State laws change from time to time and though we try to keep the laws up-to-date at all times please check with the department of education for any changes that may have occurred.
There are many reasons to seriously consider homeschooling: you’re in control of what your children are learning, you get to decide how much time you want to spend on different subjects, you can adapt the material to suit your children’s needs, and you don’t have to worry about your children dealing with schoolyard bullies.
Whether you’ve already made this decision or you just plan to, we’re here to show you how to homeschool in California. We’ll help you make full use of the educational potential of California, we’ll let you in on the California homeschool requirements, and we’ll offer you a diverse range of useful online homeschool resources that will guarantee your homeschooling success. Use the infographic and video below to create a homeschool that thrives.
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Homeschooling in CA - The Golden State
If you plan to homeschool, California is a great place to be in. One of the most famous states in the US, California is also the most populous. As such, Los Angeles is a beehive of different cultures and peoples, and the surrounding areas are full of natural beauties. You really can’t go wrong if you decide to homeschool here, as there’s something in the Golden State to suit all tastes.
If your kid’s into geography and biology, take him into the beautiful Yosemite National Park. Go hiking through the beautiful sequoias, admire the wonderful waterfalls and enjoy the breathtaking landscapes. You’ve also got the western-looking Death Valley National Park, if your children are into westerns and desert landscapes.
Apart from that, California offers plenty of attractions in terms of arts and high culture, too. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is the largest such museum in the US, and the Oakland Museum of California showcases some of the most interesting exhibits of California art, history and natural sciences.
Sports are also well represented in The Golden State, with the highest number of major sports franchises in the US – no fewer than eighteen! Your children will be able to practice any popular sports they wish, from baseball to hockey – everything’s right at your doorstep.
CA Homeschool Laws
California may offer all these beautiful educational opportunities, but it doesn’t really have a homeschool statute. This means you’ll have to work your way through the local legislation, but things are pretty straight forward once you do your research; plus, we’re here to help with just that.
To begin with, you’ve got quite a few options to choose from: you can choose to operate as an independent private school, go with an umbrella school (you’ll basically enroll with a supervising private school rather than the state), choose to employ private tutors, or choose an independent study program operated by a public or charter school.
If you go with the first option, you’ll have to file an affidavit with the Superintendent of Public Instruction, in which you’ll have to include information related to your children’s grade, the number of teachers, and a statement that you’re going to keep the required records. This is an annual process that you’ll have to do each year between October 1 and 15. Once you do that, there’s no compulsory qualifications that you need to have, no minimum number of hours and no compulsory assessment. You’ll have to keep a record of attendance and of the courses provided, though.
Operating under an umbrella school means that you’ll have to do the same process, only that it’ll be with the supervising private school of your choice. The requirements are the same, but the minimum number of hours and the assessment are to be decided by each individual school.
You’ve also got the possibility to employ tutors for your children. In this case, you won’t have to file any notification, but you’ll have to provide at least 175 days of instruction to your children, and you’ll have to work with certified tutors.
Finally, there’s the public school district or charter school option, in which case you’ll have to enroll your children with a school of your choice. All other requirements depend on that individual school.
Regardless of your choice, homeschooling laws in California require you to provide your children with education comparable to that offered by a public school. You will also undergo background criminal checks, if you go for any of the first two options.
You can find more information on California homeschool laws here: http://www.responsiblehomeschooling.org/policy-issues/state-by-state/california/
California Homeschool Friendliness Grade
We’re giving California a well-deserved B when it comes to homeschool friendliness, and that’s really because there’s no proper statute when it comes to home education. Other than that, navigating your way through the legal system should be pretty easy, and the wide range of options accommodate all homeschooling preferences.
Conclusion
You can’t go wrong if you decide to homeschool in California, as The Golden State offers plenty of live educational resources that you’ll just love to teach with and learn from. You’ve also got quite a few option when it comes to the legal statue of your homeschool, provided that you take care of the compulsory paper work. It’s all pretty straight forward, nonetheless, and the bustling homeschooling community is there to show you how to start homeschooling in CA, too. That said, we’re here to help you, too – just get in touch if you’ve got any questions.
Resources
http://www.homeschoolla.us/ - a website dedicated to LA homeschoolers. Here you’ll find many homeschooling resources and opportunities to connect with fellow homeschoolers
http://www.urbanhomeschoolers.com/ - a learning center getting you in touch with charter schools around LA and offering plenty of homeschooling resources