Accredited private online schools give Georgia families a flexible, teacher-led alternative to traditional classroom instruction for students in grades 6 through 12.
These programs pair certified educators with small class sizes, issue recognized transcripts and diplomas, and operate outside the public school system entirely.
For families across the Peach State who are looking for something their local district doesn't provide, whether that's scheduling flexibility, a more personalized academic environment, or simply a better fit, private online education is a real and accessible path.
Georgia's regulatory approach to private education is notably hands-off. The state doesn't require private schools to be accredited, licensed, registered, or approved.
That freedom gives families wide latitude to choose, but it also makes it essential to understand what separates a well-run, accredited program from one that offers little structure or accountability. Here's how private online schooling works in Georgia and what to look for before enrolling.
Under Georgia's compulsory attendance law (O.C.G.A. Section 20-2-690.1), children between ages 6 and 16 must be enrolled in a public school, private school, or home study program. Beyond that age range, attendance is no longer mandatory, though students should remain enrolled through the completion of high school to receive a diploma.
Georgia imposes very few requirements on private schools. There is no state registration, no licensing, no required curriculum, and no mandate for teacher certification. Private schools must meet health and safety standards and comply with the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, but the Georgia Department of Education does not oversee or regulate private school academics. Accreditation is entirely voluntary.
That low level of regulation means the state isn't vetting online private schools on a family's behalf. The responsibility falls to parents to verify that a program is accredited, that it delivers real instruction, and that its diplomas and transcripts will be recognized by colleges and employers.
Most Georgia families who enroll a child in a private online school based outside the state do so under the home study framework. Georgia's home study law requires the parent or legal guardian to file a Declaration of Intent (DOI) with the Georgia Department of Education within 30 days of starting the program and by September 1 each year after that.
The DOI is straightforward. It includes the names and ages of enrolled students, the address of the home study program, and the 12-month period being used as the school year. Parents or guardians must hold at least a high school diploma or GED to serve as the supervising instructor, though they can also employ a qualified tutor.
Georgia's home study requirements also include 180 instructional days per year with a minimum of 4.5 hours of instruction per day. The curriculum must cover five core subjects: reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science. Students must take a nationally standardized test at least every three years beginning at the end of third grade, and parents must write an annual progress assessment for each child. Test results and progress reports don't get submitted to the state. They're kept in the family's personal records.
Compared to a state like New York, which requires quarterly reporting and annual assessments submitted to the school district, Georgia's paperwork is relatively light. The online school handles curriculum, instruction, grading, and transcripts. The parent's main administrative task is filing the annual DOI and maintaining records.
Because Georgia exercises almost no oversight over private schools, accreditation becomes the most important indicator of quality a family can look for. Without it, there's no external verification that the school meets recognized academic standards, that credits will transfer, or that the diploma will carry weight.
Accreditation from a recognized body like Cognia (which incorporates the former SACS CASI) confirms that a school has been independently evaluated against rigorous standards for curriculum, instruction, and institutional integrity. For Georgia families, this matters for several practical reasons. Credits from Cognia-accredited schools transfer to public schools under Georgia DOE Rule 160-5-1-.15 on the same basis as credits from another public school. The Georgia Board of Regents recognizes graduates of accredited private schools for admission to any institution in the University System of Georgia on the same basis as public school graduates. And the HOPE Scholarship program recognizes graduates of schools accredited through bodies approved by the Georgia Private School Accreditation Council (GAPSAC).
Score Academy Online holds dual Cognia and SACS CASI accreditation and is NCAA Approved, meaning student athletes can use their coursework to meet collegiate eligibility requirements. Classes run from one-on-one up to six students, every instructor is a certified teacher, and each student receives an individualized education plan. That structure matters, because accreditation confirms the institution meets standards, but small class sizes and personal attention are what drive daily academic progress.
Let's say you're a family in Savannah, Marietta, or a smaller community in south Georgia. Your 8th grader has outgrown the local middle school academically and is bored, or your 11th grader is training full-time in a competitive sport and can't maintain a traditional school schedule.
At a school like Score Academy Online, the student logs in to live, scheduled class sessions led by a certified teacher. The class is small, typically no more than six students, so there's real interaction, not just passive screen time. The student completes assignments, participates in discussions, and receives individualized feedback. The school manages grading, transcripts, and report cards. At the end of the program, the student graduates with an accredited diploma.
This is different from a self-paced program where the student works through modules alone. The teacher-led structure keeps students engaged and accountable, and a 2021 meta-analysis published in Education and Information Technologies found that online instruction produced a moderate positive effect on academic achievement (effect size of 0.409) when teachers were actively involved in designing and delivering instruction. (Full study here.)
In 2024, Georgia passed the Promise Scholarship Act (SB 233), creating the state's first Education Savings Account program. For the 2025-26 academic year, eligible students can receive up to $6,500 annually to cover private school tuition, tutoring, curriculum materials, therapy services, and other qualified education expenses. Funds are disbursed quarterly through an online account managed by the Georgia Education Savings Authority.
Eligibility is limited. Students must be zoned to attend a public school in the lowest-performing 25 percent of Georgia schools, must have been enrolled in a Georgia public school for at least two consecutive FTE counts (roughly one academic year) or be a rising kindergartener, and the family's income must not exceed 400 percent of the federal poverty level. Active-duty military families have the residency requirement waived.
The Promise Scholarship won't cover the full cost of most private online school tuition, but for families who qualify, it can meaningfully offset the expense. Over 250 private schools have been approved to participate, and the program accepts applications on a quarterly basis through the portal at mygeorgiapromise.org. It's worth checking eligibility even if you're unsure, since the application process is straightforward.
Georgia also has a separate Private School Tax Credit program, which allows individuals and corporations to receive tax credits for donations to Student Scholarship Organizations (SSOs). Those SSOs then provide scholarships to families for private school tuition. Schools must be accredited by a state-approved agency and physically located in Georgia to participate.
Georgia families come to online school for a wide range of reasons. Student athletes who need flexible scheduling. Teens in the performing arts or entertainment industry. Students dealing with anxiety, bullying, or social challenges that make traditional school counterproductive. Families who travel frequently or are stationed at military installations like Fort Moore, Robins Air Force Base, or Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base.
Georgia's public school landscape also plays a role. The state has strong districts in some metro Atlanta suburbs and university towns, but rural areas and some urban neighborhoods face significant resource gaps. A private online school gives families access to accredited, college-prep instruction regardless of where in the state they live.
Getting started involves a few clear steps. First, if your child is currently in a public or private school, formally withdraw them. Next, file a Declaration of Intent with the Georgia Department of Education, either online through the GaDOE portal or by mail. Then complete the enrollment process with the online school you've selected.
Once enrolled, you'll maintain attendance records and an annual progress report, and arrange standardized testing every three years beginning after third grade. Your online school provides the curriculum, instruction, and academic documentation you need for those records.
Score Academy Online offers rolling enrollment, so Georgia families can start at any point during the year. That flexibility is especially helpful for families making a mid-year transition or whose circumstances change unexpectedly.
Does Georgia require private online schools to be accredited? No. Georgia has no accreditation, registration, or licensing requirement for private schools. That makes independent accreditation from a recognized body like Cognia the most important credential for families to verify before enrolling.
What paperwork does Georgia require for home study students? Parents must file a Declaration of Intent with the Georgia Department of Education within 30 days of starting the program and by September 1 each subsequent year. They must also maintain attendance records, arrange standardized testing every three years starting after third grade, and write an annual progress assessment. Test results and progress reports are kept in the family's personal files rather than submitted to the state.
Can Georgia Promise Scholarship funds be used for private online school tuition? The Promise Scholarship can be used for tuition at participating private schools. Eligibility is limited to students zoned to attend schools in the lowest-performing 25 percent, and the maximum award is $6,500 per year. Families can check eligibility at mygeorgiapromise.org.
Will colleges in Georgia accept a diploma from an accredited private online school? Yes. The Georgia Board of Regents recognizes graduates of accredited private schools for admission to University System of Georgia institutions on the same basis as public school graduates. Accredited diplomas are also recognized for HOPE Scholarship eligibility through GAPSAC-approved accrediting bodies.
Is online school a good option for student athletes in Georgia? Absolutely. Online school allows athletes to train and compete without missing instruction. Programs that are NCAA Approved, like Score Academy Online, ensure coursework also meets eligibility requirements for collegiate athletics.
How much does private online school cost for Georgia families? Tuition varies by program. Score Academy Online's annual tuition is approximately $15,000, with additional registration and technology fees. The Georgia Promise Scholarship ($6,500 max) and the Private School Tax Credit program may help offset costs for qualifying families.
New York families can access accredited private online education for grades 6-12, here's how it works under state law and what to look for.
California families are turning to private online schools for flexible, accredited education in grades 6-12. Here's how to choose the right one.
Explore accredited private online school options in Texas for grades 6-12. Learn about programs, accreditation, flexibility, and how to choose the right fit.