California

California does not have a separate homeschool law. Instead, families homeschool under three legal options. First, you can run your homeschool as a home-based private school. Second, you can enroll in a private school satellite program (PSP), which oversees home learning. Third, your child can learn from a private tutor who holds a California teaching credential. School is required from age 6 to 18. For the first two options, a private school affidavit is filed each year from October 1 to 15.

Day to day, a home-based private school keeps an attendance register and teaches in English. It teaches the courses commonly taught in public schools. It also keeps lists of courses and instructors, plus immunization records. However, home-based private schools do not have to immunize their students. There is no required testing. Also, state rules bar homeschoolers from public school sports teams. In addition, a new law on child safety took effect on July 1, 2026. It can apply to PSPs, but not to parents who run their own home-based private school. For full details on each topic, use the links below.