California Homeschool Deadlines & Calendar

Initial filing deadline

October 1 through October 15 annually

Annual renewal deadline

October 1 through October 15 annually

Send to

California Department of Education (CDE)

EC Section 33190 (annual Private School Affidavit filing); EC Section 48222 (private school exemption from compulsory attendance)

Varies by pathway. Home-Based Private School (Private School Affidavit): null; Private School Satellite Program (PSP / Umbrella School): null; Private Tutor: null; Independent Study Through Public School or Charter School: [3,4,5,6,7,8,11]

Frequency

Annual

See our full assessment guide for California for accepted test types and scoring details.

Varies by pathway. Home-Based Private School (Private School Affidavit): "October 1-15"; Private School Satellite Program (PSP / Umbrella School): null; Private Tutor: null; Independent Study Through Public School or Charter School: null

Annual renewal

Required by October 1-15

EC Section 33190 (annual PSA filing between October 1 and October 15)

These deadlines are for Home-Based Private School (Private School Affidavit). California offers 4 pathways, and each may have different deadlines:

• •
  Home-Based Private School (Private School Affidavit)(this page): You file a one-page Private School Affidavit with the CDE each October, keep an attendance register, and teach required subjects. No testing, no curriculum approval, no reporting beyond the annual PSA. Most California homeschoolers choose this pathway.
• •
  Independent Study Through Public School or Charter School: Your child enrolls in a public school or charter school independent study program and learns at home under a credentialed teacher's supervision. The school provides curriculum, handles all reporting, and your child retains full IEP and special education rights. Less parent autonomy but more support and services.
• •
  Private School Satellite Program (PSP / Umbrella School): You enroll in a Private School Satellite Program (umbrella school) that handles all state paperwork on your behalf. The PSP files the PSA, maintains records, and keeps your home address out of the public CDE directory. You teach at home with PSP guidance. Good for families who want administrative support or privacy.
• •
  Private Tutor: A credentialed California teacher tutors your child for at least 3 hours per day, 175 days per year, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. No state notification required, but the tutor must hold a valid credential for the grade taught. This pathway is costly and impractical for most families.

Our wizard calculates the right deadlines for your pathway. Compare all pathways for California