Are you wondering how to homeschool? And do you live in california?
If so, you’re in the right place! Homeschooling legal requirements vary from country to country, and state to state which means that things can start to feel overwhelming pretty quickly! And as a fellow Californian, my bet is that you’re eager to know the details of how to homeschool in California.
So let’s get to it!
The reality is that homeschooling is NOT legal in all countries, and while it IS legal in all 50 United States, it varies greatly depending on which state you live in.
I’m a California native who has been homeschooling for nine years (as of the time of this blog post) so I’m pretty well versed in the details involved in homeschooling in California.
Initially, it can feel like a lot of information to digest, but the process is actually very straightforward once you have all the steps outlined for you.
PLEASE remember that if you start feeling overwhelmed, it’s perfectly fine to step away from the computer for a bit and take a breather.
Here are your steps for figuring out how to homeschool in California:
1 – Review California’s legal requirements
Your go-to resource for homeschooling in California is California Homeschool Network (CHN). This is where you can easily check the legal requirements and stay up to date on any changes.
Here is their step-by-step breakdown of how to homeschool in California at the time of this post:
And here are the options available in California:
Option #1
File a Private School Affidavit to establish your own home-based private school.
Please DO NOT let a scary word like AFFIDAVIT freak you out! This is easy-peasy. And in California, this can all be done online.
Option #2
Enroll in a private school focusing on independent study. Generally, this means that you pay tuition to be a part of the school. In return, you receive specific curriculum and services while you conduct the teaching on your own.
The private school option may have a hybrid model where some classes are taken in a group setting with teachers provided, while some of the teaching is done at home, likely with you as the primary teacher.
Option #3
Enroll in a public independent study option or charter. This option usually provides funding for a variety of approved curriculum and educational services.
Option #4
If a parent has a valid California teaching credential, they are qualified to instruct their child under something known as the private tutorial exemption. However, this option is only available if you are a certified/credentialed teacher.
So which option is best?
Honestly, it completely depends on your family.
I know many families who follow option #1.
Some of these families value the freedom and flexibility they feel they have in filing an affidavit. Other families seek a religious education and do not want nonsectarian curriculum restrictions placed on them.
I also know several families who have gone with option #2.
They have the means to afford tuition for their child to homeschool while benefiting from private school resources they find valuable.
Many other families are happy with option #3.
This option provides funding which allows for additional resources and enrichment opportunities. Additionally, families often appreciate the oversight provided.
Sidenote: This is the route our family has chosen. We have always homeschooled using a public charter. We receive funding each year to apply towards approved vendors and curriculum, (which are abundant!) Because we have chosen this option, we are required to adhere to specific guidelines that option #1 families can opt-out of. However, for our specific situation and needs, option #3 has served us very well.
As far as option #4, I don’t personally know any families that homeschool this way. Therefore I don’t have any personal or direct experience with this method.
Note: If you relocate outside of California, remember that laws vary from state to state and in some countries, homeschooling is illegal. Make sure you know the specific laws of the state or country in which you’ll be residing!
The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) is an excellent go-to resource. The site is super easy to navigate and has lots of helpful information.
2 – Review the specific requirements for the grade(s) you will be teaching
Current California standards for K-12 can be found online through the California State Board of Education.
I find it helpful to review and print a copy of the standards for the grades my children will be in before we begin a new school year. This way I’m able to easily reference the standards as I plan for the upcoming year. This information can also help inform your decision regarding what curriculum you want to use.
3 – Familiarize yourself with the various educational philosophies and methods
There are so many homeschooling methods and philosophies available!
The good news is that you don’t have to subscribe to a specific one, (or ANY, for that matter!) But it’s still helpful and interesting to familiarize yourself with the different approaches to see if any resonate with you and your family.
4 – Make a pros and cons list
I highly encourage you to take a few minutes and brainstorm all of the positives and negatives you can think of. Identify every single homeschooling pro and con that crosses your mind!!
You will also want to be sure to discuss this information with your partner and any other family members who will be involved in your homeschooling journey.
5 – Decide what path you will take for homeschooling
Refer back to Step #1, where all options are discussed.
Will you file a PSA, enroll in a private school, enroll in a public independent study option or charter school, or use the private tutorial exemption?
Review the detailed information, select your path, and fulfill the necessary steps.
6 – Find homeschooling support
One HUGE ingredient for homeschooling success is a strong support system.
In an ideal situation, we’d be surrounded by family, friends, and neighbors who support our desire to homeschool. Unfortunately, few of us start out with this abundant understanding and support.
Like many things in life, a strong support system WILL likely become a reality, but it might take some time and extra energy.
So get started poking around a bit and do some research to see what local homeschooling groups and meetups are available in your area. There are also fantastic online communities, groups, and podcasts that you can access anytime for virtual support.
7 – Plan your upcoming year
Below, I’m including links to blog posts directly related to getting started with homeschooling, as well as specific academic subjects and activities:
- Homeschooling FAQs
- Homeschooling legal requirements
- Math
- Language Arts
- Science
- History and Geography
- Field Trips
- Poetry for young kids, middle schoolers, and high schoolers
So to recap, here is your gameplan:
1 – Review California’s legal requirements
2 – Review the specific requirements for the grade(s) you will be teaching
3 – Familiarize yourself with the various educational philosophies and methods
4 – Make a Pros and Cons List
5 – Decide which path you will take for homeschooling
6 – Find homeschooling support
7 – Plan your upcoming year
Remember, while this may feel overwhelming at first, following these steps will help you stay focused, make sure the path is clear, and offer support.
Take a break and step away when you need to. Know that you can decide on homeschooling and then change your mind farther down the road. Choosing a different educational path in the future is ABSOLUTELY OK!
But if you feel like homeschooling is currently the right choice for your family, please know that YOU CAN DO THIS!
If you have any additional questions, please ask! I’m always happy to offer answers, encouragement, and support!
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