Homeschooling in California: Laws & Requirements (2026)

California doesn't have a "homeschool law" per se—instead, families operate under the state's private school exemption. File a Private School Affidavit, and your home becomes a legally recognized private school. No testing, no curriculum approval, no teaching credentials required. The state asks only that you offer certain subjects and keep basic records.

This structure confuses many newcomers who expect clear homeschool-specific regulations. The reality is simpler than it appears: about 90% of California homeschoolers file a PSA and teach independently with complete curriculum freedom. The annual filing is straightforward, and the state doesn't evaluate or approve your program. Understanding your options upfront prevents unnecessary anxiety.

California Homeschool Requirements at a Glance

Your Homeschool Options in California

California provides four legal pathways to home educate. Most families choose the Private School Affidavit for its combination of simplicity and freedom.

Private School Affidavit (PSA): Establish your home as a private school by filing an annual affidavit with the California Department of Education. This is the most common approach—complete curriculum freedom, no testing, no oversight. You're the administrator and teacher of your own school.

Private School Satellite Program (PSP): Enroll in an existing private school that offers home-based instruction. The PSP files the affidavit on your behalf and may provide curriculum support, record-keeping assistance, and transcripts. You maintain teaching responsibility but have institutional backing. Annual fees typically range $200-400.

Public Charter or Independent Study Program: Enroll in a public school program designed for home-based learning. These programs offer funding ($2,200-3,800 annually depending on grade level) for curriculum and materials but require more oversight, regular meetings with supervising teachers, and student assessments. You cannot include religious instruction during recorded school hours.

Credentialed Private Tutor: Have a California-credentialed teacher provide instruction. This option requires 3 hours daily, 175 days per year, between 8 AM and 4 PM. Rarely used due to strict requirements—even credentialed parents typically choose the PSA route instead.

Comparing Your Options

How to Start Homeschooling in California

Filing the Private School Affidavit

The PSA is a straightforward online form, but understanding what it does (and doesn't do) prevents common anxiety.

When to file: The official filing period is October 1-15 annually. However, the online system accepts filings from August 1 through June 30 for new schools or changes. If you're starting mid-year, file before beginning instruction.

What you'll provide: School name and address (your home address becomes the school address), contact information, enrollment by grade level, staff names, records custodian designation, and acknowledgments. The form takes 15-30 minutes if you have information ready.

What filing means: Filing "shall not be interpreted to mean that the State of California has made any evaluation, recognition, approval, or endorsement of the school." You're registering, not seeking approval. Your school name and address become public record.

What happens after filing: You receive a confirmation code via email. That's it. No inspector visits, no curriculum review, no follow-up. The PSA filing satisfies your legal requirement.

Renewals: File annually during the October 1-15 window to update enrollment numbers and confirm continued operation.

Required Subjects and Curriculum

California requires private schools to offer instruction in certain subjects—the same ones required in public schools. The key word is "offer": you must make these subjects available, but California doesn't mandate that every student study every subject every year.

Required subjects (EC Section 51210 for grades 1-6): - English (reading, writing, spelling, composition, handwriting) - Mathematics (concepts, operations, problem-solving) - Social Sciences (history, geography, civics, economics) - Science (biological, physical, earth sciences) - Visual and Performing Arts (art, music, drama, dance) - Health - Physical Education

Important clarifications: - No specific curriculum is mandated—you choose materials and methods - No curriculum approval or reporting required - No grades or progress reports submitted to the state - Instruction must be conducted in English - For grades 7-12, EC Section 51220 applies (similar subjects)

The state doesn't check whether you're covering these subjects or how deeply. Your responsibility is to offer a legitimate educational program; specifics are entirely your decision.

Record-Keeping Requirements

California private school regulations require minimal records. Understanding what's actually required versus what's recommended prevents over-documentation stress.

Legally required: - Attendance register (California uses negative attendance—mark absences only) - List of courses of study offered - Faculty information (names, addresses, qualifications) - Copy of your filed PSA

Not legally required but recommended: - Work samples and portfolios - Grades and report cards - Detailed daily logs - Curriculum documentation

Practical approach: Keep a simple attendance record marking days school was not in session or your child was absent. Maintain a list showing what subjects you offer. File your PSA confirmation. That satisfies legal requirements.

For high schoolers, keep more detailed records—courses, grades, credits, and work samples. You'll need these for transcript creation and college applications. Even if not legally required, thorough high school documentation protects your child's future options.

Essential Records to Maintain

High School, Graduation & Beyond

California private schools—including home-based private schools—set their own graduation requirements and issue their own diplomas. There's no state-mandated course list or credit minimum for PSA homeschoolers.

Creating transcripts: You design your own transcript format documenting courses, grades, and credits. Include course titles, credit hours, grades, and cumulative GPA. Many families use Carnegie Units: 120-190 hours of instruction equals one credit. Keep course descriptions explaining content covered.

Diplomas: As the administrator of your private school, you issue the diploma. This is standard practice—private schools don't need state approval for graduation requirements or diploma issuance.

College admission: UC and CSU systems accept homeschool applicants. Many home-schooled students have been admitted to UC schools. If your school isn't accredited (most PSA schools aren't), you may be "considered for admission by exception"—meaning you'll demonstrate competency through SAT/ACT scores, portfolios, or other evidence.

A-G requirements: UC requires specific A-G coursework for eligibility. PSA schools can self-certify A-G completion, but without accreditation, you may need additional documentation. Consider AP exams, SAT Subject Tests, or community college courses to validate coursework.

CHSPE alternative: The California High School Proficiency Exam allows students 16+ (or completed 10th grade) to earn a certificate legally equivalent to a high school diploma.

Funding: What California Offers (and Doesn't)

California provides no ESA or voucher funding for PSA or PSP homeschoolers. This frustrates many families who pay taxes but receive nothing back for educational expenses.

What's NOT available: - No Education Savings Accounts - No tax credits or deductions for homeschool expenses - No vouchers for private education

What IS available (with tradeoffs): - Public charter/independent study programs: Provide $2,200-3,800 annually per student for approved curriculum and materials. The catch: you're enrolled in public school, face more oversight, meet regularly with supervising teachers, participate in student assessments, and cannot include religious instruction during school hours.

The funding tradeoff: Charter program stipends come with significant strings. Many families choose PSA freedom over charter funding, preferring to pay for curriculum independently rather than submit to program requirements.

Proposed legislation: A ballot initiative (2025-014) has been proposed that would create ESAs providing approximately $17,000 annually per student not enrolled in public school, starting 2027-28. This is not yet law and would require voter approval.

Sports and Extracurricular Access

California does NOT have a "Tim Tebow Law" guaranteeing homeschoolers access to public school sports. CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) Rule 305 effectively bars homeschool students from public school athletic teams—participation typically requires full-time enrollment.

Current options:

- Public independent study enrollment: If you enroll in a public charter or independent study program (and give up PSA independence), you become a public school student eligible for sports at your charter's partner schools.

- Homeschool sports leagues: Organizations like California Home School Sports (CHSS) offer competitive athletics for homeschoolers.

- Community programs: YMCA leagues, club sports, travel teams, and recreational programs provide athletic opportunities without school enrollment.

- District discretion: Some districts may allow homeschool participation in non-CIF activities on a case-by-case basis, but this is rare and inconsistent.

The sports access limitation is a significant pain point for California homeschool families. Until legislation changes, athletic options require either giving up PSA independence or finding alternatives outside the public school system.

Special Situations

Kindergarten: California compulsory attendance begins at age 6 (if the child turns 6 on or before September 1 of the school year). Kindergarten is optional; if your child is under 6, you don't need to file a PSA.

Mid-year withdrawal: You can withdraw and begin homeschooling at any time. File your PSA when you start—don't wait for October. Submit a withdrawal letter to the current school (certified mail recommended). The school cannot require PSA proof before processing withdrawal.

School pushback: Some public school officials don't understand private education law and may request unnecessary documentation. You're not required to provide curriculum information, testing results, or detailed plans. Refer resistant administrators to CDE's private school information page.

Special needs: PSA homeschoolers don't receive IEP services—those require public school enrollment. You can request evaluation through your local district's Child Find program. If your child needs IEP services, charter school enrollment may preserve eligibility while allowing home-based instruction.

Moving to California: File your PSA when you establish residency and begin instruction. Previous homeschool records from your former state support grade-level documentation.

The Bottom Line

California homeschooling is more straightforward than it initially appears. File a Private School Affidavit, offer required subjects, keep basic records, and you're legally compliant. No testing, no credential requirements, no curriculum approval. The state grants genuine educational freedom within a simple administrative framework.

The main decision point: PSA independence versus charter program funding. Most families choose freedom—accepting self-funded curriculum in exchange for complete control. If funding matters more than autonomy, charter programs provide real financial support with proportional oversight.

Your first step: decide between PSA/PSP independence and charter enrollment. Then file your affidavit (or charter application) and begin teaching. California's homeschool community is large and established—you'll find abundant support, co-ops, and resources throughout the state.