Getting Started

Must Read Articles For New Homeschool Families

1. Withdrawing From Public School
2. Homeschool Laws State by State
3. The Top 10 Reasons for Home Schooling
4. Is Homeschooling better than Public School?
5. The Pros and Cons of Home Schooling ?
6. Homeschool Laws State by State.
7. Can I Home School ?
8. What are all these different kinds of home schooling methods…Classical, Unit Studies, Unschooling?
9. What is Self-Directed Learning?
10. How do Home Schoolers make Friends?
11. How do I Convince My Parents to Home School Me?
12. Get Connected

3 great options for FREE home schooling in California

1.File the CA Private School Affidavit and create your private school for your children. Then you can spend very little, or no money, by using public resources including the library and free online curriculum. For more free resources-see the free homeschooling resource page. If you choose to file an affidavit, you will have the freedom to design your whole schooling plan and curriculum.

2. Charter Schools are best described as public schools that operate almost like private schools. Many offer specialties and have a unique focus.

According to California Charter Schools Association, “There are 750 charter schools serving over 276,000 charter school students in California.Over the past 10 years, charter schools have consistently grown by an average of 50 schools a year.”

If you want homeschool through a Charter school-look for one that offers an independent study program. Many California Charter schools offer directed funds for parents where the parent chooses curriculum and classes and the school pays for the cost. Sky View Charter School and Julian Charter School are two examples of charter schools that offer homeschooling and parent directed funds.

Charter schools are public schools, tuition free, provide state standardized testing, employ credentialed teachers and are nondiscriminatory.

3. Online Cyber Schools are gaining in popularity. These programs use standardized programs, textbooks and computers. Families are supported by  credentialed teachers. The most popular school of this type, in California is CAVA. There are several other schools offering online programs  including Kaplan, Connections Academy and Insight.