In California, there are several ways that parents may educate their children at home: through an existing private school, through a public charter or independent study program, and also by opening their own private home based school and filing the Private School Affidavit (PSA) with the California Department of Education (CDE).
Although parents are not required to report to their school district. Please keep in mind that the school district has responsibility for checking on school-age children not attending school. It is suggested that informing the district that you intend to home school or privately educate your children can prevent confusion. This typically involves providing the district with a copy of the filed affidavit.
In addition, public school districts are required to verify that the private school affidavit filing requirements have been met in order to verify a child’s exemption from compulsory education.
Parents who file the private school affidavit to privately educate or "home school" their children must select and provide all curricular, instructional, and other materials.
Parents should also keep record of the attendance of the pupils in a register, and the record of attendance shall indicate clearly every absence of the pupil from school for a half day or more during each day that school is maintained during the year." In addition all the below shall be keep in a register as stated by California Education Code (EC) Section 33190 requires a copy of the Affidavit be kept at the school.
With a PSA, you get the choice of your own curriculum you are the teacher. There are no restrictions except to file your PSA every year and maintain a record of your attendance and your childs work.
Remember: You do not get funding like you do with charter schools when you have your own PSA. PSA have to be filed for each school year in October. Kindergarten is not required in the state of CA You can homeschool through High School with a PSA.