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How to start homeschooling

How to Start Homeschooling in California

California has moderate homeschool requirements. Families must homeschool at least 175 days per year, and you'll file notice with the state Department of Education.

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California at a glance

Required days
175 days/year
Required subjects
7 subjects
Notice
Required
Testing / evaluation
Not required
Recordkeeping
Recommended

Jump to the full California requirements for plain-English detail on each of these.

Step by step

  1. 1

    Understand California's homeschool law

    California has moderate homeschool requirements. Families must homeschool at least 175 days per year, and you'll file notice with the state Department of Education.

  2. 2

    Withdraw from public school (if enrolled)

    California handles the transition from public school at the state level: send a withdrawal letter to the child's current school, then file a notice of intent directly with the state Department of Education. Homeschool Fox generates a compliant withdrawal letter from your family's details in a few clicks.

  3. 3

    File your notice of intent

    Yes, California requires you to file notice of your intent to homeschool. You must notify the state Department of Education.

  4. 4

    Plan your subjects

    California requires instruction in the following subjects: math, language arts, social studies, science, visual/performing arts, health, and physical education. Beyond these requirements, you have flexibility to add subjects that interest your family.

  5. 5

    Set your hours or days target

    California doesn't specify a minimum number of hours, but requires at least 175 days of instruction per year.

  6. 6

    Track your hours and keep records

    Log activities as they happen so hours, attendance, and subject coverage build up automatically. Homeschool Fox lets you log from your phone or by voice and generates a California-specific compliance report when you need it.

Free tool

Calculate your homeschool pace

California tracks days, not hours. We suggest aiming for 900 hours/year as a personal target. Enter your end date to see the pace.

Leave at 0 if you haven't started tracking yet.

Add your school year end date to see your pace.

Save my state tracking plan

We'll set up your dashboard with California's tracking targets. No credit card required.

What Homeschool Fox tracks for California

Everything California expects you to keep, in one place — no spreadsheets, no lost notebooks.

  • Days toward your 175-day goal
  • Required subjects & core hours
  • Daily activity logs
  • Attendance records
  • Notes & portfolio records
  • Printable PDF reports
  • High school transcripts
  • State-specific progress tracking
Start logging today

More California guides

Ready to start homeschooling in California?

Set up your California-specific dashboard, log your first activity, and watch your hours add up.

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14-day free trial. No credit card required.