HOMESCHOOLING IN CALIFORNIA & HOMESCHOOL LAWS
You may be considering homeschooling your children in California, but don’t know where to start regarding state regulations and requirements. This guide will walk you through what you need to know to successfully set up your own program legally in California. We’ll cover the history of homeschooling in California, current homeschool laws in California, required notifications and filings, curriculum and testing choices, high school transcripts, and special education services.
History of Homeschooling in California
While a small number of students were homeschooled in California in the 1970s, the modern home schooling movement expanded greatly throughout the 1980s and 1990s partially bolstered by the rise of personal computers and educational software which made home education much more accessible.
The state law regarding homeschooling remained unresolved in California until an important 2008 state appeals court case, Jonathan L v. The Superior Court. This ruling affirmed the rights pf parents to home school children as home based private schools under the state law Education Code, provided they submit an annual private school affidavit, offer an approved course of study, and maintain attendance records – overturning previous ambiguity and cementing homeschooling as an accepted practice.
Current California Homeschool Laws and Regulations
California considers legitimate homeschools to be private schools under California homeschool laws Education Code Section 33190. As such, the compulsory attendance laws require kids ages 6-18 to attend public or state-registered private school or home based private school full-time until graduation from high school.
To comply with California homeschool laws, homeschooling parents must file a private school affidavit when starting out, update it annually, submit it when moving, and be prepared in the event of an audit to provide detailed record keeping showing the following records: enrollment, attendance, curriculum topics, lessons, grades, texts used, time spent in study, and course descriptions.
Beyond affidavits and compliance documents, homeschools are given near complete autonomy over scheduling, homeschool curriculum, teaching methods, grades, and other educational decisions per California homeschool laws. Homeschools are not required to follow state educational teaching standards, administer standardized testing, or report on achievement metrics beyond their own internal tracking in compliance with homeschooling education laws in California. No California teaching credential is necessary to teach one’s own children under California homeschool laws.
No formal structures exist within California’s homeschooling rules to screen students for disabilities, perform specialized assessments, or coordinate individualized special education services plans (IEPs) requiring additional instruction from credentialed staff. A parent fully shoulders meeting all accommodation needs.
How to Set Up a Homeschool In California
To learn how to homeschool in California, parents can choose between filing a private school affidavit, joining a private school satellite program, or enrolling in a public charter school’s independent study program in accordance with homeschooling laws in California.
To establish a legitimate private homeschool in California under California homeschool laws:
File a private school affidavit (R-4 form) with the state Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Submit a copy of the affidavit to your local public school district, notifying them in writing of your intent to teach your child.
Develop detailed records of attendance, subjects taught, time spent, and course descriptions. While not required for submission, these must be available in the event of an audit.
Maintain your program annually by filing an updated affidavit each school year.
If moving mid-year from out-of-state, file your private school affidavit in California before formally withdrawing your children from their previous school to prevent truancy issues.
No teaching credentials are required to homeschool in California. A parent has full discretion over homeschool curriculum and instruction methods under the homeschool law in California.
Per California homeschooling laws, parents must submit a Private School Affidavit to the state Superintendent of Public Instruction affirming your program meets all legal requirements. The affidavit consists of basic contact information and a declaration of intent to operate your homeschool as a private school.
This same form needs to be updated and resubmitted annually by September 1st prior to the start of each new school year for ongoing compliance under homeschooling in California laws. A parent moving to a new public school district must file copies of the affidavit with both their former and new district.
In addition to annual R-4 affidavits, a parent must prepare and follow an approved, written Course of Study detailing the plan of instruction for each homeschooled student per California homeschooling laws. While submitted only internally or if audited, Course of Study plans must include:
Subjects/courses scheduled to teach during the year.
Learning materials (texts, modules, etc.).
Time allocated per subject and total study hours/day.
Standardized scope and sequence by grade level if applicable.
Methods used to determine and document student attendance.
Manner of record-keeping systems used for compliance.
California homeschooling allows parents to take on the role of teaching their children across various grades, often with the support of online resources and certified teachers. Parents can opt for a personalized education approach through a private school satellite program, which operates independently but must file an affidavit with the California Department of Education.
A private school satellite program (PSP program) in California is an alternative educational arrangement that provides support and oversight for a homeschooling family and is usually one of the accredited homeschool programs in California. A satellite program is typically operated by a private school that extends their services to home-based students. They allow a homeschooling family to operate under the private school laws of California, rather than filing as an individual home based private school.
When homeschooling in California, law is important but if you are aware of the steps and keep good records, you will have a smooth journey!
Maintaining Your California Homeschool
To homeschool in California, you can start by asking, “How do you homeschool in California?” and then explore options like filing a Private School Affidavit or enrolling in a charter school’s independent study program.
To remain complaint under California homeschooling laws, a homeschooling family must:
Submit updated private school R-4 affidavits annually by September 1st with the California Department of Education.
Keep copies of all past affidavits on file.
Submit new affidavits when moving to new school districts.
Retain detailed attendance logs and course descriptions.
Make records available including grades and adhere to audits if requested.
Annual affidavits and occasional compliance reviews when relocating or randomly by school districts are the only regular state reporting rules beyond keeping internal attendance and course description records.
If you decide to enroll your child back into the public school system, contact your school or school district to enroll. The public school will assess various factors to determine which grade to place the student into.
California Homeschool Reporting Requirements
Private schools including homeschools must document student attendance as substantiation that students are fully enrolled and receiving appropriate education services. Students must be taught for at least three hours a day for 175 days each school year. Parents should keep meticulous written logs showing number of instructional days/hours per year and actual time each student engaged in learning per homeschool statutes (EC Section 48222, 5 CCR Section 11704).
In addition to attendance, detailed course descriptions with topics covered, texts utilized, and K-12 scope and sequence followed for core subjects should be kept per child annually. While standardized testing and academic performance metrics are not required, internal testing can demonstrate grade-level work.
Homeschool Testing in California
California does not mandate standardized testing or submission of academic progress indicators for privately homeschooled students. Parents have discretion over whether to administer tests, which assessments to utilize, and what to report. Home-based achievement tests like the California Achievement Test (CAT) are commonly used to identify learning gaps and qualify students for college entrance. Many families choose not to test formally.
Students enrolled in public independent study charters however must participate in state-mandated assessments like the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) in core subjects just as traditional public-school students do. Make sure to review testing policies carefully before registering with public charter programs.
Funding Your California Homeschool
California does not provide direct funding, tax credits, voucher programs or other financial assistance to support homeschooling families. Parents assume the full financial, administrative and instructional responsibility for operating their homeschool privately.
Until legislation changes, homeschooled students remain ineligible for various scholarships, enrichment offerings, extra-curricular programs, and classroom resources public school students can access. Many parents finance curriculum materials, books, computers, software platforms, subscription learning services, assessment resources, a private tutor, and enrichment activities completely out of pocket without state assistance.
Limited tax deductions offer minimal offsets to the substantial financial burden faced exclusively by homeschool families. Advocacy groups continue lobbying officials for greater equality in access to funding support and resources by homeschool constituents.
However, state-funded homeschooling is available through the California Charters, listed further below.
Federal Tax Breaks
Families may be eligible for certain federal tax benefits to help offset educational expenses. One option is a Coverdell Education Savings Account, which allows money to grow tax-free when used for qualified costs. Parents might also be able to deduct a portion of mortgage interest or rent if part of the home is used regularly and exclusively for homeschooling. Finally, tax credits or deductions could be available for required books, supplies, equipment and curriculum used for homeschool instruction. To learn more about these potential tax advantages, homeschooling families should review the information and resources provided by the IRS.
California Immunization Requirements
While homeschools independently determine academic programming, California law requires compliance with the same immunization standards governing traditional public and private schools under Health and Safety Code Sections 120325-120380.
Parents filing annual private school affidavits must show proof that all enrolled students have received age-appropriate immunizations per the CDC recommended schedule for school-aged youth. Standard medical exemptions are permitted when signed by a state-licensed physician certifying an immunization poses specific health risks.
Aside from rare medical contraindications, failure to fully vaccinate enrolled students violates compliance with compulsory attendance statutes and risks loss of homeschooling rights. Make sure to maintain current immunization records.
California State Graduation Requirements
California does not issue diplomas or require exit exams for homeschool students. However, by age 18 most homeschoolers readily meet college entrance requirements. The University of California and California State University systems align admissions standards with competitive universities nationwide.
Since California does not issue diplomas to homeschool students, parents set their own graduation requirements for awarding an equivalency high school diploma. Typical benchmarks include completing an approved Course of Study covering 4 years of English/language arts, 3+ years of math through Algebra and Geometry, 2 years lab science, 2 years social studies, 2 years of a single foreign language, 1 year of visual/performing arts, a health course, ACT/SAT testing, community service credits, and a senior thesis paper compiling skills.
College-bound students should take appropriate college-prep level academics, procure letters of recommendation, and assemble a portfolio.
California Homeschool Charters
The state provides funding for homeschool charter schools in California, and this is often the best option for a family. Here are some of the (free) charters serving homeschoolers in California:
Charter schools are independent public schools that are allowed to operate with more flexibility than traditional public schools in California. Some charters provide support and additional resources specifically for homeschool families. Here are the key things to understand:
Enrollment in a charter homeschool:
To attend a charter homeschool, you must formally enroll and be accepted by the charter school as its own independent school, even while schooling primarily at home.
Enrollment requirements, capacity limits, and lottery systems can come into play depending on demand at given charters. Open enrollment periods are common.
You must notify both the charter school and your resident school district that you are enrolled in the charter. You are then considered a public charter school student while homeschooling.
It is important to note that there are standardized testing requirements in charter programs.
Local California Homeschooling Resources
Traditional California public schools offer programs like Gifted and Talented Education (GATE), CTE pathway courses, special education services, competitive athletics, performing arts, Advanced Placement (AP) courses and more currently unavailable to privately homeschooled students in many districts.
In the interim, connect with local homeschool groups organizing shared instruction, activities, bands, theater troops, choirs, proms, tournaments and events to expand social development and supplemental opportunities. Support each other in providing the customized education and outlets all children deserve.
Homeschool Cooperatives are groups of homeschooling families who jointly participate in instructional activities, excursions, programs, clubs and more to share resources and workload. Numerous independent co-ops exist across California centered on geography, faith-based characteristics, learning philosophies, student ages and other attributes.
Cooperatives convene in informal spaces, community centers, partnering traditional school facilities, houses of worship or online. Instruction is led by volunteering parents according to their abilities across diverse subjects/interests. Field trips such as the San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum and the Museum of Natural History in Santa Barbara, the San Diego and San Francisco zoos, the Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens, the Santa Cruz boardwalk, colleges and community service activities are commonly coordinated through co-ops as well enhancing learning.
Explore local groups for activities, classes, sports, and more:
California Homeschool Network: Lists local groups, field trips such as the Museum of San Diego and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Sea World in San Diego, the San Francisco Cable Car Museum, and the Fleet Science Center in San Diego, classes and more.
Homefire: California homeschooling news, events and information.
California Association of Independent Schools: Support for private and homeschools for new and experienced homeschoolers.
HomeSchool Association of California: Legislation updates and advocacy.
