• Homeschooling in California has grown rapidly since the early 1990s and is authorized by the California Education Code, specifically section 48200. Other parts of the code that affect homeschooling are §33190, §48222, §48415, §51210 and §51220. The general requirement is that all children between the age of 6 and 18 attend school, which leaves much latitude in practice. While homeschooling is under the direct purview of the state, in practice the points of contact will be your county education department or local school district.
  
  

Step One

• The law requires that all children attend public school and then provides exceptions. California Education Code §48220 provides the basic exemption that allows homeschooling: the private school. In order to take advantage of this loophole, you must comply with §33190, which requires the filing of a Private School Affidavit between the dates October 1 and October 15 each year. While this does not provide accreditation or official recognition, it does serve to notify the Department of Education of your intent and meets the requirement. Filing the affidavit is also key to using the exemption from public instruction authorized in Education Code §48415.
  
  The form contains all pertinent information about the school, staff and students, including names and addresses of faculty, staff and directors. It also certifies compliance with other sections such as §44237, which requires fingerprinting of all employees and that all applicable records will be accurate and properly maintained.
  
  

Grade Levels One to Six

• Section 51210 of the California Education Code specifies the course of instruction for students in grades one to six. The required subjects include English, Math, Social Science, Science, Visual and Performing Arts, Health and 200 minutes of Physical Education for every 10 school days. The course material is required to be age-appropriate and comprehensive.
  
  

Grade Levels Seven to 12

• Section 51220 describes the coursework required for grade levels seven to 12. It includes all the same subjects as previous grades but at enhanced age-appropriate levels. Significant differences occur in the Social Sciences where there is now a requirement to teach government, the legal system and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. The Physical Education requirement is doubled to 400 minutes of vigorous activity per 10 school days.
  
  New areas of instruction are introduced covering Applied Arts such as homemaking, industrial arts and agriculture. Career education is required to prepare the student to enter the employment market and Driver's Education is added to the curriculum.