Homeschooling in California? California homeschools most often as a small private school — file one affidavit each year, and you’re free to teach your way. The real work is carrying every subject yourself, and that’s what Get Classically Educated was built to solve. Live, expert-led classical classes carry the teaching load, so your child gets a rigorous education and your family keeps its time — on just four hours a week.
Explore GCE: Elementary · Middle School · High School · Homeschooling by State
Is Homeschooling Legal in California?
Not legal advice. Get Classically Educated is an education provider — not a law firm or legal counsel. This is a plain-English summary for general information only; homeschool laws change and can vary by district, so always confirm current requirements with your state before you begin.
Yes — the most common path is filing a Private School Affidavit (PSA). Here’s what that involves:
- File your Private School Affidavit annually. Submit it to the California Department of Education between October 1 and October 15 each year. Starting mid-year? File as soon as possible.
- Teach courses commonly taught in public schools — language arts, math, science, social studies, health, and driver training (as age-appropriate).
- Keep records including your affidavit copies, an attendance register, immunization records, and a list of courses and instructors.
Families can also homeschool through an established private school (enrolling under its affidavit) or a public independent study/charter program — each with a different structure.
What California Requires You to Teach
Not legal advice. The subjects and rules described here are general information. Get Classically Educated is an education provider, not a law firm or legal counsel — confirm requirements with your state.
California expects instruction in the subjects commonly taught in public schools. Here’s where Get Classically Educated fits, and we’ll be straight with you: we cover language arts and social studies deeply — the heart of a classical education, taught through great books, writing, logic, rhetoric, history, and civics — plus science, research, and hands-on experiments. The subjects we leave to you are mathematics, health, and driver training. Because our program runs only about four hours of live class a week, you’ll have plenty of room to add them.
How to Start Homeschooling in California
Not legal counsel. This is a general guide, not legal advice. Verify the current steps with your state or school district before you begin.
- If your child is in public school, withdraw them before you begin.
- File your Private School Affidavit with the California Department of Education (by October 15, or promptly if starting later).
- Choose your curriculum, teach the required subject areas, and keep your records on file.
We take the heaviest part — the actual teaching — off your plate.
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Get My Free Sample Week →Why California Families Choose Get Classically Educated
California gives you the freedom to homeschool. We give you a way to do it well without losing your life to it. That promise has a name: 4 Hours to Freedom. Your child attends about four hours of live, expert-led class each week and does no more than four hours of independent work a day — leaving real time for family, faith, activities, and rest.
What sets the program apart:
- Live, expert-led classes. Real teachers, real discussion — not videos your child watches alone.
- A true classical education. The trivium — grammar, logic, and rhetoric — taught through great books, writing, and Socratic discussion, so your child learns to think, not just memorize.
- Science, research, and experiments built in. The base program trades rote math drills for hands-on science and real research skills.
- Grades 3 through 12, one continuous journey. A coherent, rigorous path from the elementary years to graduation.
- One flat tuition. $1,200 per year for the full-year base program — no per-course surprises.
California Homeschool FAQ
Do I have to notify the state of California to homeschool?
Under the most common path, yes — file a Private School Affidavit with the California Department of Education each year, typically by October 15.
Does my child have to take standardized tests?
California’s Private School Affidavit path does not carry a state standardized testing mandate.
California expects instruction commonly taught in public schools, including math — does GCE include math?
The GCE base program does not include math; it focuses on classical subjects plus science and research. You pair it with any math curriculum you like. With only about four hours of class a week, you’ll have time to add it easily.
What grades do you serve?
Grades 3 through 12 — one continuous classical education from the elementary years through high school graduation.
Ready to Homeschool in California — Without the Overwhelm?
Book a free, no-pressure call. We’ll answer your questions, walk you through how it works for your child’s grade, and help you decide if it’s the right fit.
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