Education Choices in Georgia

Choosing the right educational setting for your child can be overwhelming. To help you navigate the many K-12 options in Georgia, we’ve created this guide outlining the major public, private and alternative education opportunities available to families across the state.

🎓 Charter Schools

Charter schools are free public schools open to all eligible students. They offer a different approach to public education by giving teachers more flexibility to innovate and meet students’ individual needs. Charter schools aim to prepare students for college, careers, and life.

👉 View a list of Georgia charter schools and the areas they serve.

🔁 Open Enrollment

Open enrollment allows families to transfer their child to a different public school, including schools in another district. In Georgia, this is allowed if the receiving district approves the transfer and has available space.

Policies vary by district, and some do not accept out-of-district students.

📞 Contact the school or district you’re interested in for transfer procedures.

💻 Read about the current state of open enrollment in Georgia.

🍎 Georgia Promise Scholarship

The Georgia Promise Scholarship provides eligible families with up to $6,500 per year for approved educational expenses. Funds can be used for:

  • Private school tuition
  • Homeschooling
  • Curriculum and supplies
  • Tutoring and more

To qualify, students must live in an eligible school attendance zone and either be entering kindergarten or have been enrolled in a public school.

👉 Learn more and check eligibility.

🏫 Tax Credit Scholarship

Georgia’s Tax Credit Scholarship Program provides scholarships for students to attend private schools. These are funded by Student Scholarship Organizations (SSOs), which receive tax-credit donations from individuals and businesses.

📞 Contact the private school or an SSO to apply.

 👉 See a list of approved SSOs here.

🧩 Special Needs Scholarship

The Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Program supports students with an IEP or 504 plan, allowing them to attend private schools or access services like:

  • Physical therapy
  • Speech therapy
  • Occupational therapy

👉 More on eligibility and how to apply.

🏠 Homeschooling

Homeschooling is legal in Georgia, with light requirements for parents. Parents must:

  • Submit a Declaration of Intent to the Georgia Department of Education within 30 days of starting and annually by September 1
  • Teach for the equivalent of 180 school days
  • Cover core subjects: reading, language arts, math, social studies, and science
  • Administer a standardized test every three years beginning in 3rd grade

Please note that these regulations have no reporting requirements attached, except for the Declaration of Intent. 

👉 View homeschooling rules here.

👩‍🏫 Microschools

Microschools are small, community-based learning environments—typically serving fewer than 20 students. They blend the best aspects of homeschooling, private education, and small-group learning.

Microschools often focus on:

  • Personalized instruction
  • Mastery-based learning
  • Project-based activities
  • Flexible, values-aligned education

 👉 Explore microschools or learn how to start one.

💻 Online Learning

Georgia offers several free, full-time online public school options, including:

  • Georgia Connections Academy (K–12)
  • Georgia Cyber Academy (K–12)
  • Destinations Career Academy of Georgia (Grades 6–10)

The Georgia Virtual School provides online courses (mainly high school, some middle school), including:

  • Credit recovery
  • Advanced courses
  • Dual enrollment options

💡 Public school students can enroll for free; private/homeschool students may be eligible for state-funded spots.

Final Tip

Whether you’re exploring new school models or seeking flexibility and values alignment, Georgia offers a variety of options to help families find the right fit for their children.