Compliance at a glance
- Regulation level: high-regulation
- Notice of intent: Required — annual, By August 1 (or before beginning the program).
- Instruction minimum: Instruction minimum varies by grade level — see the official source.
- Record retention: Permanent — Annual affidavit, Portfolios, Evaluator certifications, Standardized test results.
Reporting requirements
- June 30 of each year: An evaluator interviews the child and reviews the portfolio (reading log, work samples, and grade 3/5/8 test results), then writes a certification. Only that certification goes to the superintendent by June 30; the portfolio stays with the family (Act 196 of 2014). Evaluators: a licensed psychologist, a PA-certified teacher with 2 years of grading experience at that level, a nonpublic-school teacher or administrator with 2 years of PA experience at that level in the last 10 years, or another person with the superintendent’s prior consent — never the supervisor or their spouse.
- Grades 3, 5, and 8 — kept in the portfolio: PSSA or a PDE-approved nationally normed test in grades 3, 5, and 8. Results go in the portfolio and are not reported to the district; the evaluator’s certification notes that the test was taken.
Required subjects
Elementary: English (including spelling, reading, writing), Mathematics, Science, Geography, Social Studies (history of US, PA, world), Civics, Health, Physical Education, Music, Art, Safety education (including fire prevention). Middle: English, Literature, Speech and composition, Mathematics, Science, Geography, Social Studies, Civics, Health, Physical Education, Music, Art. High: English (4 years), Mathematics (3 years), Science (3 years), Social Studies (3 years), Health (1 course), Physical Education, Arts / humanities (2 courses).
The details
Pennsylvania is one of the most regulated homeschool states. The August 1 affidavit is filed with an outline of education objectives by subject, proof of immunization, and health and medical records. Instruction is 180 days, or 900 hours (K–6) / 990 hours (7–12). Each June 30 only the evaluator’s certification is submitted; the portfolio stays home. A diploma requires meeting the subject requirements through grade 12.
Pennsylvania official homeschool authority → (Summary, not legal advice — confirm current rules with the official source or your state homeschool organization.)
What a Pennsylvania-acceptable transcript includes
- Homeschool (school) name + supervising parent.
- Student name, date of birth, anticipated graduation date.
- Courses by year — subject, credits, grades on the 4.0 scale.
- Cumulative GPA (unweighted at minimum; weighted if relevant).
- Grading-scale legend + parent signature and date.
Our free transcript builder produces a transcript that meets Pennsylvania's expectations out of the box — no account needed for the watermarked preview.
Questions Pennsylvania families ask
Does Pennsylvania require a specific homeschool transcript format?
No — Pennsylvania does not mandate a transcript format. Parent-issued homeschool transcripts are the norm. Pennsylvania does require a notice of intent (annual, By August 1 (or before beginning the program)).
What homeschool records should I keep in Pennsylvania?
Keep records for as long as you homeschool (permanent): Annual affidavit, Portfolios, Evaluator certifications, Standardized test results. Instruction minimum varies by grade level — see the official source. A complete transcript, gradebook, and attendance log cover most of this.
Will Pennsylvania colleges accept a parent-issued transcript?
Yes. In-state public universities accept parent-issued homeschool transcripts, typically alongside test scores or course validation. A clean, GPA-calculated transcript on a consistent format is what they expect.