Homeschooling in California is flexible and offers several options. You can educate your kids at home using the Private School Affidavit or join a charter program. It’s important to understand the legal requirements and available resources.
California is home to approximately 200,000 homeschooled students, making it one of the active homeschooling communities in the nation (NCES estimates, 2023). 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).
California homeschool options
California has four ways for you to homeschool. Most families prefer the Private School Affidavit (PSA) because it's simple and offers lots of freedom.
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Private School Affidavit (PSA): You register your home as a private school by filing an affidavit with the state. This gives you total freedom in curriculum, with no testing or oversight. You are the teacher and administrator.
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Private School Satellite Program (PSP): Join a private school that supports home education. They handle the affidavit for you and might offer help with curriculum, records, and transcripts. You still teach but have some support. Fees usually run between $200 and $400 a year.
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Public Charter or Independent Study Program: Sign up for a public program designed for home learning. These programs give you funding ($2,200-$3,800 a year) for materials but require more oversight, like regular meetings and assessments. You can't include religious instruction during school hours.
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Credentialed Private Tutor: Hire a California-credentialed teacher for instruction. This option requires 3 hours of teaching each day, for 175 days a year, in the hours of 8 AM to 4 PM. It's less popular because of strict rules.
Getting started with homeschooling
Filing the Private School Affidavit (PSA) is pretty straightforward, but it’s good to know what to expect.
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When to file: You can file your affidavit from October 1-15 each year, but if you're starting mid-year, submit it anytime from August 1 to June 30.
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What you need to provide: You'll need your school name (your home address), contact info, student grade levels, staff names, and who keeps records. It takes about 15-30 minutes if you have everything ready.
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What filing means: Filing doesn’t mean the state approves your school. You’re just registering your school name and address, which becomes public.
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After filing: You’ll get a confirmation email. That’s it—no visits or reviews. Renew your filing every year during the same October window.
Required subjects and curriculum
California expects private schools to teach certain subjects—just like public schools do. But you don’t have to teach every subject every year.
Required subjects for grades 1-6:
- English (reading, writing, spelling, composition, handwriting)
- Math (concepts, operations, problem-solving)
- Social Sciences (history, geography, civics, economics)
- Science (biological, physical, earth sciences)
- Arts (visual and performing)
- Health
- Physical Education
Important points:
- You choose the curriculum—no state approval needed.
- No grades or progress reports go to the state.
- Instruction must be in English.
- For grades 7-12, the same subjects apply.
Record-keeping requirements
California has minimal record-keeping rules, which makes things easier for you.
Legally required:
- Attendance records (mark absences only)
- List of courses you offer
- Faculty info (names, addresses, qualifications)
- A copy of your filed PSA
Recommended (but not required):
- Work samples and portfolios
- Grades and report cards
- Daily logs
- Curriculum documentation
Practical tip: Just keep a simple attendance record showing when school isn’t in session or when your child is absent. Keep a list of subjects you offer and your PSA confirmation. That covers the legal side. For high schoolers, keep detailed records of courses, grades, and credits for transcripts and college applications.
High school, graduation & beyond
In California, private schools, including home-based ones, set their own graduation rules and diplomas. There’s no state list of required courses for PSA homeschoolers.
Creating transcripts: You make your own format for transcripts, showing courses, grades, and credits. Many families use Carnegie Units—120-190 hours equals one credit.
Diplomas: As the head of your private school, you issue diplomas. No state approval is needed for graduation.
College admission: UC and CSU schools accept homeschoolers. If your school isn’t accredited, you may need to provide extra proof of your child’s abilities through tests or portfolios.
A-G requirements: UC schools have specific coursework requirements. PSA schools can self-certify A-G completion, but without accreditation, extra documentation may be needed. You can also consider AP exams or community college to validate coursework.
CHSPE alternative: The California High School Proficiency Exam lets students 16 or older earn a certificate equal to a diploma.
Funding: What California offers
California doesn’t provide funding for PSA or PSP homeschoolers, which can be frustrating for families who pay tax but get no financial help.
What’s NOT available:
- No Education Savings Accounts
- No tax credits for homeschool expenses
- No vouchers for private education
What IS available (with conditions):
- Public charter/independent study programs offer $2,200-$3,800 a year for approved curriculum. But you have to give up PSA independence, face more oversight, and can’t include religious instruction during school hours.
Funding trade-off: Many families choose the freedom of the PSA over funding, preferring to buy their materials without the extra rules.
Proposed legislation: A new initiative could create ESAs offering about $17,000 per student not enrolled in public school, starting in 2027-28. This is still pending voter approval.
Sports and extracurricular access
California doesn’t have a law guaranteeing homeschoolers access to public sports. CIF Rule 305 usually keeps homeschool students off public school teams unless they’re full-time students.
Current options:
- Public independent study enrollment: If you join a public charter or independent study program, you can participate in sports at partner schools.
- Homeschool sports leagues: Groups like California Home School Sports offer sports for homeschoolers.
- Community programs: Look for leagues at places like YMCA, club sports, or recreational teams.
- District discretion: Some districts might allow homeschool participation in non-CIF activities, but this is rare.
This lack of access is a real issue for many homeschool families in California. You'll need to weigh your options between PSA independence and sports participation.
Special situations
A few special situations to consider:
- Kindergarten: Attendance is mandatory starting at age 6. If your child is under 6, you don’t need to file a PSA.
- Mid-year withdrawal: You can start homeschooling anytime. Just file your PSA right away. Send a withdrawal letter to the current school (certified mail is best). They can’t ask for PSA proof first.
- School pushback: Some school officials might not understand private education laws. You don’t have to share curriculum info or test results. Direct them to the CDE’s private school info page if needed.
- Special needs: PSA homeschoolers don’t get IEP services, which need public school enrollment. You can ask for an evaluation through your local district’s Child Find program. If your child needs IEP support, joining a charter school may help you keep those services while homeschooling.
- Moving to California: File your PSA when you move and start homeschooling. Keep records from your previous state to support your child’s grade level.
The bottom line
Homeschooling in California is simpler than it looks. Just file a Private School Affidavit, offer the required subjects, and keep basic records, and you're set. No testing or credential requirements needed—California offers real educational freedom.
The key decision: Choose between PSA independence and charter program funding. Many families pick the freedom of the PSA, choosing to fund their own curriculum. If funding is more important, charter programs can provide financial support but with added oversight.
First step: Decide on PSA/PSP independence or charter enrollment. Then file your affidavit (or charter application) and start teaching. The California homeschool community is strong, and you'll find plenty of support and resources.
