California homeschool checklist for this year

Answer two questions and get the year's deadlines with their dates, the notice, testing and records, each linked to the law. Print it or tick it off here.

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.

Deadlines, forms and amounts checked on October 29, 2026 against the sources linked on this page.

California homeschool checklist, school year

Things to do, with their deadlines

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.
Source: Department of Education: Private Schools Frequently Asked Questions

The state's own form: Private School Affidavit (online).

All year

All year
Teach the subjects California names: English, mathematics, social sciences, science, visual and performing arts, health, physical education, world language (grades 7 to 12), applied arts (grades 7 to 12), career technical education (grades 7 to 12), automobile driver education (grades 7 to 12).
Source: California Education Code 48222 (legislature); California Education Code 51220 (legislature)
All year
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.
Source: California Education Code 48222 (legislature)

Good habits (not in the law)

Keep a copy of everything you send, and of any acknowledgement you get back, with the date.
Start simple records on day one: the days you teach, the books you read and a few samples of work in each subject. They help if you move, return to school or apply to college.

Dates shown are the next time each deadline comes round from today. Your ticks and answers stay in this browser; nothing is sent.

Where this comes from

California Education Code 48222 (legislature) (the law)
California Education Code 48224 (legislature) (the law)
California Education Code 48200 (legislature) (the law)
California Education Code 33190 (legislature) (the law)
California Education Code 51210 (legislature) (the law)
California Education Code 51220 (legislature) (the law)
Department of Education: Private Schools Frequently Asked Questions (state agency)

Checked on October 29, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. Laws and forms change; confirm a date with your school district or the state agency before you rely on it. For legal advice, ask a lawyer licensed in California; homeschool legal-help organizations and your state's homeschool groups can also point you to help. Something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it.