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Withdrawing from public school

How to Withdraw From School in California

Pulling your child out of public school in California to homeschool is usually a short, one-time process. Here are the steps, the letter you send, and how to time it so the district doesn't flag your child as truant.

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How withdrawal works in California

Because California has no homeschool statute, how you withdraw depends on your pathway. If you file your own PSA or join a PSP, notify your child's current public school in writing that they now attend a private school; the PSA or PSP is the legal record. If you move to a charter or district independent study program, that program handles the transfer. Send the notice before you stop attending to avoid a truancy referral, and keep a copy.

Step by step

  1. 1

    Confirm your child is currently enrolled

    This guide is for moving a currently enrolled student to homeschooling. If your child has never attended public school in California (a kindergartner you're starting at home, for example), there's usually nothing to withdraw from. A quick call to the school confirms their status.

  2. 2

    Send a written withdrawal letter to the school

    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.

    Download the free California withdrawal letter
  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

    Keep dated copies for your records

    Save a copy of the withdrawal letter and anything you file, noting the date you sent it. If the district ever asks about attendance, dated proof that you withdrew on time is what closes the question.

  5. 5

    Set up your homeschool

    With the withdrawal handled, the rest is starting your homeschool: planning subjects, setting an hours or days target, and keeping records. Your next stop is the how-to-start guide for California.

    Read the California how-to-start guide

Free California printables

Two ready-to-use PDFs for California homeschoolers. No account needed.

California hour log Printable daily log, prefilled with the state's hour and day target. Withdrawal letter template A fillable letter to withdraw from public school, with California guidance.

Templates, not legal advice. Confirm the current rule with your state or district.

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
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More California guides

Withdrawn? Start your California homeschool

Set up your California dashboard, log your first activity, and watch your hours and records build automatically.

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