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California homeschool law

Notice, days or hours, subjects, testing and records, in plain words, with the source for each.

This is general information, not legal advice; check your state's own page. Laws change, and California's own statute and education department are the final word. The links below go straight to them.

Checked on against the sources linked on this page.

What to file in California

File
A Private School Affidavit each year, on the private-school-at-home route most families use. §
To
California Department of Education (online). §
By
Between October 1 and October 15 each year; a new school can file from August 1 to June 30. §
Keep
An attendance register showing every absence of a half day or more, and a copy of the affidavit. §
Test
None found for private schools. §
Starting this year
  • When you open your home school (the filing system is open August 1 to June 30): File the Private School Affidavit online with the California Department of Education.
Already homeschooling
  • Between October 1 and October 15: File this year's Private School Affidavit.
Leaving a school mid-year

The Department of Education says a student not enrolled in a public school and not exempt under the Education Code may be declared truant by the local school district. A private school that has not filed the affidavit does not exempt its students.

Open your attendance recordStart the Tap Clock, if you want to

What California's law asks you to keep, as tools: Attendance. The same rows for every state: what to file, by state.

Checked . § = source: Department of Education: Private Schools Frequently Asked Questions; California Education Code 48222 (legislature). Information, not legal advice.

Quick answers

Notice
Notice every yearCalifornia has no separate homeschool law. Most home-teaching families are exempt by running a private school at home, and a private school files a Private School Affidavit each year with the state Department of Education between October 1 and October 15. The state's filing system is open from August 1 to June 30 for new schools and home schools. A credentialed private tutor is a different route and has no affidavit in the statute. Checked October 27, 2026. Source: Department of Education: Private Schools Frequently Asked Questions
Days or hours
No number givenThe private school route sets no number of days or hours; the Department of Education says the law does not define full-time. The private tutor route says at least 3 hours a day for 175 days each calendar year, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Checked October 27, 2026. Source: California Education Code 48224 (legislature), Department of Education: Private Schools Frequently Asked Questions
Subjects
A private school must offer instruction in the several branches of study required in the public schools, which Education Code 51210 (grades 1 to 6) and 51220 (grades 7 to 12) list. The Department says private schools choose their own curriculum. Checked October 27, 2026. Source: California Education Code 48222 (legislature), California Education Code 51220 (legislature)
Testing or evaluation
No testing requiredWe found no testing or evaluation rule for private schools. The Department of Education says private schools are outside the state accountability system and answer to students and parents. Checked October 27, 2026. Source: Department of Education: Private Schools Frequently Asked Questions
Records
A private school keeps attendance in a register that shows every absence of a half day or more. The school should also keep a copy of its filed affidavit, and the Department of Education collects no student records. Checked October 27, 2026. Source: California Education Code 48222 (legislature)
Who must attend school
Children from age 6 to age 18 must attend public full-time day school unless the law exempts them (Education Code 48200). Source: California Education Code 48200 (legislature)
Education savings accounts and vouchers
No program foundWe did not find a state-funded education savings account or voucher open to homeschool families. The Department of Education's private school page says no California state programs fund private school tuition except for a student with a disability placed by a public school district (checked 2026-10-27). Check the department's pages for changes. Source: Department of Education: Private Schools Frequently Asked Questions

What to do first

  1. Read California's own pages, linked under each row below, so you know what applies to your situation.
  2. Notice: Each year between October 1 and October 15 (new schools can file from August 1 to June 30) To: California Department of Education (Superintendent of Public Instruction).
  3. If your child is in school now: The Department of Education says a student not enrolled in a public school and not exempt under the Education Code may be declared truant by the local school district. A private school that has not filed the affidavit does not exempt its students.
  4. Plan the year around the days or hours and the subjects below.
  5. Start your records on day one: a simple attendance log, a list of books read and a work sample or two for each subject.

Other legal routes in California

  • Private school (including a home school). Education Code 48222 exempts children taught in a private full-time day school by persons capable of teaching. The Department of Education says this can be a parent teaching their own child at home if it meets the criteria for other private schools, and the school files the affidavit.
  • Credentialed private tutor. Education Code 48224 exempts children taught by a private tutor or other person holding a valid state credential for the grade taught, for at least 3 hours a day on 175 days each calendar year, in English.
  • Public school independent study or charter. The Department of Education says public school districts offer independent study, charter schools and other alternatives. Because they are public school enrolment, they meet compulsory attendance.

Records to keep

A private school keeps attendance in a register that shows every absence of a half day or more. The school should also keep a copy of its filed affidavit, and the Department of Education collects no student records. Whatever the law asks, many families also keep a simple attendance log, a list of books read and a few work samples for each subject; they cost nothing and help if you move or return to school.

Good to know

  • Who may teach: for the private school route the law says only persons capable of teaching, and the Department of Education says private school teachers need not hold a California teaching credential. The tutor route needs a valid state credential for the grade taught.
  • Filing the affidavit is registration only. The Department of Education says it is not approval, endorsement or evaluation, and that the affidavit should reflect actual enrollment of at least one student at the time of filing.
  • The Department of Education says it has no authority to regulate or monitor private schools, and that no state agency licenses them.

Where this comes from

Checked on October 27, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice; check your state's own page, and confirm with your school district or the department before you rely on a date. Something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it.