File an affidavit for a private school if you have chosen to create a private school at home. The affidavit must be filed yearly between Oct. 1 and 15 through the California Department of Education website or by mail using the CDE form. Include information on the school location, statistical information for your students, staff and school records, and tax status on the affidavit. Indicate that you understand statutory notices and sign the affidavit. Create student records that identify the student, indicate her school year, name the subjects she has studied, award grades and show health and immunization records. Compile and print a monthly attendance form for each child. Include subjects in your program that follow California educational guidelines that include English, math, social studies, science, fine arts, health and physical education for students in grades 1 through 6. Students in grade 7 through 12 also should study foreign languages, applied arts, vocational-technical trades and drivers education. The courses are a guideline, and not all classes are mandatory.
Locate a private school satellite program (PSP) certified to operate in California if you decide to use the private school at home option. There may be classes a couple of days each week. There may be oversight over a program that you the parent designs. There may be online classes. Get referrals from other homeschoolers to find a PSP with a good reputation. Call or write the school and inform it that your child will attend another school. Request transfer of any previous school records to your new school.
Locate a public school at home independent study program (ISP) to acquire or borrow school materials and curriculum available for home study. Contact your local school district office or California Department of Education to find and choose an ISP. Get referrals from other homeschoolers in your area. Transfer your child from her regular public school to the public school ISP program.
Call or write the school to withdraw your student and inform it your child will be tutored if you chose the credentialed teacher exemption. This exemption allows a parent with a current California teaching credential or a hired tutor to design and implement a program for the child without oversight.
Keep all homeschooling paperwork organized and filed both for your records and for records of school officials should they request them. Consider joining a homeschool legal group to keep yourself abreast of changes in homeschool laws and to advise you should you have any questions.