Homeschool Laws in California
California law permits parents to homeschool their children by filing an annual private school affidavit with the California Department of Education. Under state education law, the parent or guardian establishes the home as a private school and submits this affidavit each year, typically between October 1 and October 15, to notify the state that the home is operating as a private school. The filing covers all children enrolled in that home school for the academic year. No prior approval from the state is required; the affidavit serves as the notification mechanism that brings the arrangement within the private school framework recognized under California education law.
California does not require homeschooled students to take any standardized tests or submit to formal academic assessments as a condition of compliance. Instruction must be provided in English and must cover the several branches of study required in public schools, as specified under state education law. California also imposes parent qualification requirements, meaning the person providing instruction must meet certain criteria established under state education law; families should review the current statutory language carefully to understand what those qualifications entail.
Homeschool statutes are subject to amendment by state legislatures, with most changes taking effect July 1 of a given year. The specific requirements described here reflect the law as understood through June 2026, and families should confirm current requirements directly with the California Department of Education. This summary is informational only and does not constitute legal advice.
Requirement details
| Required subjects | Instruction must be given in English and must cover “the several branches of study required in public schools.” |
|---|---|
| Parent qualifications | required_see_detail |
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Not legal advice. This page summarizes California law in plain English, verified as of June 2026 against the cited statutes. Legislatures amend homeschool law (most changes take effect July 1) — confirm current requirements with the state department of education or a licensed attorney before acting. How we verify this.