How to Start Homeschooling in California

Yes. The California Department of Education lists several ways parents may educate their children at home:

• By establishing a home-based private school
• Through an existing private school that offers online learning or independent study
• Through a public charter school
• Through a public school independent study program
• Through a credentialed tutor

For a home-based private school, EC Section 48222 exempts children "instructed in a private full-time day school by persons capable of teaching." The school must teach in English, offer instruction in the several branches of study required in the public schools, and keep attendance in a register. EC Section 33190 requires the school to file an affidavit each year.

The exemption works in two parts. You file the affidavit, and then the school district's attendance supervisor verifies that the affidavit was filed. Under EC Section 48222, the exemption is valid only after that verification. The CDE's FAQ says you are required to provide a copy of your affidavit to the district's attendance supervisor.

California is a moderate-regulation state. The state does not require testing of private schools.

California's compulsory education law covers each person between the ages of 6 and 18 (EC Section 48200).

If your child is younger than 6, they do not need to be enrolled in anything yet. You have time to plan.

Here is how to start a home-based private school in California, step by step:

Step 1: Review the requirements. The CDE suggests reviewing the Education Code for private schools and the courses of study in EC Sections 51210 and 51220.

Step 2: Pick a school name. Your home-based private school needs a name for the affidavit.

Step 3: File the PSA. Use the CDE's online filing system (cde.ca.gov/sp/ps/affidavit.asp). The statutory filing period is October 1 through 15 each year. The system is open from August 1 through June 30 so new home schools can file when they start. Schools established in July wait until the system opens in August.

Step 4: Give a copy to the district attendance supervisor. Your exemption is valid only after the district's attendance supervisor verifies your filing (EC Section 48222), and the CDE's FAQ says to provide a copy of your affidavit.

Step 5: Withdraw from public school, if your child is enrolled. Contact your child's current public school and ask what they need from you to withdraw your child.

Step 6: Set up your records. Start an attendance register and keep the other records listed below.

Step 7: Start teaching. Pick your curriculum, set your schedule, and go.

The Private School Affidavit (EC Section 33190) is your one required filing each year. It is filed with the Superintendent of Public Instruction through the CDE's online system, under penalty of perjury. Under EC Section 33190, the affidavit covers:

• The names the school does business under
• The address of the school and of its records, and the name and address of the records custodian
• The names and addresses of any directors and principal officers
• Enrollment by grade and the number of teachers
• A statement that the required records are kept at the stated address
• A statement that criminal record summary information has been obtained as the law requires

If you cannot file online, EC Section 33190 also allows a statement in lieu of the affidavit, filed in the same period. Contact the CDE for options.

Filing the affidavit is not an approval. The CDE says filing does not mean the state has evaluated, approved, or licensed your school, and it is not the CDE's opinion on whether your child is exempt. That determination comes from the district's attendance supervisor.

The state does not require testing of private schools. No standardized tests. No portfolio reviews. No yearly evaluations.

You decide how to check your child's progress. The CDE notes that parents can test their students by joining local private or public school testing, contacting testing organizations, or using assessments from a curriculum.

If your child is in a public charter or public school independent study program, they are a public school student. The school must test students in grades 3 through 8 and 11 on the state CAASPP assessments in English language arts and math (EC 60640).

California gives you four ways to educate at home. Each has different trade-offs.

Home-Based Private School (EC Sections 48222 and 33190). File the affidavit each year. Keep an attendance register, a record of the courses of study, and the names, addresses, and qualifications of the teachers. Instruction in English by persons capable of teaching, in the branches of study required in the public schools. No state testing.

Private School Satellite Program (PSP). An existing private school that offers independent study. The PSP files its own affidavit as a private school. Ask the PSP what it requires of families.

Private Tutor (EC Section 48224). The tutor holds a valid state credential for the grade taught. At least 3 hours a day, 175 days each calendar year, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., in English, in the branches of study required in the public schools.

Public Charter or Public School Independent Study. Your child stays enrolled in a public school or charter but learns at home. The CDE suggests asking your school district, nearby districts, or your county office of education what programs allow schooling at home. The school sets the program's requirements.

A few things every family should know when starting a home-based private school in California:

Keep the required records. The CDE lists the records a home school keeps: the attendance register (EC Section 48222), the courses of study offered, and the names and addresses of the faculty with a record of each person's educational qualifications (EC Section 33190). It also recommends keeping copies of your affidavits and individual pupil records.

You do not need a teaching credential for a home-based private school. EC Section 48222 requires instruction by "persons capable of teaching." The CDE names a credential only for the tutor option.

Core teaching must be in English. EC Section 48222 says instruction must be in the English language. You can teach other languages too.

IEP services. When you leave public school for a private school, the IEP does not follow your child. Under EC Section 56300, local educational agencies must actively seek out children with exceptional needs, including those not enrolled in public school programs. Ask your district about an evaluation. Public charter and public school independent study students remain public school students.

Returning to public school. You may enroll your child in public school at any time. Districts set their own policies for placement and for recognizing credits from a home school.

Diplomas and transcripts. No California law sets graduation or diploma requirements for private schools. You create your own diploma and transcripts. The CDE lists the GED and the California Proficiency Program as alternative diploma equivalencies.

Mark your calendar for October 1 through 15. That is the statutory filing period each year. If you are starting fresh, you can file when you begin, while the system is open from August 1 through June 30.