California Homeschool Charter Schools
As we mentioned on the California Homeschool Laws page, there are multiple ways to legally homeschool in the state. If not choosing to set up a private school in their home, families have the option of hiring a tutor, joining a homeschool private school satellite program (PSP), joining a public school independent study program (ISP), or joining a public charter school program that caters to homeschoolers. Read on to find out what constitutes a public charter school experience for homeschooling and to get answers to some of the most common questions about charter schools in CA.
- How Homeschool Charter Schools work in California
- Frequently Asked Questions about Charter Schools
- Leading Homeschool Charter Schools in CA
- Homeschool Charter Schools and Time4Learning
- Additional Resources Related to Homeschooling in California
Legal disclaimer: This page provides suggestions and information on how to meet the mandatory school attendance laws in California. It is not intended and should not be used as definitive legal advice. In most states, parents find a variety of legal methods to pursue the educational approach that they prefer for their child.
How Homeschool Charter Schools Work in California
The experience of homeschooling using a public charter school is a unique one. It might best be described as “co-education” between parents and the school system. When homeschooling families register with a charter school, their child is still a part of the public-school system. The parent is considered a teacher’s aide. Parents should investigate the Charter schools carefully to find the school that best fits their needs. The state of California pays for the curriculum, supplies, and classes, which works as an advantage for many parents. The homeschool stipend California offers can usually be used in a variety of ways in these charter schools.
If your family has decided to go the route of a charter school for homeschooling, there are many variables from school to school that are worth researching before making your choice. Factors you’d want to know about each school could include:
- Type of curriculum offered
- Flexibility of curriculum choices
- On-site attendance time required by students
- Availability of teachers for questions
- How available stipend funds must be used
- How standardized testing is handled
- Record keeping required
Frequently Asked Questions about Home-Based Charter Schools in CA
Because it is such a unique schooling option, it is understandable that you may have many questions about homeschooling using a charter school in California. While the CA Department of Education or one of the state homeschooling associations should be your chief source of information regarding this option, we’re addressing some of the top FAQs about charter school homeschooling in CA below.
Q: How do I find a local charter school near me?
A: The California Department of Education provides a full map for locating charter schools by county.
Q: Do charter schools offer online curriculum?
A: Many charter schools offer the option of online curriculum for some or all of a student’s coursework.
Q: What is an education specialist?
A: Most charter schools that use independent study offer parents an Educational Specialist as a guide. This person is a credentialed teacher who provides educational support to parents and students.
Leading Homeschool Charter Schools in CA
Because of the popularity of the option, starting a charter school in California has been a worthwhile goal for many educators. For that reason, homeschooling families usually have at least one charter school option to choose from in their county or surrounding counties. Below is a list of some of the most popular charter school options for homeschoolers in CA.
- Connecting Waters Charter School, Waterford
- Golden Valley Charter School, Ventura
- Hickman Charter School, Hickman
- Long Valley Charter School, Doyle
- Ocean Grove Charter School, Boulder Creek
- Sky Mountain Charter School, Diamond Springs
- South Sutter Charter School, Diamond Springs
- Valley Oaks Charter School, Bakersfield
- Ventura Charter School, Ventura
Homeschool Charter Schools and Time4Learning
When enrolled in a charter school that gives parents options about their curriculum, many families use Time4Learning as part of a customized educational plan. That’s because the program not only meets or exceeds California’s curriculum and course requirements, but also because it has a student-centered focus and high levels of interactivity. The program is flexible enough to be used with a broad array of student types, learning styles, and teaching methods. For more information on using Time4Learning’s online, interactive curriculum for preschool through twelfth grade in your home-based charter school, visit our Homeschool Charter Schools page.
Additional Resources Related to Homeschooling California
Have other questions about homeschooling in California? You may find the following pages helpful.
- Homeschooling in California
- California Homeschooling Laws
- California Homeschool Associations
- California Homeschool Groups and Co-ops
- Homeschool Field Trips in California
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