Thousands of families in Pennsylvania are successfully home schooling their children. While each family will find its own situation unique, requiring different schedules, curriculum, and teaching styles, there are a few things which can help any family get off to a good start.

(1) Read the law

(2) We recommend that you join the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA). If you are taking your children out of their current school to begin home schooling, you should join HSLDA before you withdraw your children from their current school. If you are beginning home schooling with a child entering kindergarten or first grade, who has never attended another elementary school, you should join HSLDA at the beginning of the school year in which your child will turn six years old.

HSLDA is currently the only full-time attorney-staffed organization, which assures you of immediate and thorough representation by an attorney with expertise in this area of law from the very beginning of any legal challenges to your home education. There is no in-state or out-of-state school or educational program available to private Pennsylvania home schoolers which offers absolute legal protection. Other than HSLDA, there are no legal protection programs/plans which guarantee expert attorney representation to families for all legal contacts related to their home education. HSLDA has been at the center of defending our freedom to home school in Pennsylvania.

(3) Do your homework! Many parents have already found the answers to the questions you are likely facing. Much research has been done on home education and it is unnecessary for each family to discover all the intricacies on their own. Read what others have already discovered!

There are also many excellent books available on the philosophy and history of home education, learning styles, choosing curriculum. home schooling teens, adapting to the home school lifestyle, etc. Send away for catalogs from home education publishers, and attend curriculum fairs.

(4) Join a local home school group which meets in your community. Whether you need encouragement, help with record keeping, or just a chance to find friends for your children, there is likely a group of home schoolers who can help in your own city right now.

(5) Keep up on the trends and news affecting home education. Attend conventions and curriculum fairs, subscribe to a home school magazine or two, and join CHAP. Keeping in touch with the home school community will help you know what current laws are and how to comply with them and what new materials are available to home educators.

(6) Be sure to find an evaluator early in the school year. Check out our list to help you find an evaluator in your area.

(7) Read the Law | Affidavit | Medical Form | Dental Form | CHAP on the Law | more forms | PDE FAQ