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Homeschool laws in California

California offers several legal ways to homeschool, including filing as a home-based private school, using a private school satellite program, or hiring a credentialed private tutor. The most common independent route is the private school affidavit option, which brings annual filing and basic private-school recordkeeping.

Last verified

2026-04-20

Compulsory age range

6-18

Quick-start checklist

What parents need to do first

This is the plain-English checklist a parent can follow to get started without reading a mountain of legal text.

1Choose your legal homeschool path before you begin teaching.
2If your child is leaving public school, withdraw them according to local school procedures.
3If you are using the home-based private school route, file your Private School Affidavit during the state filing window.
4Pick a curriculum that covers the main school subjects for your child’s grade level.
5Set up basic records, including attendance, course lists, and samples of student work.
6Build a transcript as your student moves into high school.
7Check local rules early if you want sports, special education support, or dual enrollment.

Full breakdown

Every field is designed to answer the real-world compliance questions parents ask first.

Legal status

Homeschooling is legal in California, but families need to choose one of the state’s legal pathways and follow the rules for that option.

Compulsory age range

6-18

Notification required

Yes, in most common homeschool setups. Families using the home-based private school route file a Private School Affidavit each year, while other legal options have different paperwork.

Who you notify

Usually the California Department of Education for the private school affidavit route; families withdrawing from public school may also need to notify the local school.

Notification deadline

For the private school affidavit route, file annually between October 1 and October 15. If starting later, families should review the current CDE instructions for late filing.

Required subjects

English, Mathematics, Science, Social studies, Other branches of study commonly taught in public school

Hours or days required

California does not set a simple homeschool hourly minimum for every pathway, but private schools are generally expected to offer instruction comparable in scope to public school branches of study.

Record keeping

For the private school affidavit route, keep attendance records, course information, and the basic records required of private schools. Many families also keep work samples and transcripts.

Testing and evaluation

No statewide testing is required for families homeschooling independently through the private school or private tutor routes.

Testing frequency

Not required for independent homeschooling.

Teacher qualifications

No teaching credential is required for a parent running a home-based private school, but the private tutor option requires a California teaching credential.

Curriculum freedom

Broad overall, though families should provide real instruction and cover the branches of study expected for students of similar ages in public school.

Umbrella school option

Yes. Many families use a private school satellite program or similar private-school umbrella instead of filing their own affidavit.

Virtual school option

Yes. California has public charter and independent study programs, but those are public-school options rather than independent homeschooling.

Special education

Access to special education services can be limited for independent homeschoolers and may depend on district practices or whether the student is enrolled in a public charter or other public program.

High school diploma

Parents operating a private homeschool or private school program can generally issue a diploma and transcript.

College admission

California colleges commonly review homeschool transcripts, course descriptions, and test or community college records when applicable.

Sports access

Access to public school sports is not guaranteed statewide for independent homeschoolers and often depends on local district, charter, or league rules.

Dual enrollment

Yes. Many homeschool students use community college dual enrollment, subject to local college rules.

Notes

First-pass draft generated from HSLDA and California DOE/statute sources. California has multiple legal homeschool pathways, so this entry mainly reflects the common home-based private school route and flags where rules differ for private tutor or charter-based options.

Official sources

Parent-friendly reminder

This page is designed to reduce confusion, not replace legal advice. If something changes or feels unclear, verify with your state Department of Education before making compliance decisions.

Want more homeschool guidance and encouragement? Follow Dani at @thedanicerrato.