California Homeschool Deadlines & Calendar

Initial filing deadline

October 1 through October 15 annually

• The statutory filing period is October 1 through 15. CDE keeps the online filing system open from August 1 through June 30 so new schools and home schools can file when they start.

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; Independent Study Through Public School or Charter School: [3,4,5,6,7,8,11]; Private School Satellite Program (PSP / Umbrella School): null; Private Tutor: null

• State testing is not required for private schools. A private school or satellite program may set its own assessments; transfer or admission testing is separate. This does not apply to public-school independent study or establish a private-tutor exemption.

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 through October 15 annually"; Independent Study Through Public School or Charter School: null; Private School Satellite Program (PSP / Umbrella School): null; Private Tutor: null

Annual renewal

Required by October 1 through October 15 annually

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 establish a home-based private school. Each year you file a Private School Affidavit with the California Department of Education (EC Section 33190). Instruction is given by persons capable of teaching, in English, in the several branches of study required in the public schools, and you keep attendance in a register (EC Section 48222). The state does not require testing of private schools and sets no minimum days or hours for them.
• •
  Independent Study Through Public School or Charter School: Your child enrolls in a public charter school or public school district independent study program and learns at home. Your child remains a public school student, so the school sets the program's requirements, and state law requires its students to take the state CAASPP tests (EC 60640). A student with an IEP may take part only if the IEP specifically provides for independent study (EC 51745(c)). Ask the school about its rules on curriculum and meetings before you enroll.
• •
  Private School Satellite Program (PSP / Umbrella School): You enroll your child in a private school satellite program (PSP), an existing private school that offers independent study. The PSP files its own Private School Affidavit as a private school (EC Section 33190). Ask the PSP what records and paperwork it needs from you.
• •
  Private Tutor: Your child is taught by a tutor who holds a valid state credential for the grade taught, for at least 3 hours a day for 175 days each calendar year, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., in English, in the several branches of study required in the public schools (EC Section 48224).

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