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California Homeschool Requirements Moderate regulation
What California requires from homeschool families — notification, subjects, hours, testing, and portfolio rules — with links to the current law. This is the same state data FolioKid uses to build your portfolio template.
File a Private School Affidavit annually by October 15 (most common pathway). No state testing requirement for home-based private schools.
Records you must keep in California
Most California families homeschool as a private school by filing the annual affidavit — the state does not review a portfolio, but you are responsible for keeping your own school records:
- A copy of your filed Private School Affidavit (PSA) (your legal basis for homeschooling)
- An attendance register recording each day of instruction (required of private schools under Educ. Code 48222)
- A courses of study outline and list of instructors (the faculty/curriculum records private schools must keep under 33190)
- Work samples organized by subject across the core academic areas (your evidence of what was taught)
- Immunization records (or a valid exemption) for each child
Your California filing timeline
- October 1–15 (each year)File your Private School Affidavit online with the California Department of Education.
- All year longKeep the attendance register current and collect work samples as you go.
- OngoingMaintain immunization and courses-of-study records at home in case they are requested.
- No state testingCalifornia does not require standardized testing for home-based private schools.
How FolioKid helps with California's requirements
You do the teaching; FolioKid keeps the private-school records California asks you to hold on to:
- Snap photos of work as it happens — FolioKid tags each entry by subject across the core academic areas.
- Log each day of instruction to build the attendance register California private schools must keep (there is no state hours minimum on the PSA path).
- Store your courses-of-study outline and immunization records alongside the work so everything lives in one place.
- Export a California-formatted portfolio PDF — or send a read-only share link (no account needed, expires in 30 days).
Free: the California Homeschool Records Checklist
A one-page printable PDF — exactly what to keep, your filing deadlines, and a blank attendance & hours log. We'll email it to you.
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Official California sources
- 📜 Cal. Educ. Code § 33190 — the statute itself
- 🏛️ California Department of Education — Schooling at Home
- 🔎 HSLDA — California homeschool law summary
California homeschool FAQ
What law governs homeschooling in California?
Homeschooling in California is governed by Cal. Educ. Code § 33190. File a Private School Affidavit annually by October 15 (most common pathway). No state testing requirement for home-based private schools. Always verify current requirements with your state department of education.
What subjects are required for homeschooling in California?
California does not specify required subjects in its homeschool law, though parents are responsible for providing instruction as defined by Cal. Educ. Code § 33190.
Does California require testing or a portfolio evaluation?
No — California does not require standardized testing or a portfolio evaluation, but keeping a portfolio of your child's work is still the simplest way to document progress.
Keeping records for California? Snap photos of your kids' work and FolioKid organizes them into a year-end portfolio PDF — formatted around California's requirements.
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