Pennsylvania has detailed homeschool requirements — an annual affidavit, grade-specific required subjects, 180 school days, and an annual portfolio review by a qualified evaluator. Here is everything PA families need to know in 2026.
Pennsylvania Homeschool Requirements (2026)
Pennsylvania has one of the more detailed homeschool law structures in the US, governed by Pennsylvania's Home Education Law (Act 169). The law is specific but manageable — file an affidavit each year, document 180 days of instruction, cover required subjects by grade level, and have a qualified evaluator review your portfolio annually. Understanding each step makes Pennsylvania compliance straightforward.
📋 Step 1 — File Annual Affidavit with Superintendent
File a notarized affidavit with the local school superintendent before you begin homeschooling for the first time, then by August 1 each year
The affidavit includes: your name and address, the child's name and age, educational objectives by subject, proof of immunization or exemption and of required health services, and the certifications the law requires (including one about criminal convictions)
The teaching parent must have a high school diploma or its equivalent
Re-file the affidavit every year — Pennsylvania requires annual re-filing
Keep a copy of all affidavits filed
📚 Required Subjects by Grade Level
Grades K–3: English (reading, writing, spelling), arithmetic, science, geography, safety, health, physical education, music, and art
Grades 4–6: All K–3 subjects plus Pennsylvania history and US history
Grades 7–8: All Grade 4–6 subjects plus civics, world history, and economics
Pennsylvania's required subject list grows with each grade band. You choose the curriculum, materials, and teaching methods. Lumi covers the core academic subjects; history, civics, economics, and music can be covered with additional resources or co-op classes.
📅 School Days Requirement
Pennsylvania requires 180 days of instruction per year, or 900 hours (elementary) / 990 hours (secondary)
No minimum daily hour requirement is specified by PA law
Keep a daily attendance log — this is part of your required portfolio documentation
Instruction can take place any day of the week, any time of year
📝 Annual Portfolio Review (Required)
Pennsylvania requires an annual portfolio review by a qualified evaluator (a licensed psychologist, a state-certified teacher, or a nonpublic school teacher or administrator, each with at least two years of experience)
The portfolio must include: a log of educational activities and samples of the child's work in each required subject
Standardized testing is required in grades 3, 5, and 8, using a nationally normed test approved by the PA Department of Education (or the statewide public school test); a parent or guardian cannot administer it, and the math and reading/language arts results must be included in the portfolio
The evaluator reviews the portfolio and provides a written evaluation indicating whether the child has achieved an "adequate education"
The evaluation is submitted to the local superintendent annually
📁 Record-Keeping Requirements
Maintain a daily attendance log documenting school days throughout the year
Keep work samples in each required subject area for the portfolio
Save lesson logs, completed assignments, tests, and project records
Retain portfolio materials and the evaluator's written evaluation for two years
Pennsylvania's portfolio requirement means record-keeping is central to compliance
⚠️ Always verify current requirements with the Pennsylvania Department of Education (education.pa.gov) or HSLDA (hslda.org). Laws can change and this page is for general reference only. The Pennsylvania Homeschoolers Association (phaa.org) is an excellent state-specific resource.
Withdrawing from Public School in Pennsylvania
If your child is currently enrolled in a Pennsylvania public school, notify the school in writing that you are withdrawing your child to homeschool. Once withdrawn, file your notarized affidavit with the local superintendent before you begin homeschooling. Pennsylvania school districts are generally familiar with the home education law process — keep copies of all correspondence and your filed affidavit.
How Lumi Helps Pennsylvania Homeschool Families
Pennsylvania's portfolio requirement makes thorough, organized record-keeping essential. Lumi automatically generates the documentation PA families need — lesson logs, attendance records, report cards, and printable work samples — without extra planning or manual tracking.
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Core Required Subjects
Reading, Writing, Spelling, Arithmetic, Science, Geography, Health, and more — Lumi covers PA's core academic requirements across K–8 with 16+ total subjects.
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Daily Attendance Log
Lumi logs every school session automatically. Print a full attendance record at any time to document Pennsylvania's 180-day requirement for your portfolio.
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Lesson Activity Log
Timestamped records of every lesson, subject, and score — exactly the educational activity log Pennsylvania's portfolio requirement asks for.
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Printable Workbooks
Six grade-level workbooks aligned to standards. Print individual pages as work samples for each required subject area in your PA portfolio.
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Printable Report Cards
Auto-generated report cards by subject and period — useful supplemental documentation for your evaluator's annual review.
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Flat Family Price
$9.99/month for all your kids. Up to 8 learner profiles on one account. Pennsylvania families never pay per child.
Frequently Asked Questions — Homeschooling in Pennsylvania
Do I need to file paperwork with my school district to homeschool in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pennsylvania requires you to file a notarized affidavit with your local school district superintendent before beginning to homeschool for the first time. This affidavit must be re-filed each year by August 1. It includes your name and address, your child's name and age, educational objectives by subject, proof of immunization or exemption and of required health services, and the certifications the law requires (including one about criminal convictions).
Does Pennsylvania require a portfolio and certified teacher review?
Yes — this is one of Pennsylvania's most important requirements. Each year you must compile a portfolio of your child's work and have it reviewed by a qualified evaluator (a licensed psychologist, a state-certified teacher, or a nonpublic school teacher or administrator, each with at least two years of experience). Standardized testing is also required in grades 3, 5, and 8, with results included in the portfolio. The evaluator provides a written evaluation of educational progress that is submitted to the local superintendent. Lumi's lesson logs, printable workbooks, and attendance records all directly support this process.
How many school days are required in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania requires 180 days of instruction per year, or alternatively 900 hours (elementary, K-6) or 990 hours (secondary, 7-12). There is no minimum daily hour requirement in PA's home education law. Lumi's attendance tracking automatically logs every school session so you always know exactly where you stand relative to the 180-day minimum.
What subjects does Pennsylvania require at the elementary level?
For grades K through 3, Pennsylvania requires: English (reading, writing, spelling), arithmetic, science, geography, safety, health, physical education, music, and art. For grades 4 through 6, Pennsylvania history and US history are added. For grades 7 and 8, civics, world history, and economics are also required. Lumi covers the core academic subjects; PE, music, and electives can be fulfilled through other activities.
Does the teaching parent need a degree to homeschool in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania requires the teaching parent to have a high school diploma or its equivalent. No college degree or teaching certification is required. If a parent does not have a diploma or GED, there are alternative paths available under the law — consult HSLDA or phaa.org for specific guidance in this situation.
What is the best homeschool curriculum app for Pennsylvania families?
Lumi Academy is specifically well-suited for Pennsylvania because of its built-in portfolio documentation tools: automatic attendance logging for the 180-day requirement, timestamped lesson logs for educational activity records, printable workbook pages as subject work samples, and report cards to support your evaluator's review. Full K–8 curriculum across all required subjects on any device at a flat family price.
Start Homeschooling in Pennsylvania with Lumi
free 48-hour trial. Full K–8 curriculum with attendance tracking, lesson logs, workbooks, and report cards — everything PA's portfolio requires.