A Private School Affidavit (PSA) is a form California parents file to legally homeschool. By submitting it, they declare they're running a private school from home.
Research from the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) shows that homeschooled students typically score 15 to 25 percentile points higher than public school students on standardized academic achievement tests. As of 2024, 12 states have enacted universal or near-universal Education Savings Account (ESA) programs, with Arizona's program alone serving over 75,000 students — making state-funded homeschooling more accessible than ever (EdChoice, 2024).
What’s a private school affidavit?
A Private School Affidavit, or PSA, is how California lets you homeschool legally. Each year, you file this form to declare that you're running a private school from your home. This isn’t asking for permission. It’s just a heads-up that you’re already homeschooling. The California Department of Education doesn’t check or approve your school; they just want to know it exists. By filing, your kids don’t have to go to public school as required by Education Code Section 48222.
How the PSA stands out
California has four ways to homeschool, but the PSA offers the most freedom. If you choose a charter school program, you might get $2,000-$3,000 for curriculum, but you’ll have to do state testing. With the PSA, you keep complete control over your educational choices. You won’t get any funding, but you also won’t have to attend mandatory meetings or take standardized tests. For families with strong beliefs about education—be it religious, classical, or unschooling—the PSA’s independence is a big plus.
What records to keep
You’ll want to keep some important documents at home. First, maintain an attendance register to track school days and any absences. Next, have a simple overview of your courses of study, like a curriculum summary. Also, keep basic faculty records, which usually means just you. Don’t forget immunization records for your kids. You don’t submit these unless asked, but having them organized is wise in case any questions come up.
Privacy benefits
Here’s a nice perk: if you have five or fewer students, your school info won’t show up in the California Department of Education’s public directory. To find it, someone would need to visit the Sacramento office. For families who value privacy along with educational freedom, this is a great way to stay compliant with California laws while protecting your information.
The bottom line
The Private School Affidavit gives California families a way to homeschool with maximum freedom. You give up state funding and support, but you gain total control over your curriculum, schedule, and teaching methods. If you feel confident in guiding your kids' education and can handle the paperwork, the PSA offers incredible flexibility. Just remember to file it every year by October and keep your records handy if your homeschool is ever questioned.
