What Is a Private School Satellite Program?

A Private School Satellite Program, commonly called a PSP, is a private school that enrolls families who educate their children primarily at home. The PSP operates as the private school and files its own annual Private School Affidavit. The student is enrolled in the PSP rather than in a private school created and operated solely by the parent.

Parents generally remain responsible for choosing curriculum, providing daily instruction, and directing their child’s education. The PSP handles designated school records and may offer additional services such as transcripts, diplomas, curriculum guidance, parent support, field trips, classes, clubs, and graduation activities.

Services, fees, educational requirements, and levels of support vary substantially. Families should review each PSP’s handbook and enrollment agreement carefully.

California describes the PSA as an annual filing required of California private schools and explains that private-school students receiving qualifying full-time instruction may be exempt from compulsory public-school attendance.

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How Does a PSP Work?

1. Choose a PSP

Compare its philosophy, fees, curriculum rules, records requirements, high-school services, activities, and parent expectations.

2. Enroll Your Child

Your child becomes enrolled in the private school operated by the PSP.

3. Teach at Home

Parents usually select curriculum and provide most or all daily instruction, subject to the PSP’s policies.

4. Submit Required Records

Families may need to provide attendance, course information, grades, work samples, immunization documentation or exemptions, and other records required by the program.

5. Use Optional Services

Depending on the PSP, families may have access to field trips, classes, mentoring, transcripts, clubs, graduation ceremonies, or college-planning support.

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What Do PSPs Usually Handle?

Services a PSP May Provide

Core administrative services

A PSP commonly:

• files its annual Private School Affidavit
• enrolls and withdraws students
• maintains attendance and cumulative records
• serves as custodian of student records
• maintains required school documentation
• provides enrollment verification
• transfers records when a student leaves

Services that vary by program

Some PSPs also provide:

• report cards
• transcripts
• diplomas
• graduation planning
• curriculum consultations
• parent mentoring
• classes and enrichment
• field trips
• clubs
• yearbooks
• school photographs
• student identification cards
• graduation ceremonies
• college or career guidance

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Who Teaches the Student?

In most traditional PSP arrangements, the parent provides the child’s daily instruction. The parent generally chooses or assembles curriculum, teaches lessons, supervises assignments, and monitors progress.

The PSP does not normally function like a public-school independent-study program with an assigned credentialed teacher directing weekly coursework. However, individual PSPs may provide teachers, advisers, classes, curriculum requirements, or progress-review systems.

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Can Parents Choose Their Own Curriculum?

Usually, but not automatically.

Many PSPs allow broad curriculum freedom, while others require particular subjects, approved materials, course plans, grade reports, or periodic work samples. Some PSPs may also follow a particular educational philosophy or religious viewpoint.

Families should ask for the complete curriculum policy before paying enrollment fees.

Because CAHomeschoolHub is secular, add this sentence:

Families seeking secular homeschooling should also verify whether the PSP is secular, religious, or open to families using different educational philosophies.

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PSP vs. PSA chart

Feature	PSP	Parent-Filed PSA
Legal school structure	Child enrolls in an existing private school	Parent operates a private school for their own child or children
Who files the PSA?	PSP operator	Parent or private-school administrator
Parent provides daily instruction	Usually	Yes
Curriculum choice	Usually broad, subject to PSP policies	Broad, subject to California private-school requirements
School records	PSP maintains designated official records; parent may submit information	Parent maintains required records
Administrative help	Usually some level	No outside school administration unless independently purchased
Community activities	May be available	Parent arranges independently
Transcripts and diplomas	Some PSPs provide them	Parent prepares them
Public instructional funds	No	No
Public-school state testing	Not required as public-school enrollment	Not required as public-school enrollment
Fees	Usually enrollment or tuition fees	No state PSA filing fee; families pay their own educational expenses
Policies and oversight	Family must follow PSP rules	Parent controls school policies within applicable law
Best for	Families wanting private-school support without operating their own school	Families wanting maximum administrative and educational independence

CDE confirms that the PSA is an annual private-school filing. It also states that California does not provide general public funding for private-school tuition.

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PSP vs. charter chart

Feature	PSP	Charter Independent Study
School type	Private school	Public charter school
Tuition	Usually fees or tuition	Tuition-free
Parent provides daily support	Usually	Usually, especially in younger grades
Official teacher	Varies; often no assigned public-school teacher	Credentialed charter teacher
Curriculum	Usually parent-selected within PSP rules	Must follow charter policies and public-school requirements
Instructional funds	No public instructional funds	May provide school-controlled educational resources or funding allocations
State standards	Private-school curriculum requirements apply	California public-school standards apply
Public-school state testing	Not required	Applicable statewide testing required, subject to parent-exemption rules
Meetings and work samples	Varies by PSP	Generally required
Religious curriculum	Depends on PSP	Public funds and instruction must remain nonsectarian
Diploma	May be issued by PSP	Public-school diploma if graduation requirements are met
Best for	Families wanting private-school freedom and support	Families wanting tuition-free public education with teacher oversight

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Advantages of a PSP

Less Independent Administration

The PSP manages the private school’s annual affidavit and designated official records.

Curriculum Flexibility

Many PSPs allow families to select curriculum and customize instruction.

Community Opportunities

Some programs offer activities, field trips, classes, clubs, parent groups, and graduation events.

High-School Record Support

Some PSPs prepare transcripts, advise families about graduation requirements, and issue diplomas.

An Established School Name

Families may prefer having records and transcripts issued through an existing private school rather than a parent-created school.

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Things to Consider

Fees

PSPs commonly charge registration, enrollment, tuition, activity, transcript, or graduation fees.

Program Rules

Joining a PSP means following its handbook, deadlines, attendance procedures, and academic policies.

Services Vary Widely

One PSP may offer only recordkeeping, while another may operate classes, clubs, counseling, and extensive high-school support.

No Public Instructional Funding

A PSP does not provide the type of public educational funding or school-purchased resources sometimes associated with public charter independent-study programs. California does not have a general program paying private-school tuition.

Possible Curriculum or Philosophy Restrictions

Some PSPs require approved curriculum, particular courses, religious instruction, statements of faith, meetings, testing, or participation.

High-School Transfer Questions

Families should ask how credits will transfer to public school, another private school, college admissions systems, athletic organizations, and scholarship programs.

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FAQS

What is a Private School Satellite Program (PSP)?

A Private School Satellite Program (PSP) is a private school that enrolls students who are primarily educated at home. Instead of operating your own private school under a separate Private School Affidavit (PSA), your child enrolls in the PSP, which files its own annual affidavit and maintains the school’s official records. Parents usually remain responsible for choosing curriculum and providing daily instruction.

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Is a PSP the same as homeschooling?

Not exactly.

A PSP is one legal way to homeschool in California because instruction occurs primarily at home, but the child is enrolled in a private school rather than a public school or a parent-operated private school.

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Is a PSP the same as a charter school?

No.

A PSP is a private school.

A charter independent-study program is a public school.

Charter schools receive public funding, assign credentialed teachers, and must follow California public-school requirements.

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Do I still teach my child?

Usually yes.

Most PSPs expect parents to provide daily instruction while the PSP handles administrative responsibilities and school records.

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Can I choose my own curriculum?

Usually yes.

Many PSPs allow families to choose curriculum freely, although some require certain subjects, educational philosophies, or approval of materials.

Always read the handbook before enrolling.

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Do PSPs provide curriculum?

Some do.

Many provide recommendations or optional resources.

Others expect families to purchase and select all curriculum independently.

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Do PSPs provide instructional funds?

Generally no.

Unlike public charter independent-study programs, PSPs do not receive public funding to purchase curriculum or educational materials for families.

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Do PSPs charge tuition?

Usually.

Most charge enrollment fees, tuition, or annual administrative fees.

The amount varies widely.

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Do PSPs issue transcripts?

Many do.

Especially for high school students.

Some also provide report cards, diplomas, graduation planning, and work permits.

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Can my child earn a diploma through a PSP?

Some PSPs issue their own private-school diplomas.

Others help families prepare transcripts but may not award diplomas.

Ask about graduation requirements before high school begins.

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Are all PSPs the same?

No.

This is probably the biggest misconception.

Some PSPs simply maintain records.

Others offer:

• field trips
• enrichment classes
• clubs
• graduation ceremonies
• parent mentoring
• curriculum guidance
• college advising
• high-school planning

The level of support varies significantly.

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Are most PSPs Christian?

Many are.

Based on California PSP directories and search results, a large number of PSPs identify as Christian or faith-based organizations. However, California also has secular and nonsectarian PSPs. Families should review each program’s mission, philosophy, and policies before enrolling.

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Can secular families join a Christian PSP?

Sometimes.

Each PSP sets its own admission policies.

Some welcome all families regardless of religious beliefs.

Others require agreement with a statement of faith or participation in a Christian educational philosophy.

Always review the enrollment requirements before applying.

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Who May Benefit From a PSP?

A PSP may work well for families who:

• want to teach at home but do not want to operate their own private school
• value curriculum freedom
• want help with official records
• want transcripts or diploma services
• want access to an established homeschool community
• prefer private education over public charter oversight
• are comfortable paying program fees

Who May Prefer Another Option?

A PSP may not be the best fit for families who:

• want public instructional resources
• want an assigned credentialed teacher
• want a completely free program
• do not want to follow another private school’s rules
• want maximum independence in records and school administration

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Expanded FAQ

Keep your existing FAQs, but revise and add these.

Is a PSP the same as a charter school?

No. A PSP is a private school. A homeschool charter or charter independent-study program is a public school.

Does the parent file a separate PSA?

Generally no. The PSP files the affidavit for the private school it operates, and the child enrolls in that school. Confirm the arrangement directly with the program. California requires private schools to file the affidavit annually.

Is the parent still the teacher?

Usually. Parents generally provide daily instruction, although the exact level of PSP teaching, advising, or course support varies.

Can I choose my own curriculum?

Often yes, but families must follow the PSP’s policies. Some programs require particular subjects, documentation, materials, assessments, or educational philosophies.

Do PSP students take CAASPP?

PSP students are privately enrolled and are not required to participate in public-school CAASPP testing merely because they live in California. A PSP may require its own assessments. By contrast, charter students are public-school students subject to applicable statewide assessment requirements.

Do PSPs provide instructional funds?

Generally no. Families normally pay for curriculum, classes, supplies, tutoring, and activities.

Do PSPs charge tuition?

Most charge some form of fee. Prices and included services vary widely.

Can a child graduate through a PSP?

Some PSPs issue transcripts and diplomas and provide graduation planning. Parents should confirm requirements before high school begins.

Are all PSPs accredited?

No. Accreditation is separate from operating as a private school or filing a PSA. Ask whether the PSP is accredited, by which organization, and whether accreditation is relevant to your child’s goals.

Can my child transfer back to public school?

Yes, but the receiving public school determines placement and how it evaluates private-school coursework or credits. Ask both the PSP and the potential receiving district about transfer policies.

Are PSPs inspected or approved by the CDE?

Filing a PSA does not mean the CDE has evaluated or approved the quality of the school. The CDE describes the affidavit as a required private-school registration document.

What almost ALL PSPs do

These are the core services you’ll find consistently.

Administrative Services

• File and maintain the school’s Private School Affidavit (PSA)
• Keep required student records
• Maintain cumulative files
• Attendance records
• Immunization/exemption records (when applicable)
• Permanent student records
• Student enrollment and withdrawal paperwork
• High school transcripts (many PSPs)
• High school diplomas (many PSPs)

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Parent remains the teacher

This was probably the biggest takeaway.

Almost every PSP clearly states something similar to:

Parents teach.

Parents choose curriculum.

Parents direct the education.

The PSP does not become your child’s teacher.

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Curriculum

Most PSPs allow parents to

• choose curriculum
• change curriculum
• homeschool however they like

Some offer

• curriculum counseling
• curriculum suggestions
• mentor parents

but parents still make the final decision.

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Community

This is where PSPs vary A LOT.

Some provide

• park days
• field trips
• graduation
• yearbook
• school pictures
• dances
• clubs
• enrichment
• parent meetings
• student ID cards

Others provide absolutely none of those.

Some are literally just paperwork.

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High school support

Many PSPs also offer

• transcript reviews
• graduation planning
• diploma issuance
• college guidance
• work permits

Some even have dedicated high school advisors.

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IMPORTANT

Some PSPs are extremely hands-off.

For example:

We simply keep records.

while another advertises

• curriculum counseling
• mentor parents
• academy days
• enrichment classes
• STEAM fairs
• CIF sports
• college advising
• extension classes

Those are completely different experiences.

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PSP vs. PSA

Feature	PSP	PSA
Parent teaches	✅	✅
Private school	✅	✅
Parent files PSA	❌ Usually no	✅ Yes
Administrative support	✅ Usually	❌
Parent community	✅ Often	Depends
Tuition or fees	Usually yes	No filing fee
Curriculum freedom	High	Very high

PSP vs. Charter School

Feature	PSP	Charter Independent School
Public school	❌	✅
Instructional funds	❌	✅ Often available
Assigned teacher	Usually no	✅
State testing	No required public-school state testing; a PSP may require private assessments	Applicable statewide assessments required, subject to California parent-exemption rules
Curriculum	Parent chooses	Must follow charter rules
Tuition	Usually yes	Free

Advantages of a PSP

Things to Consider

Choosing the Right PSP

PSP Comparison

Feature	California Christian Academy (CCA)	Pioneer Family Homeschool (PFHS)
Statewide Enrollment	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Parent Teaches	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Parent Chooses Curriculum	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Files Private School Affidavit	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Maintains Student Records	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Transcripts & Diplomas	Optional services available	✅ High school transcripts & diplomas
Work Permits	High school assistance available	✅ Yes
Curriculum Counseling	Limited; emphasizes family independence	❌ No
Parent Meetings	Not emphasized	❌ No monthly meetings
Field Trips	❌ Not promoted	❌ Not provided
Clubs / Social Activities	❌ Not emphasized	❌ Not provided
Graduation Planning	High school guidance resources	✅ Yes
Religious	Christian	Christian
Accreditation	Non-accredited	Christian PSP (focus on recordkeeping rather than accreditation)
Communication	Primarily email	Administrative contact; quarterly paperwork
Annual Fee	One fee per family	Registration fee per family
Best Fit	Independent families who want minimal oversight	Independent families wanting administrative recordkeeping

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Similarities

Both PSPs clearly state that:

✅ Parents teach their own children.

✅ Parents direct the education.

✅ The PSP files the Private School Affidavit for the private school.

✅ The PSP maintains official student records.

✅ Families homeschool independently.

Neither program functions like a charter school with assigned teachers or public funding.

Biggest Difference

California Christian Academy

CCA spends a lot of time helping families decide whether the PSP is a good fit before enrolling.

Their website includes pages explaining:

• Is CCA right for my family?
• Difference between a PSP and a charter ISP
• What CCA does and does not do
• Annual requirements
• High school assistance

They also emphasize:

We communicate almost entirely by email.

This suggests a very independent, low-touch administrative model.

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Pioneer Family Homeschool

PFHS is even more explicit.

Their website essentially says:

We are a recordkeeping organization.

They state they do not provide:

• curriculum counseling
• monthly meetings
• field trips
• fellowship
• homeschool support groups

Instead, they focus on:

• filing the PSA
• maintaining cumulative records
• quarterly attendance and report cards
• transcripts
• diplomas
• work permits

They even recommend that families already have their own homeschool support network before joining.

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What This Tells Parents

This is probably the most valuable lesson:

Two PSPs can both be legally operating Private School Satellite Programs while offering very different experiences.

One may provide:

• mentoring
• guidance
• high school planning
• curriculum help

Another may provide little more than:

• legal enrollment
• required records
• transcripts
• diplomas

Both are still legitimate PSPs.

Types of PSP – Not all PSP are the same

While researching PSPs over the past week, we’ve now seen three distinct PSP models emerge:

1. Administrative PSP

Very hands-off.

Provides mainly:

• PSA
• records
• transcripts
• diplomas

Examples:

• Pioneer Family Homeschool
• California Christian Academy (largely administrative)

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2. Community PSP

Provides:

• park days
• field trips
• graduation
• enrichment
• clubs
• parent groups
• mentoring

These are much more community-oriented and often charge higher fees.

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3. Hybrid PSP

Provides many of the community features above plus additional educational support, such as:

• classes
• academy days
• enrichment programs
• college advising
• high school planning

These begin to feel like a blend of an administrative umbrella and a homeschool support organization.

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I did NOT use an official statistic

There isn’t one.

I did not find a California Department of Education report or a study that says:

• 68% of PSPs are Christian
• 75% are secular
• 80% are faith-based

As far as I could determine, no official statewide census exists.

So I can’t truthfully present it as a proven statistic.

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What I actually did

I sampled the market the same way a parent would.

1. Google search results

I searched terms like:

• California PSP
• California Private Satellite Program
• California homeschool PSP
• California PSP directory

Many of the prominent results were Christian organizations.

Examples include:

• California Christian Academy
• Legacy Christian School
• Heritage Christian School
• Covenant Christian School
• Christian Home Educators Association (CHEA)

That immediately suggested a strong Christian presence.

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2. PSP directories

I then reviewed statewide PSP directories.

Instead of looking at one or two schools, I scrolled through many listings.

A large portion had names containing:

• Christian
• Bible
• Covenant
• Grace
• Calvary
• Heritage
• Faith
• Trinity

Others explicitly stated:

Statement of Faith

or

Biblical worldview

or

Christ-centered education

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3. Individual websites

Then I opened individual PSP websites.

Many had:

• church affiliations
• statements of faith
• biblical mission statements
• Christian curriculum recommendations
• pastor or ministry oversight

That reinforced the pattern.

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4. Historical organizations

Finally I looked at California homeschool history.

Groups like CHEA have existed since the early 1980s specifically to support Christian homeschoolers.

That helped explain why so many long-established PSPs have Christian roots.

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So what evidence do we actually have?

Think of it like this.

If I sampled 50 restaurants in Los Angeles and noticed:

• 35 were Mexican
• 10 were Italian
• 5 were Japanese

I could reasonably say:

“Mexican restaurants appear to be the most common in my sample.”

But I couldn’t say:

“Exactly 70% of all LA restaurants are Mexican.”

because I didn’t count every restaurant.

The PSP situation is similar.

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What can we honestly say?

Based on a review of California PSP directories, Google search results, and the websites of many individual programs, Christian and faith-based PSPs appear to make up a substantial portion of the California PSP landscape. However, no official statewide statistics currently identify what percentage of PSPs are Christian, secular, or affiliated with another faith.

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Based on the combination of Google search results, CHEA, HSLDA, and official school websites where available, here is the consolidated list I found for Los Angeles County or providers serving Los Angeles County homeschool families.

PSP / Homeschool Provider	City / Area
California Christian Academy	Statewide (serves LA County)
Cedar House Academy PSP	Downey
Coastal Academy	Lomita
Cornerstone Christian School	Santa Clarita
Desert Christian Home Education	Lancaster
Dikaios Christian Educators Association	Los Angeles County
Evergreen Christian School	Los Angeles County
Excellence in Education Academy	Los Angeles County
Faith Christian School PSP	Los Angeles County
Fairhaven Christian Academy	North Hills
HOPE Schools International	Statewide (serves LA County)
Mantellum Matris Academy	Los Angeles County
Peach Blossom School PSP	Los Angeles County
Pioneer Family Homeschool	Statewide (serves LA County)
Shepherd Christian School	Lancaster
Shiloh Academy	Sierra Madre / Monrovia
South Bay Faith Academy	Redondo Beach

Total found: 17 providers

This list was compiled by combining Google search results, the CHEA directory, the HSLDA directory, and official school websites where available. It is not intended to represent every Private School Satellite Program (PSP) in Los Angeles County. Some PSPs may not appear in search results or public directories for various reasons, such as having a limited online presence, no website, or not being listed in the sources we reviewed. We will continue to update this directory as additional verified information becomes available.

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