Homeschooling in California: what the state requires
The rules for homeschooling in California, in plain English, from the state’s own sources.
Checked October 1, 2026 against official California sources. State page: California Department of Education — Schooling at Home. Compulsory school age: 6 to 18.
Home-based private school (Private School Affidavit)
Parent establishes a home-based private school, files the Private School Affidavit (PSA) with the Superintendent of Public Instruction each year, teaches in English the branches of study required in public schools, and keeps an attendance register.
For every child
| Notice or registration | Required. Between October 1 and October 15 each year (EC 33190) — Private School Affidavit filed annually with the Superintendent of Public Instruction (online via CDE), under penalty of perjury. Filing a PSA is not approval or accreditation by CDE. The online system is open August 1 through June 30 for new schools; schools established in July wait until the filing period opens in August. |
|---|---|
| Required subjects | English, mathematics, social sciences, science, visual and performing arts, health, physical education — EC 48222: instruction in English 'in the several branches of study required to be taught in the public schools.' Elementary grades (EC 51210): English, mathematics, social sciences, science, visual and performing arts, health, physical education. Grades 7-12 (EC 51220): English, social sciences, foreign language, physical education, science, mathematics, visual and performing arts, applied arts, career technical education, automobile driver education. |
| Days | No minimum days set for private schools in EC 48222. |
| Hours | No minimum hours set for private schools in EC 48222. |
| Testing or evaluation | Not required. No testing requirement in EC 48222 or 33190. |
| Records | Required. Attendance register indicating clearly every absence of a half day or more (EC 48222). CDE also lists keeping courses of study offered and the names, addresses and educational qualifications of faculty. |
| Teacher | Instruction must be by 'persons capable of teaching' (EC 48222); no credential required. |
By grade
Subjects by grade: EC 48222: instruction in English 'in the several branches of study required to be taught in the public schools.' Elementary grades (EC 51210): English, mathematics, social sciences, science, visual and performing arts, health, physical education. Grades 7-12 (EC 51220): English, social sciences, foreign language, physical education, science, mathematics, visual and performing arts, applied arts, career technical education, automobile driver education.
High school and graduation
CDE: 'You will need to create your own diploma and transcripts for your home-based private school.'
Official sources:
- CDE — Schooling at Home
- CDE — Schooling at Home FAQ
- CDE — Private School Affidavit FAQ
- CDE — Education Code for Private Schools (EC 33190, 48200, 48222, 51210, 51220)
Not confirmed on an official state page yet: Statute text read via CDE's Education Code page; leginfo.legislature.ca.gov could not be fetched (robots). Immunization rules for home-based private schools not verified.
Private tutor with a valid California teaching credential
Child is taught by a tutor (who may be the parent) holding a valid state credential for the grade taught, at least 3 hours a day for 175 days a year, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
For every child
| Notice or registration | Not required. No PSA required for students instructed by a credentialed tutor under EC 48224 (CDE PSA FAQ). |
|---|---|
| Required subjects | English, mathematics, social sciences, science, visual and performing arts, health, physical education — The several branches of study required in the public schools, in English (EC 48224); see EC 51210 (elementary grades) and EC 51220 (grades 7-12). |
| Days | 175 days — 175 days each calendar year (EC 48224). |
| Hours | 175 days of at least 3 hours. — At least three hours a day, offered between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. (EC 48224). |
| Testing or evaluation | Not required. No testing requirement in EC 48224. |
| Teacher | Tutor must hold a valid state credential for the grade taught. |
By grade
Subjects by grade: The several branches of study required in the public schools, in English (EC 48224); see EC 51210 (elementary grades) and EC 51220 (grades 7-12).
High school and graduation
No statute reviewed sets graduation requirements for this option.
Official sources:
Not confirmed on an official state page yet: Record-keeping requirements for the tutor option not confirmed.
Enroll in an existing private school offering independent study
Child is enrolled in an existing private school (one that files its own PSA) that offers online learning or independent study, with the parent teaching at home.
For every child
| Notice or registration | Not required. The private school, not the parent, files the PSA (EC 33190). |
|---|---|
| Required subjects | English, mathematics, social sciences, science, visual and performing arts, health, physical education — Same EC 48222 requirement as any private school. |
| Days | Set by the private school. |
| Hours | Set by the private school. |
| Testing or evaluation | Not required. |
| Records | Required. Attendance register kept by private school authorities (EC 48222). |
| Teacher | Persons capable of teaching (EC 48222). |
By grade
No rule in this option changes with the grade.
High school and graduation
Diploma requirements set by the private school.
Official sources:
High school: the public-school diploma as a guide
Optional for homeschools in most states, but the credit plan most colleges and employers recognize, and a sound default for a homeschool transcript. Shown in the subject areas this site uses.
| English | 3.0 |
| Mathematics | 2.0 |
| Science | 2.0 |
| Social Studies | 3.0 |
| Physical Education & Health | 2.0 |
| Electives Visual or Performing Arts, World Language, or Career Technical Education 1 | 1.0 |
| Total | 13.0 |
|---|
EC 51225.3 counts year-long COURSES, not credits (total = 13 courses); districts set their own credit totals and may add requirements. Adds one semester of Ethnic Studies starting with graduates in 2029-30, and one semester standalone Personal Finance starting with graduates in 2030-31 (per CDE).
Source: CDE — State Minimum High School Graduation Requirements
After graduation: what to plan for
Suggestions from Homeschool Corral, not state rules. Most families keep the college path open through 10th grade, then narrow.
- 4 English, 4 math (through Algebra II, pre-calculus if they can), 3–4 science with 2 labs, 3–4 social studies, 2–3 years of one foreign language, 1 fine arts
- A one-paragraph description for every high-school course; the parent signs the transcript and diploma
- PSAT in 10th and 11th; SAT or ACT by spring of 11th; dual credit, AP or CLEP where it fits
- A log of activities, service and work from 9th grade; two adults who can recommend them
- A Scholarship Finder profile by 11th grade; FAFSA when it opens in the fall of 12th
- A diploma and transcript with 4 English, 3 math, 3 science, 3 social studies; applied math every year
- Dual-credit career and technical courses in 11th–12th; OSHA 10 and first aid/CPR; a driver’s license
- Real projects and a part-time job logged as credits, with references; visit the union hall about pre-apprenticeships in 11th
- A parent-issued diploma and full transcript, signed and dated; recruiters ask for both
- Strong reading and arithmetic for the entrance test; a practice ASVAB in 11th
- Physical fitness as a logged course; service and leadership; for an academy or ROTC, the college list plus the SAT/ACT early
- The diploma and transcript anyway; personal finance and business basics as credits
- Work experience logged with hours and a reference from 10th grade; typing, spreadsheets, a clear email
- Keep the college path open: a foreign language and Algebra II cost little now
My Homeschool turns these into a checklist for each child, with the credits recorded in Transcripts counted against the plan.
CDE also lists public options used by home learners: public charter schools and public school independent study programs (these are public school enrollment, not homeschool law).
This is a plain-English summary of the state’s official sources, checked on the date shown. It is not legal advice, and laws change. Read the linked official pages, and check with the state or your local school district if anything is unclear.
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