A satellite program (also called a Private School Satellite Program or PSP) is an arrangement where homeschooling families enroll in an established private school that handles state paperwork and provides administrative support while parents teach their children at home.
What is a Satellite Program?
A Private School Satellite Program (PSP) is a homeschooling arrangement where families educate their children at home while being legally enrolled in an established private school. The term "satellite" originated in the 1980s when homeschooling legality was uncertain, and families grouped together under private school charters with each home functioning as a "satellite" of the main school. Today, PSPs are most common in California, where they provide an alternative to filing as an independent homeschool. The PSP files required state paperwork on behalf of enrolled families, maintains official records, and often provides curriculum guidance and community connections.
Key Takeaways
- Students are legally enrolled as private school students while learning at home
- The PSP files state paperwork (like California's Private School Affidavit) on behalf of families
- Most common in California; similar structures exist in other states under different names
- Services range from basic paperwork handling to full curriculum support and hybrid classes
- Provides legal protection, privacy, and administrative support for homeschooling families
How Satellite Programs Work
When you enroll in a PSP, your child becomes a student of that private school for legal purposes—even though learning happens at home with you as the teacher. The PSP files the required state documents (in California, the annual Private School Affidavit) on behalf of all enrolled families, so your name and address don't appear on public state records. The PSP maintains attendance records, transcripts, and immunization documentation. You remain in control of curriculum, schedule, and teaching methods while the PSP handles administrative compliance.
Umbrella Schools and Cover Schools
Different states use different terminology for similar structures. In Alabama, these are often called "cover schools" or "church schools"—before 2014, this was the primary legal homeschool option. Tennessee uses "umbrella schools" and "Category IV Church-Related Schools." Florida also has umbrella schools. The concept is the same: an established school provides legal covering for home-based education. California's PSP terminology is specific to that state's education code, but the function mirrors umbrella and cover schools elsewhere.
Benefits of Enrolling in a PSP
Benefits of Enrolling in a PSP
- Legal protection
The PSP advocates for your family if outside agencies question your homeschooling
- Privacy
Your personal information stays with the PSP rather than appearing on state records
- Reduced paperwork
The PSP handles state filings, typically requiring just 2-3 forms from you annually
- Record maintenance
Official transcripts, attendance records, and graduation documentation handled by the school
- Curriculum freedom
Most PSPs don't mandate specific curricula, leaving educational choices to parents
- Community access
Many PSPs offer field trips, park days, co-op classes, and extracurricular activities
What PSPs Typically Provide
Services vary widely by program. All PSPs handle required state filings and maintain official records. Many provide curriculum guidance, helping families select appropriate materials without mandating specific choices. Some offer community events—field trips, park days, graduation ceremonies. A growing number of PSPs operate hybrid programs with part-time campus instruction alongside homeschooling. Premium PSPs may include textbooks, weekly academic planning, and access to campus facilities. Basic PSPs focus purely on administrative compliance at lower cost.
The Bottom Line
Satellite programs offer homeschooling families a middle path between complete independence and institutional schooling. You maintain control over your child's education while gaining legal coverage, administrative support, and often community connections. For California families in particular, PSPs provide a well-established alternative to filing your own Private School Affidavit. When choosing a PSP, consider what level of support you need—from bare-bones paperwork handling to comprehensive curriculum guidance and hybrid class options. The right PSP becomes a valuable partner in your homeschool journey.
