Please note, this is not intended as legal advice. This is for informational purposes only and should you choose to Homeschool in California then you need to double check the California Department of Education website for current regulations.
California has low levels of homeschool regulation in place and it’s important that you know the steps required for homeschooling your children in California. Once established, private school homeschools in California have an exceptional amount of freedom.
There are no reporting requirements regarding your child’s curriculum or grades, no annual testing, and you have complete autonomy to choose the best homeschool curriculum to meet your child’s specific learning needs.
California requires homeschoolers to follow certain steps to begin homeschooling. Although there are several options to choose from for registering to homeschool, many parents choose to establish a home-based private school.
Homeschooling parents can establish a private school based in their home by filing a California homeschool affidavit. The Private School Affidavit (PSA) can be filed with the California Department of Education (CDE) on their website. It must be filed every year that you plan to continue homeschooling as a private school entity.
Fellow homeschoolers in your state are best equipped to help you navigate these regulations. Here are a few secular homeschool groups in California to connect with.
California Secular Homeschool Groups
“(AOHL) was formed in the mid-90s by a group of parents committed to teaching their children at home. Our goals are developing friendships amongst members, organizing activities, sharing resources, creating liaisons with other home-learning groups, and providing information to those considering or new to home-learning. AOHL promotes tolerance and respect towards all members regardless of learning style; family configuration; or racial, cultural and religious background. We welcome diversity.”
“A free secular home-schooling group for those that live in the areas of Auburn, Foresthill, Newcastle, Penryn, Loomis, Rocklin, Roseville & all the in betweens, California.”
This is “an all-volunteer homeschool support group, accepting of all homeschool styles and religious faiths. “
“Formerly RK SoCal Teens. This is a diverse group of homeschooled and unschooled teens, tweens and their parents located in Southern CA who gather for dances, field trips, camp outs, movies and other fun events.”
Inland Empire Secular/Inclusive Homeschoolers
“This group provides a space for homeschooling families in the IE to connect with others for inspiration, support, and fun. We are a secular group but welcome anyone who is respectful of others. Members should be comfortable with science (vaccines, evolution, etc.) and with varied identity expressions.”
“Designed to help homeschooling/unschooling families in North Orange County connect, build community, and share resources. We welcome all families: from unschoolers to charterschoolers, whether you stay at home or work full time… or even if you’re just curious about this whole homeschooling “thing” … join and share with each other your homeschooling experience!”
San Diego Secular Homeschoolers
“This group is for families who are secular homeschoolers. This means that religion does not guide or influence their educational choices.”
San Diego Secular Homeschooling Families
“A radical and collaborative homeschool community for miscreants and misfits.”
Santa Clarita Homeschoolers and Hybrid Schoolers
“This group will be posting various homeschool events (field trips, dances, game nights, moms nights, parkdays, beach days and much more), all social opportunities that any homeschoolers are welcome to attend in Santa Clarita and surrounding areas.”
Secular Homeschool Families – Galt/ Lodi/ Stockton
“SHF- Galt/ Lodi/ Stockton is a secular homeschool community where cultural, spiritual and educational diversity are honored. Families give one another encouragement, respect and support. We are an inclusive and diverse group of homeschoolers with a particular love of the outdoors, cultural arts and pure sciences.”
Sonoma County Homeschoolers Nonprofit
This is “an inclusive organization providing support, resources, and networking opportunities to families who educate their children at home. We offer information to anyone interested in homeschooling in Sonoma County.”
“CIRCLE (Children Involved in a Respectful Co-operative Learning Environment) is an all-inclusive, secular homeschool community and does not discriminate against anyone regarding religion, politics, race, gender, sexuality, age, educational methods, or other differentiating factors. The group is open to families seeking a respectful co-operative learning environment and community. All ages are welcome, from infants through adults.”
“This is an all-inclusive homeschool support group in the San Francisco East Bay Area (580 and 680 corridors). We welcome all homeschooling families regardless of worldview, lifestyle, or homeschooling method.”
Yuba/Sutter Secular Inclusive Homeschoolers
“This group is open to any homeschooler or educator who considers themselves an secular academic, who appreciates the value of an academically rich education, and who wants to promote that within our homeschool community.”
