California Homeschool Explained

Learn about the California homeschooling laws and regulations through our organization based in Woodland Hills, California. California Homeschooling Now wants you to learn how to legally homeschool your children in California. Contact us at (888) 897-3075 for more information about the California homeschooling laws and what you can do about them.

Homeschooling Legally in California
All 50 states recognize the legal right of parents to homeschool their children. Each state sets its own standards and procedures for parents who wish to homeschool. In 2008, Judge Walter Croskey of the California Appellate Court, Division 2, ruled that homeschooling was not legal in California. This set off a firestorm that Justice Croskey could not have anticipated in his wildest nightmares. The justice’s ruling was based upon a particular case that was before him that was not representative of homeschooling in general, and therefore, his ruling on a narrow matter erroneously struck broadly at a much wider group. Fortunately, Justice Croskey’s ruling was vacated, and homeschoolers throughout California breathed a sigh of relief as they would not have to fear truancy officers and other officials tracking them down.

California Homeschooling Laws
California Education Code Section 51220 (Curriculum Requirements, Grades 7–12)
For thorough awareness and knowledge, homeschooling parents of junior high and high school students should look over the California Ed. Code, Section 512200 to 51229, found at this Website. This sets forth the legal academic subject requirements for California schools and is important to be aware of not only for peace of mind, but for planning and formulating your child’s curriculum, if you are a do-it-yourself family.

California Education Code Section 33190
(Annual Filing Affidavit as a Private School)
In California, a family who is homeschooling falls under the same category as a private school. Private schools are not required to staff certified or credentialed teachers, but they are required to follow the California Education Code, Section 33190, which reads as private school instruction on the elementary or high school level shall between the 1st and 15th day of October of each year, commencing on October 1, 1967, file with the State Superintendent of Public Instruction an affidavit or statement, under penalty of perjury, by the owner or other head setting forth the following information for the current year.