Affidavit or Unsworn Declaration
Affidavit requires notarization. Unsworn Declaration does not. Both are accepted and must be submitted every year.
Start Homeschooling in Pennsylvania
Paperwork, IEP guidance, and first-year essentials — all in one place.
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Good news: You do not need your district's approval to begin homeschooling. You may begin immediately. Documentation must be submitted within 10 days of starting. The deadline for returning homeschoolers is August 1.
Starting Before August 1
Submit to your superintendent: a notarized Affidavit (or Unsworn Declaration), educational objectives (K–6 or 7–12), and a Medical Services & Dental report or Exemption Form.
You can start counting school days as early as July 1 once paperwork is submitted.
Starting Mid-Year
Switching mid-year is perfectly fine. Follow the same steps, withdraw your child from their current school, begin keeping a portfolio from day one, and save samples of prior schoolwork to establish a baseline.
Start-of-Year Forms — Due August 1 for returning families
Download PDFs to your device first (rather than opening in your browser) to make them fillable. Submit to your superintendent or umbrella school.
K–6 Educational Objectives
Google will force a copy when you click — customize with your child's name or edit as desired. Submit yearly.
Copy Google Doc7–12 Educational Objectives
Also usable for special education. Objectives are not reviewed during your evaluation — you may change them anytime without documentation.
Copy Google DocMedical & Dental Reports
Print and take these to your medical and dental providers. Submit yearly unless you choose to use the exemption form instead.
Exemption Form
Only needs to be submitted once. This is often simpler than gathering medical and dental records every year.
Download Exemption FormIEP Revocation Letter (if applicable)
If your child has an active IEP and you choose to revoke it before homeschooling, use this sample letter. See the IEP Students page for pros and cons.
Open Sample Letter
IEP Students: If your child has an active IEP, educational objectives must be pre-approved before registering each year. I do this for free — send me your objectives and I'll return the approval form.
Reading Log Template
A reading log is simply a list of texts used during the year — books read independently, read-alouds, and audiobooks. Include title and author (or publisher for textbooks).
There's no minimum, but younger students typically log 30+ picture books. Use this template or document however you prefer.
Reading Log TemplateHours & Days Tracking
Elementary: 900 hours or 180 days. Secondary: 990 hours or 180 days. Most families track days.
There is no well-defined legal definition of a school day. PA courts have ruled that learning happens every day — your signed statement that you met the requirement is sufficient. I do not require attendance documentation during evaluations.
Optional: Here is a simple Attendance Sheet if you'd like to track days for your own records.
Helpful Links
- HSLDA — PA Homeschool Law Overview
- Ask Pauline — PA Forms & FAQs (no longer updated, still a great reference)
- Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool — free PA-aligned curriculum
- More curriculum & resource recommendations →
First Year?
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Not sure where to start or have questions about your specific situation? I'm happy to help.