When I first set out to homeschool, figuring out my legal options was a little overwhelming, it took me awhile to figure it all out. Now that I feel like I have a pretty good understanding of all the options available to homeschooling families in California, I'd like to share that information with anyone looking to get started on their homeschooling journey.
The 5 Ways To Legally Homeschool In California:
-File a private school affidavit with the state: You can establish a private school in your own home by filing a private school affidavit with the state each year. This might sound like a lot of work, but it isn't. It's a single two page form that you can file online every year between October 1st and October 15th.
This option allows a lot of freedom. There are no testing requirements and no curriculum requirements. You are required to teach the core subjects typically taught in school, but how you do that is completely up to you. You are required to do a minimum of 180 days a year, but what your days look like are completely up to you. And you are required to keep some very basic records including: a copy of your completed affidavit, attendance, school name, school address, faculty names (you), immunization records or exemptions (homeschoolers are exempt from all vaccine mandates, so all three exemptions are legal to use), and grades and subjects offered. You can just print these records up and stick them in a small binder or file folder each year. You do not have to turn these records into anyone, you are just required to keep them.
This is the option we use. I like the freedom it gives us to tailor suit my children's educations to fit their unique interests and learning styles. I also like not having to answer to anyone, I am in charge.
-Enroll with a home based charter school: This is a really popular option around here. There are lots of home based charter schools out there. These programs are pretty cool because they still offer a lot of freedom in curriculum choice and teaching style, but offer families the support of a teacher and school staff.
Many offer some classes and extracurricular activities on campus, so your child can take some classes at home and some on campus. They also offer funding for school supplies, curriculum, and extracurricular activities.
-Enroll with a public school that offers independent study: Many public schools offer independent study and online school options. These are basically just public school at home. There's a lot less freedom, but everything is planned and laid out for you. This is a good option for kids who thrive in the public school system. I believe these programs are held to California's vaccine mandates though, so be aware if that is a factor for your family.
-Enroll in a private school that offers a satellite program: Also known as a PSP, a private school satellite program is a private school that has filed the private school affidavit, and allows you to sign up as a teacher to teach your own children. The school will require you to submit some basic information each year and may or may not hold you to additional requirements. Be aware that some satellite programs are held to California's vaccine mandates.
Some PSPs offer group activities and curriculum choices. Some have staff to offer support. It varies from school to school.
-Hire a private tutor or be a credentialed teacher yourself: If you hold a teaching credential or hire a credentialed private tutor, you can teach your children completely independently without filing a private school affidavit.
Basic Homeschooling Requirements In California:
No matter which option you choose, there are some basic requirements all California homeschoolers have to adhere to:
-Children age 6 and older must be enrolled in some sort of legal school.
-Private school teachers must be "persons capable of teaching".
-You must teach the core subjects typically taught in schools (but how you do that and what topics you cover is totally up to you).
-You must complete at least 180 days of instruction each year (but what your days look like and consist of is totally up to you).
How To Withdraw Mid Year:
If you are starting to homeschool at the beginning of a new school year, you do not need to do anything to withdraw your children from their previous school. If you are pulling your children out mid year though, you will need to inform the school that you are transferring your children to a new school, so you don't get a truancy charge. If your child will be attending a school run by someone else, like a home based charter school, the charter school should write your child's previous school requesting your child's cumulative file.
-File a private school affidavit with the state: You can establish a private school in your own home by filing a private school affidavit with the state each year. This might sound like a lot of work, but it isn't. It's a single two page form that you can file online every year between October 1st and October 15th.
This option allows a lot of freedom. There are no testing requirements and no curriculum requirements. You are required to teach the core subjects typically taught in school, but how you do that is completely up to you. You are required to do a minimum of 180 days a year, but what your days look like are completely up to you. And you are required to keep some very basic records including: a copy of your completed affidavit, attendance, school name, school address, faculty names (you), immunization records or exemptions (homeschoolers are exempt from all vaccine mandates, so all three exemptions are legal to use), and grades and subjects offered. You can just print these records up and stick them in a small binder or file folder each year. You do not have to turn these records into anyone, you are just required to keep them.
This is the option we use. I like the freedom it gives us to tailor suit my children's educations to fit their unique interests and learning styles. I also like not having to answer to anyone, I am in charge.
-Enroll with a home based charter school: This is a really popular option around here. There are lots of home based charter schools out there. These programs are pretty cool because they still offer a lot of freedom in curriculum choice and teaching style, but offer families the support of a teacher and school staff.
Many offer some classes and extracurricular activities on campus, so your child can take some classes at home and some on campus. They also offer funding for school supplies, curriculum, and extracurricular activities.
-Enroll with a public school that offers independent study: Many public schools offer independent study and online school options. These are basically just public school at home. There's a lot less freedom, but everything is planned and laid out for you. This is a good option for kids who thrive in the public school system. I believe these programs are held to California's vaccine mandates though, so be aware if that is a factor for your family.
-Enroll in a private school that offers a satellite program: Also known as a PSP, a private school satellite program is a private school that has filed the private school affidavit, and allows you to sign up as a teacher to teach your own children. The school will require you to submit some basic information each year and may or may not hold you to additional requirements. Be aware that some satellite programs are held to California's vaccine mandates.
Some PSPs offer group activities and curriculum choices. Some have staff to offer support. It varies from school to school.
-Hire a private tutor or be a credentialed teacher yourself: If you hold a teaching credential or hire a credentialed private tutor, you can teach your children completely independently without filing a private school affidavit.
Basic Homeschooling Requirements In California:
No matter which option you choose, there are some basic requirements all California homeschoolers have to adhere to:
-Children age 6 and older must be enrolled in some sort of legal school.
-Private school teachers must be "persons capable of teaching".
-You must teach the core subjects typically taught in schools (but how you do that and what topics you cover is totally up to you).
-You must complete at least 180 days of instruction each year (but what your days look like and consist of is totally up to you).
How To Withdraw Mid Year:
If you are starting to homeschool at the beginning of a new school year, you do not need to do anything to withdraw your children from their previous school. If you are pulling your children out mid year though, you will need to inform the school that you are transferring your children to a new school, so you don't get a truancy charge. If your child will be attending a school run by someone else, like a home based charter school, the charter school should write your child's previous school requesting your child's cumulative file.
If you are using the private school affidavit option, you should write the school a formal letter requesting your child's cumulative file. Writing this letter should get the school to close it's file for your child. Typically you are supposed to file your private school affidavit between October 1st and October 15th each year, but if you withdraw from a public or private school mid year, you can file the form then. See the links below under "Additional Resources" for the link to the private school affidavit form.
If you are starting at the beginning of a new school year but your child was previously in public or private school, you can still request your child's cumulative file, but it's probably easiest to just walk into the office and request a copy.
For more information about withdrawing your child from public school, visit Withdrawing Your Child From School Mid Year from the Homescool Association of California.
Additional Resources:
-California Homeschool Network
-HSLDA California
-Private School Affidavit Online Form
-Step by step instructions for filling out the PSA 2019
-California Homeschool Charter Schools
If you enjoyed this post, check out:
-Homeschooling Curriculum and Resources: My Top Picks
-Homeschooling on a Budget
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If you are starting at the beginning of a new school year but your child was previously in public or private school, you can still request your child's cumulative file, but it's probably easiest to just walk into the office and request a copy.
For more information about withdrawing your child from public school, visit Withdrawing Your Child From School Mid Year from the Homescool Association of California.
Additional Resources:
-California Homeschool Network
-HSLDA California
-Private School Affidavit Online Form
-Step by step instructions for filling out the PSA 2019
-California Homeschool Charter Schools
If you enjoyed this post, check out:
-Homeschooling Curriculum and Resources: My Top Picks
-Homeschooling on a Budget
Follow me on:
Very clear and concise - thank you for this! Even though I am not in CA, it is great to read how other states handle homeschooling.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I think it's interesting to hear about how it works in other states too, especially since we are considering moving in the not too distant future.
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