Homeschooling in California: An Overview
California doesn't have a specific "homeschool statute." There's no law that directly mentions home education. Instead, California families homeschool by operating within one of four existing legal frameworks. This can feel confusing at first, but once you understand the options, it's very manageable.
The key thing to know: in California, you must choose one of these four paths. Simply keeping your child home without following one of them could be considered truancy.
Option 1: File a Private School Affidavit (PSA)
This is the most popular option for California homeschoolers. You establish your home as a private school by filing a Private School Affidavit with the California Department of Education.
How it Works
- File the Private School Affidavit online between October 1 and October 15 each year (you can file late, but the window is the official period).
- The affidavit asks for basic information: school name, address, number and ages of students, and the name of the person "in charge."
- There is no approval process. Filing the affidavit is a notification, not a request for permission.
Requirements Under a PSA
Once you've filed your affidavit, your homeschool is legally considered a private school. California Education Code Section 48222 requires private schools to:
- Offer instruction in the required branches: English, mathematics, social sciences, science, health, fine arts, and physical education (for grades 1-6), plus additional subjects for grades 7-12.
- Keep an attendance register: a record of enrollment and attendance.
- Maintain records of criminal background checks for all employees (in a homeschool, this effectively means the teaching parent).
- The instructor must be "capable of teaching". There is no credentialing requirement. California courts have upheld that parents are capable instructors.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Maximum independence. You choose your own curriculum, schedule, and methods. No testing required. No oversight from the school district.
Cons: You're responsible for all record keeping. There's no institutional support unless you seek it out. Some parents feel the annual affidavit process is intimidating (though it's actually quite simple).
Option 2: Use a Private Tutor
Under California Education Code Section 48224, you can hire a private tutor for your child, or serve as the tutor yourself if you hold a valid California teaching credential.
Requirements
- The tutor must hold a valid California teaching credential for the grades being taught.
- Instruction must be in English in the required subjects.
- Instruction must occur for at least three hours per day between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. for 175 days per year.
Who Uses This Option?
This option is relatively uncommon because of the credentialing requirement. However, it can be ideal for parents who happen to hold a California teaching credential, or families who hire a credentialed tutor for part or all of their instruction.
Option 3: Enroll in a Private School ISP (Independent Study Program)
Some private schools offer satellite or independent study programs specifically designed for homeschoolers. Your child enrolls in the private school, but you teach at home using the school's curriculum or your own (depending on the program).
How it Works
- Your child is legally enrolled in the private school. The school files the PSA and handles administrative requirements.
- The school provides varying levels of support: some offer full curriculum, teacher oversight, and transcripts; others are more hands-off.
- Many ISPs charge tuition, ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per year.
Pros and Cons
Pros: The school handles the legal paperwork. Many provide curriculum, transcripts, and a built-in community. Good option if you want some structure and support.
Cons: Less independence than filing your own PSA. Tuition costs. You may be required to follow the school's curriculum or assessment schedule.
Option 4: Enroll in a Public School ISP (Charter Homeschool)
California's public charter schools offer independent study programs for homeschoolers. Your child is enrolled in a public school but learns at home.
How it Works
- Your child enrolls in a public charter school's homeschool program.
- The school assigns an Education Specialist (ES) who meets with you regularly (usually monthly) to review progress and plan instruction.
- The school provides funding for curriculum and materials, typically $2,000 to $3,200 per student per year in vendor funds.
- Your child may need to take state standardized tests (CAASPP) since they're technically enrolled in a public school.
Popular Charter Homeschool Programs
Several California charters are well known in the homeschool community:
- Valley View Charter Prep
- Sky Mountain Charter
- Inspire Charter Schools
- Sage Oak Charter School
- **iLead Exploration
Pros and Cons
Pros: Free. Vendor funds for curriculum and activities. Support from an assigned teacher. Transcripts and records handled by the school.
Cons: Must comply with public school regulations (including standardized testing). Less curricular freedom; materials purchased with vendor funds must be secular. Regular meetings and accountability to the charter school. Some programs have waitlists.
Which Option Should You Choose?
Here's a quick decision framework:
- Want maximum freedom and independence? File your own PSA (Option 1).
- Have a teaching credential or want to hire a credentialed tutor? Option 2 could work.
- Want administrative support with a private school affiliation? Look into a private school ISP (Option 3).
- Want free curriculum funding and don't mind some oversight? A public charter ISP (Option 4) is worth exploring.
Many families start with a charter school (Option 4) for the funding and support, then transition to filing their own PSA (Option 1) once they feel more confident.
Required Subjects in California
Regardless of which option you choose, California expects instruction in the following subjects:
Grades 1-6
- English (reading, writing, spelling, handwriting)
- Mathematics
- Social sciences (history, geography, civics)
- Science
- Health
- Fine arts (art, music, dance, or drama)
- Physical education
Grades 7-12
All of the above, plus:
- Foreign language (or fine arts) for at least one year
- Applied arts (career technical education)
- Additional math and science requirements for high school graduation
Record Keeping in California
Your record-keeping obligations depend on your option:
- PSA filers: Must maintain an attendance register and keep records of curriculum and student progress. No reporting to the state is required.
- Private tutor: Must maintain records of instruction hours and subjects.
- Private school ISP: The school typically handles records, but you should keep your own copies.
- Charter ISP: The charter school maintains official records. Your ES will guide you on what to document.
Regardless of your option, keep these records:
- Attendance log (dates and hours of instruction)
- Curriculum and materials list
- Work samples from each subject
- Grades and progress reports (especially for high school)
Hearthstone Ed makes California homeschool record keeping simple. Log attendance, track curriculum, and store work samples all in one place.
Testing Requirements
- PSA and private school ISP: No standardized testing is required.
- Private tutor: No testing required.
- Charter ISP: Your child will likely need to participate in CAASPP testing since they're enrolled in a public school.
High School Graduation and College
California homeschool students can earn a diploma from their private school (if using a PSA or ISP). There is no state-issued homeschool diploma.
For college admissions:
- UC and CSU systems accept homeschool applicants. You'll need to submit transcripts, course descriptions, and SAT/ACT scores. Some courses may need to be approved through the UC a-g course list or validated through standardized test scores.
- Community colleges: California's community college system is very accessible. Students can enroll at age 16 (or younger with special permission) through concurrent enrollment.
- Private universities: Each sets its own admission criteria for homeschoolers.
Getting Started in California
- Choose your legal option. Research all four and decide which fits your family.
- File your PSA (if using Option 1) during the October filing window, or enroll in your chosen program.
- Select your curriculum and gather materials.
- Set up your record-keeping system. Start your attendance log on day one.
- Connect with California homeschool groups. HSC (Homeschool Association of California) is a great starting point.
California's homeschool landscape can seem complicated, but once you choose your path, it becomes routine. Thousands of California families homeschool successfully every year, and you can too.
Ready to simplify the paperwork? Hearthstone Ed helps California homeschool families track compliance, manage records, and focus on what matters: teaching your kids.