Gallop Learning Academy
Start free, no card

Pennsylvania homeschool requirements

Last checked October 2026. This is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. Your school district and evaluator have the final say.

Ways to homeschool in Pennsylvania

Most families use the home education program under 24 P.S. 13-1327.1. Other options are a certified private tutor or a religious day school.

What you file, and when

A notarized affidavit to your district superintendent before you start, then every year by August 1. It lists the supervising parent, each child's name and age, your address and phone, an outline of your education objectives by subject, and health and immunization records.

Subjects

Elementary: English (spelling, reading, writing), arithmetic, science, geography, US and Pennsylvania history, civics, safety and fire prevention, health, physical education, music and art. Secondary adds language, literature, speech and composition, world history, algebra and geometry.

Days or hours

180 days, or 900 hours in elementary and 990 hours in secondary.

The portfolio

Keep a log made as you go that names the books and materials you used, samples of your child's work, and test results in grades 3, 5 and 8.

Testing and the annual evaluation

In grades 3, 5 and 8, your child takes a nationally normed test in reading and math, given by someone other than you. Every year, a qualified evaluator interviews your child and reviews the portfolio, and their certification goes to the district by June 30.

Where Gallop fits

Gallop's Records report prints, for each child and any date range, the days and minutes they worked, the subjects covered, each skill mastered with its date, and sample questions your child answered correctly. Minutes count time in Gallop only, not all of your teaching. Most parents add it to their own records rather than using it as their only record.

Read more

FAQ

Can a printed Gallop report go in my portfolio?

Yes, as part of it. You still keep your own log, and your evaluator decides what the portfolio shows.

Does Gallop count toward my 180 days?

Time in Gallop is part of your teaching day. Days and hours are yours to track, and the Records report shows the days and minutes your child worked in Gallop.

Can I try it first?

Yes. Try 7 sample questions, or start the 7-day free trial. No card needed.

Try 7 sample questionsStart the 7-day free trial

Sources