Learn about homeschooling laws, requirements, and resources specific to California.
California provides several legal pathways for parents to educate their children at home. This comprehensive overview explains the legal homeschooling options, required notifications and filings, curriculum and subject requirements by grade level, parent qualifications, testing and evaluation rules, recordkeeping and attendance obligations, how oversight and enforcement work, important legal protections and common pitfalls, and available support organizations and resources. The information is based on California law (Education Code) and guidance from the California Department of Education (CDE) and homeschool advocacy groups.
California's compulsory education law requires children ages 6–18 to attend a full-time school or satisfy an equivalent exemption. There is no separate "homeschool" statute, but state law recognizes four main options for educating school-age children at home.
Any homeschooling method in California must satisfy the state's compulsory education law. Failure to comply could result in truancy proceedings. All four options described below are legally recognized ways to meet this requirement.
Parents may establish their own private school in the home:
Legal basis: California Education Code §48222 exempts students in private full-time day schools from public school attendance.
Families can enroll in an existing private school's homeschool program:
Legal basis: Same as home-based private school (§48222), but the parent operates under an established school rather than creating their own.
Many public school districts and charter schools offer programs for home education:
Legal basis: California Education Code provisions for independent study in public schools (§51745-51749.6).
A child may be taught by a private tutor with valid California teaching credentials:
Legal basis: California Education Code §48224 explicitly provides this exemption from public school attendance.
When deciding which option works best for your family, consider:
All these options are legally recognized when properly implemented. Most families either establish a home-based private school (PSA) or enroll in a public charter homeschool program.
California homeschoolers must fulfill specific notification requirements based on their chosen legal option. Understanding what to file, when to file it, and with whom is essential for legal compliance.
Failing to file required documentation means your child will not be legally exempt from compulsory public school attendance. This could potentially lead to truancy issues. Each legal homeschooling option has different filing requirements, so be sure to follow the guidelines for your chosen path.
If homeschooling via a home-based private school, California law requires filing an annual PSA with the Superintendent of Public Instruction as mandated by Education Code §33190. This is a registration document—not a license or approval process—submitted under penalty of perjury stating you're operating a private school.
The PSA form requests:
The form is filed electronically on the CDE website, and a confirmation is provided. There is no fee to file.
Note: The PSA is a public record. Private schools with 6 or more students are listed in a public directory; home schools with fewer students are not publicly listed, but the filing is still required by law.
If you enroll your child in a public independent study program or charter homeschool program:
The school will handle all state reporting requirements, but you'll need to comply with the program's internal reporting procedures.
If using the tutor exemption under Education Code §48224:
While there are fewer filing requirements, the credential qualification is more stringent than other options.
Failing to file a required PSA for a child who is otherwise not in school means:
Timely filing and proper notification are critical compliance steps. Fortunately, the PSA process is straightforward, and homeschool advocacy groups provide guidance to help families file correctly each year.
Homeschooling families in California have significant freedom to choose their own curriculum and teaching methods. The state does not mandate specific textbooks or programs for private schools.
While California law requires certain subjects be taught as part of a "full-time" educational program, parents are completely free to select the specific materials, teaching approaches, and schedules that work best for their children. Education Code §48222 states that children educated in a private full-time day school must be taught in the English language and "in the several branches of study required to be taught in the public schools" of California.
According to Education Code §51210, the course of study for grades 1-6 must include instruction in the following areas:
Reading, writing, literature, speaking, listening skills, spelling, handwriting, and composition
Basic arithmetic, concepts, and problem-solving appropriate to each grade level
History, geography, civics, and other social studies topics, providing a foundation in U.S. and California history, government, and cultural understanding
Biological and physical sciences, with an emphasis on observation and the scientific inquiry process
Art, music, dance, and theater, aimed at developing creativity and appreciation of the arts
Principles of personal, family, and community health and safety
Physical activities that develop motor skills and fitness (public schools are required to provide 200 minutes every 10 school days, but home educators have flexibility in implementation)
For grades 7-12, Education Code §51220 outlines a broader set of required course offerings:
Continued development of literature analysis, composition, and communication skills
U.S. and world history, geography, political science, economics, including civics and an understanding of government and legal systems
Instruction in at least one foreign language (to begin by 7th grade) to develop communication skills in that language
Ongoing PE with emphasis on health and fitness
Courses in physical and biological sciences, focusing on fundamental concepts, theories, and scientific investigation (e.g., life science, Earth science, chemistry, physics)
Courses from basic math through advanced topics (pre-algebra, algebra, geometry, etc.), aimed at developing quantitative reasoning and problem-solving
Continued instruction in arts (art, music, drama, etc.) to foster creative expression
Practical arts such as industrial arts, technology, home economics, or agricultural/vocational education
Courses preparing students for vocations or careers, aligned with community workforce needs (e.g., technical or trade courses)
Knowledge of vehicle operation and safety, including traffic laws and responsible driving habits (typically offered in high school)
Note: Not every private homeschool will cover all of these high school areas in depth (for example, driver's ed or certain vocational courses might be skipped), but the law's intent is that a secondary education be well-rounded. Families often prioritize core academics but have flexibility in electives.
Private schools in California set their own graduation requirements, since there is no state-imposed credit requirement for private high schools.
Planning your curriculum with the future in mind (college, trades, etc.) is recommended, even though you have legal flexibility.
Within the broad subject requirements, private homeschoolers have complete freedom in choosing curriculum and defining specific course content.
This flexibility is one of the greatest advantages of homeschooling in California.
One of the advantages of homeschooling in California is that parents do not need any special certification to teach their own children when operating as a private school.
Unlike some states that require a minimum level of education for homeschooling parents, California law only specifies that teachers in a private school be "persons capable of teaching". There is no requirement for a California teaching credential or college degree for the parent-teacher in a home-based private school.
For parents homeschooling through the Private School Affidavit method:
This freedom was affirmed in court case Jonathan L. v. Superior Court (2008), which upheld that homeschooling through the private school affidavit is permissible without requiring teacher certification.
This is the only homeschool option that requires credentials:
This option is essentially like hiring a private teacher who meets the same credential standards as a public school teacher.
For families using public charter or district independent study programs:
This option blends the benefits of homeschooling flexibility with the support of a credentialed educator.
The law's phrase "capable of teaching" is intentionally broad. In practice, it means:
In summary, any parent or guardian can homeschool their child in California under the private school option, regardless of educational background, as long as they are willing to take responsibility for their child's education.
California does not require homeschool students in private schools to participate in standardized testing or submit to annual evaluations. This is a significant freedom that sets California apart from many other states.
The California Department of Education explicitly notes that "state testing is not required of private schools," which includes home-based private schools. There is no mandate to take the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) or submit to any official academic evaluation.
If you are homeschooling via PSA (home-based private school) or PSP:
This independence is one of the key benefits of homeschooling through the private school option in California.
If your child is enrolled in a public charter ISP or district independent study program:
Joining a public program provides resources and support but brings back the testing and assessment requirements typical of public schools.
While not required, families may choose to do testing or assessments for their own purposes:
Many homeschooling parents gauge progress through regular quizzes in their curriculum or informal assessments rather than standardized tests.
California homeschoolers have minimal reporting requirements:
Note about returning to public school: If a homeschooled student returns to public school, the school may give placement tests or assess transcripts to decide on grade level or credit transfer. Each district can evaluate incoming students per their policies.
If you plan to re-enroll your child in public school later, be prepared for the school to test or otherwise assess them to determine appropriate placement.
When operating a home-based private school, you take on the recordkeeping duties of a private school administrator. California law requires private schools to maintain certain records to demonstrate that you are providing a legitimate educational program.
According to the California Department of Education, private schools must maintain certain records at the school site. These records help establish your compliance with homeschooling laws and can be important if questions ever arise regarding your child's education.
Required by law for all private schools:
Attendance records are one of the most important documents to maintain as they directly relate to compulsory education compliance.
Required by law for all private schools:
This record demonstrates that you are covering the required subject areas and have an educational plan in place.
Required by law for all private schools:
Remember that California law only requires private school teachers to be "persons capable of teaching" with no specific credential requirements.
Highly recommended but not explicitly required:
These additional records can be valuable if your child transfers to another school or if you need to demonstrate the quality of your homeschool program.
If you are using a public charter independent study program:
Public charter homeschool programs typically have more stringent recordkeeping requirements than independent private homeschools.
For those using the tutor exemption:
While there are fewer explicit recordkeeping requirements for the tutor option, maintaining good records is still important for demonstrating compliance.
One of the hallmarks of homeschooling in California is the relative lack of active oversight from education authorities, as long as you comply with the basic legal requirements.
Private schools operate outside the direct jurisdiction of the California Department of Education and most state regulations. There is no routine monitoring or evaluation of home-based private schools by the CDE or local school districts.
Parents who file the PSA and keep required records experience:
This educational freedom is a significant benefit of homeschooling in California compared to many other states.
If your child is of school age and not attending public school:
Keeping your PSA confirmation handy can help resolve any questions quickly and efficiently.
Enforcement typically only occurs if a family fails to comply with compulsory education law:
Important: Families who have filed the PSA or enrolled in an ISP are NOT deemed truant since their children are attending a legally recognized educational program.
If you are homeschooling legally (filed PSA, etc.), the state does not supervise your academic program:
This academic freedom allows you to tailor education to your child's needs without state interference.
School district interactions with homeschoolers vary:
Being polite but firm about your legal rights usually prevents problems with districts.
For families in public charter programs, oversight is built into the system:
Charter program oversight is the trade-off for receiving public resources and support for homeschooling.
California's legal structure provides strong protections for homeschooling families in terms of educational freedom, while requiring relatively few compliance obligations.
Homeschools operating as private schools are essentially treated like any private school: they have broad autonomy to design their educational program, and the state cannot impose curriculum or testing on them. The California Education Code and regulatory stance make it clear that the state's role is minimal—the CDE does not monitor, inspect, or evaluate private schools.
California law explicitly allows homeschooling through the private school and tutor exemptions:
As discussed in the Parent Qualifications section:
Your homeschool records remain private:
California's health laws provide specific exemptions for homeschoolers:
Despite strong legal protections, families should be mindful of these common compliance pitfalls:
Overall, compliance in California is not burdensome, but it is crucial to stay on top of the few requirements that do exist:
By following these simple rules, you gain the full benefit of California's strong legal protections for homeschoolers and can educate your children with confidence and minimal interference.
Homeschooling can be challenging without support, and fortunately California has a wealth of statewide organizations, local groups, co-ops, and online resources to assist families in their homeschooling journey.
These groups provide information on legal compliance, curriculum ideas, networking with other homeschoolers, and general encouragement. By tapping into these networks, you can stay informed about legal requirements and gain insights into best practices. Whether you need legal help, curriculum ideas, or just friends for your kids to play with, there's a resource available to support your homeschooling journey.
The CDE's own website provides useful information on legal requirements:
A statewide, inclusive (secular) advocacy organization run by experienced homeschoolers:
Another major statewide organization inclusive of all homeschooling styles:
A statewide Christian homeschool organization:
A national organization that defends the rights of homeschooling families:
Across California's counties and cities, there are numerous local support groups:
How to Find Local Groups:
Joining a local group provides encouragement, social opportunities for kids, and a chance for parents to share tips and curriculum.
Online Homeschool Communities:
Educational Resources:
Online resources can be especially valuable for families in rural areas or those unable to attend in-person groups regularly.
If you are homeschooling a child with special needs, additional resources are available:
This is a complex area where support groups can be very helpful in guiding families through both educational and legal considerations.
While homeschooling means taking full responsibility for your child's education, you are not alone. California's homeschool community is large and diverse:
Homeschooling in California is a well-worn path with extensive support networks available to help you succeed.
Learning Corner offers several AI-powered tools that can assist California homeschoolers:
Analyze your student's activity to understand which concepts they're learning, helping California homeschool parents track academic progress across required subject areas.
Create custom quizzes and assessments to track student progress and ensure comprehensive coverage of California's required subject areas.
Generate customized worksheets for practice and reinforcement across all required California subject areas.
Create structured lesson plans that can serve as documentation of your instruction and help maintain recommended records for California homeschoolers.
Last Updated: April 24, 2025