Accredited Home School Options in the State of California

Outlined below are the options available to those who choose to educate their children outside the California public school system.

Thankfully, in our great nation, we still have the freedom to choose the education we believe is best for our children. In California, the homeschool laws are rather lenient, putting the power back into the hands of the parent.

NOTE: The following is not intended to be legal advice and is distributed for information purposes only.

Find more information about the homeschool requirements in the State of California and find the local homeschool support you need!

Four Accredited Home School Options in the State of California

There are pros and cons to each of the four options. Even the pros and cons listed can be viewed either way depending on your point of view. Weigh what you deem is most important for your homeschooling family.

1) File a Private School Affidavit

This is the most common option homeschooling families choose. California is one of twelve states that classifies homeschool as operating as a “private school.” This must be filed annually before October 15th.

Fill it out in the fall as you start the school year. If you begin school after October 15th, simply file it when you start. It can be filed electronically or you can request a copy to be sent to you in the mail.

Pros:

-This option offers parents the most freedom in choosing the course of study for their child. There is little State accountability beyond the filing of the form.

-It takes only 10-15 minutes to file.

Cons:

-Because of the State’s hands-off approach, parents are left to seek out their own resources and funding for their child’s education.

-Some parents may prefer more supervision.

-Personal records must be kept in case you need legal proof for homeschooling legitimacy.

• TIP: Get the Legal Coverage You and Your Family May Need

Consider joining the HomeSchool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) for $115 a year. This organization provides legal services to you in case the validity of your homeschooling family is ever called into question. Many times HSLDA attorneys call or write letters on behalf of members contacted by local officials.

For those who wind up in court, HSLDA provides full representation at every stage of legal proceedings. The cost of a year’s membership is close to the rate you would pay for an hour of an attorney’s time almost anywhere else. (Our family does not hold a membership. I share this for informational purposes only).

2) Use a Teacher Certified Private Tutor

Credentialed tutors must offer instruction to a student for at least 3 hours a day for 175 days in a year. Tutors are not required to file with the county or state or to keep attendance records.

A parent with an elementary credential would not meet the requirement for teaching their high school student and would have to choose another homeschooling option.

Pros:

-As a parent, if you have teacher certification, you can homeschool under this classification.

-Select a certified teacher you approve of to give your child a specialized education at home.

Cons:

-You are required to pay for the private tutor.

-You might miss out on the hands-on fun and challenge of teaching your child yourself!

3) Enroll in a Private School Satellite Program (PSP)

This is considered an independent study program. Every student engaged in independent study must be enrolled in a specified school in a school district or county office of education. You can choose to do this through a private school or public school.

Find a Private School Satellite Program in your area.

You’ll find information for locating a Public School Independent Study Program here.

Private satellite programs are legally the same option as establishing a private school. Instead of filing individual private school affidavits, the administrators of the PSP have done this for the individual families.

PSPs vary widely in offerings, philosophy and structure. Some offer complete curricula and home study assignments; others serve only as administrative record keepers for independent homeschooling.

Pros:

-Students work independently, according to a written agreement and under the general supervision of a credentialed teacher.

-Many families removing their children from public school opt for these programs because they will handle the transfer of student records and many will offer some guidance counseling.

-The study program can be catered to meet individual student needs, interests, and styles of learning.

-The PSP keeps your child’s homeschooling records for you.

Cons:

-Must follow the district-adopted curriculum and meet the district graduation requirements.

-A limitation in curriculum options.

4) Enroll in an Independent Study Program Through Your Local Public School

Taking part in a homeschool charter school is an example of this 4th option. It is still considered by the State to be public school enrollment. The State defines a charter school as “a public school that may provide instruction in any of grades K-12. A charter school is usually created or organized by a group of teachers, parents and community leaders or a community-based organization, and it is usually sponsored by an existing local public school board or county board of education.”

Each charter school sets its own specific goals of educational emphasis and operating procedures. Check out all the charter schools in your area to compare their school offerings, emphasis and priorities. Make sure they are in line with your own!

You’ll find a list of California charter schools here. Sort by county, charter school name, school district, or charter school number.

Pros:

-Often provides most of the curriculum for the parents free of charge.

-A parent may be permitted to select other materials for homeschooling that the charter school will purchase.

-May provide funding for extra-curricular activities.

-A parent is in close contact with one or more certified teachers who collaborates with them on their child’s education.

-Offers group instruction, labs, tutoring, enrichment activities, fun days, and field trips.

-Your child is legally covered under the public school status.

-The school maintains records and documentation of student attendance and performance as mandated by state education code.

Cons:

-You are restricted in the curriculum you can use. You may be given a few options to choose from. In addition, because these are classified as public schools, they will not fund any curriculum with Christian content. However, sometimes ,you may still be permitted to use it at your own expense.

-The charter school’s parent/student requirements often means less freedom and independence to conduct homeschooling on your terms.

-Your child may be required to attend classroom instruction a few days a week at the charter school.

-Statewide student testing (such as STAR testing) may be required of students as is required of students enrolled in full-time public school.

-Must meet monthly with an assigned teacher (if child is not participating in weekly classroom instruction) and provide required forms and proof a school work.

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