California Homeschool Requirements 2026
Everything you need to homeschool legally in California: notification deadlines, required subjects, testing requirements, and graduation standards. Updated for the 2025–2026 school year.
Official source for California
We link to the authoritative source so you can verify requirements directly with your state.
Questions to ask your state
- What are the notification requirements (deadline, form, who to send it to)?
- What subjects must be taught at my child's grade level?
- Is standardized testing required? At what grades, and what tests are accepted?
- Is a portfolio or annual evaluation required? What must it contain?
- What attendance or instructional hours are required per year?
- Who has authority to issue a high-school diploma for a homeschooled student?
- What is the process for withdrawing my child from public or private school?
- What records do I need to keep, and for how long?
Last reviewed
This is a summary for planning. Homeschool law changes. Confirm current requirements with the official source above before making enrollment decisions.
Additional Requirements Detail
Verified requirements for California.
Legal Requirements
What you need to homeschool legally in California
- Notification
- File a private school affidavit (R-4 form) with the California Department of Education between October 1–15 each year to operate as a private home-based school.
- Required Subjects
- Mathematics, language arts, social studies, science, health, and physical education.
- Testing
- No state-mandated standardized testing required for home-educated students.
- Portfolio / Records
- No portfolio submission required by the state.
Graduation Requirements
- Diploma Issued By
- Parent issues diploma as the private school operator.
- Credit Requirements
- No specific credit requirements mandated by the state.
- Notes
- Parents operating under the private school affidavit have full discretion over diploma requirements. Families may also use a credentialed tutor option or enroll through a public independent study program.
College Prep Readiness
Coming soon — Lab requirements, foreign language expectations, SAT/ACT targets, and dual enrollment policies for California colleges.
Available with the College Prep add-on