The Golden State: Overall D+
California spends $27,000 per student with zero programs that let families direct any of it. The private school affidavit system is a bright spot, simplifying both the homeschooling and microschool process at the state level.
Microschools — C+
These are small independent schools usually around 15 students. They often do things differently from what we currently think of as a traditional school. Most are started by teachers from both the public and private schools.
- File a Private School Affidavit annually, an easy form to get started.
- No teacher certification, curriculum approval, or state testing required
- 30,000+ private schools serve fewer than 5 students, double the number from 2018
Improvements
- Permit microschools in all city and county zones across the state.
School Choice Policy — F
ESAs, vouchers, and tax-credit scholarships let funding follow the student. California has none.
- No ESA, no voucher, no tax-credit scholarship
- Charter schools are the only publicly funded alternative
- Six-year moratorium on new nonclassroom-based charters, 2020 to 2026
Improvements
- Pass any kind of education choice legislation, even if it is restricted to special needs or low income students
Homeschooling — B-
California has surprisingly low restrictions when it comes to homeschooling. Most families file a private school affidavit and run a home-based private school with full curriculum autonomy.
- No standardized testing, curriculum approval, or portfolio review required
Improvements
- Pass equal access for homeschoolers in public school sports. California currently bans homeschoolers from participation.
Extra Credit: Truancy Decriminalization
AB 461 repealed the criminal offense against parents of truant students, effective January 1, 2026. Parents faced fines up to $2,000 and a year in jail. California chose support over punishment. Most states still criminalize truancy.
Extra Credit: The Private School Affidavit
The private school affidavit treats a 2,000-student academy and a 3-student microschool identically. That low barrier is why registrations doubled in 5 years.
Helpful Links for Parents
- California Homeschool Network
- Private School Affidavit Filing
- California Charter Schools Association
This is part of a series where we review and rate education access in every state in the country. Get more information here.
Author: Jon England is the Senior Education Policy Analyst at Libertas Institute. He is a fourteen-year veteran of public schools. He taught both fifth and sixth grades, receiving Weber District’s E+ Team Award. He proudly homeschools his children with his wife.
Jon received his bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Utah and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Western Governors University. He spent time in the Marine Corps and separated as a sergeant in 2006.
During his time in public schools, Jon increasingly understood the importance of parental empowerment in education. This increased understanding led him to join Libertas to provide educational freedom for families. Jon enjoys spending time with his wife and five children traveling, skiing, and playing games.
Published: June, 2026