California Private School Affidavit (PSA) Guide
A Private School Affidavit (PSA) is one of California’s legal homeschooling options. This guide explains who should file, how the process works, annual filing deadlines, required records, and the responsibilities of operating your own private school at home.
AT A GLANCE
Who should file a PSA?
Parent operating their own California private homeschool.
Who should NOT file one?
Students enrolled in a public charter, district independent study, or a PSP that handles the private-school filing.
When do I file?
Generally during the annual filing period, or when a new private school is established later in the year.
Does CDE approve my homeschool?
No.
Do I need a teaching credential?
No state credential requirement for the parent teaching only their own child in this private-school arrangement.
Do I need to keep records?
Yes.
What Is a Private School Affidavit (PSA)?
A California Private School Affidavit (PSA) is one of the legal ways to homeschool your child. By filing a PSA, you establish and operate your own private school in your home. As the administrator of your private school, you are responsible for providing instruction, selecting curriculum, maintaining required records, and complying with California laws that apply to private schools. The California Department of Education accepts the affidavit but does not accredit, approve, or supervise your home-based private school.
Who Should Consider Filing a PSA?
A PSA may be a good fit if you:
- Want complete curriculum freedom
- Want to teach your children yourself
- Don’t need public-school funding
- Prefer not to work with a charter teacher
- Are comfortable maintaining school records
A PSA may not be the best choice if you:
- Want curriculum reimbursement
- Want educational funds
- Prefer teacher support
- Want charter classes
- Want someone else handling transcripts
This answers the biggest decision parents have.
Is a PSA Right for Your Family?
Maximum Flexibility
Choose your own curriculum, schedule, teaching methods, and learning pace without following a public-school program.
Parent-Led Education
Parents take primary responsibility for planning instruction, maintaining records, and operating the home-based private school.
No Public Funding
Families filing a PSA purchase their own curriculum, books, technology, and educational supplies because they do not receive public instructional funds.
PSA vs. Other California Homeschool Options
| Feature | PSA | PSP | Homeschool Charter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public school | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Educational funds | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ Usually |
| Credentialed teacher | ❌ | Usually no | ✅ |
| State testing | Usually no | Depends | ✅ |
| Curriculum freedom | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Parent teaches | ✅ | ✅ | Usually with teacher oversight |
👉 Compare every homeschool option in our California Homeschool Guide
PSA Pros and Cons
Advantages
✅ Maximum curriculum freedom
✅ Flexible daily schedule
✅ Learn anywhere
✅ Teach at your child’s pace
✅ No public-school testing requirements
✅ No assigned teacher
✅ No approval of curriculum
Considerations
⚠ Parents purchase their own curriculum
⚠ No instructional funds
⚠ Parents maintain required records
⚠ Parents manage transcripts and documentation
⚠ Parents operate the private school
When Do You File a PSA?
Existing California private schools generally file their Private School Affidavit each year between October 1 and October 15.
If you establish a new home-based private school after the school year has already begun, you generally file when your school begins operating rather than waiting until the next October filing period.
Notice Box:
Don’t withdraw your child until you’ve chosen the homeschool option that’s right for your family and understand the applicable enrollment or filing requirements.
How to File a California PSA
- Decide whether a PSA is the best homeschool option.
- Choose a name for your home-based private school.
- Gather your school information.
- Visit the California Department of Education PSA filing website.
- Complete the online affidavit.
- Print and save your confirmation.
- Begin maintaining your required records.
- Start your homeschool program.
Information You’ll Need
School Information
- School name
- Physical address
- Mailing address
- Phone number
- Administrator name
School Details
- Grade levels
- Student enrollment
- Number of teachers
- Teacher qualifications
- Religious affiliation (if any)
- Certification statements
Required Records
Attendance records Courses of study Faculty information Student information Immunization records or applicable documentation Emergency contact information Other records required under California law
Common Mistakes
Filing Too Early
Understand the annual filing window and when a mid-year filing may be appropriate.
Losing Your Confirmation
Save a digital and printed copy.
Forgetting Records
Keep attendance and other required records throughout the school year.
Expecting Public Funding
PSA families do not receive instructional funds.
Important: please wait until October even though you began homeschooling mid-year.
Free California Homeschool Forms
Download free printable and editable homeschool forms to help organize withdrawal, attendance, daily lessons, reading, and curriculum planning. Choose the fillable PDF for typing and printing, or download the editable Word or Excel version when available.
California School Withdrawal Letter
Use this letter to formally notify a school that you are withdrawing your child and to request copies of important educational records.
Homeschool Attendance Log
Track attendance, instructional hours, subjects, and notes throughout the school year.
Daily Homeschool Planner
Plan daily goals, subjects, reading, activities, assignments, parent notes, and student reflections.
Homeschool Reading Log
Record books, authors, pages, minutes read, and parent initials.
Curriculum Planner
Organize curriculum, goals, resources, and progress for core subjects and electives.
Complete Homeschool Kit
Frequently Asked Questions
Is filing a PSA free?
Yes. California does not charge a fee to file a Private School Affidavit.
Do I file every year?
Yes. Existing private schools file annually.
Do I have to use a specific curriculum?
No. California does not approve or require a specific homeschool curriculum for a PSA.
Can I homeschool more than one child?
Yes. A single home-based private school may enroll multiple children from your family.
Do I need to be a certified teacher?
No. California does not require parents operating a home-based private school under a PSA to hold a teaching credential.
Can my child return to public school?
Yes. Contact the receiving school to determine enrollment and grade placement requirements.
Can PSA students play sports?
Participation depends on the policies and legal requirements that apply to the school or organization offering the program.
Can homeschool students attend college?
Yes. Homeschooled students can apply to community colleges, CSU, UC, and private colleges. Admission requirements vary by institution.
PSA Facts
- Filing a PSA does not mean the California Department of Education approves your school.
- The CDE accepts the filing but does not accredit or supervise your home-based private school.
- Parents are responsible for complying with applicable California private school laws.
PSA Quick Facts
Annual Filing Window
- Existing California private schools generally file their Private School Affidavit between October 1 and October 15 each year.
- New private schools that begin operating after the school year starts generally file when the school opens rather than waiting until October.
Filing Cost
- $0
- California does not charge a fee to file a Private School Affidavit.
Teacher Credential Required?
- No
- California does not require parents operating a home-based private school under a PSA to hold a California teaching credential.
State Approval
- Filing a PSA does not mean the California Department of Education approves or accredits your school.
- The CDE accepts the affidavit but does not supervise home-based private schools.
Public Funding
- PSA families do not receive instructional funds from California public schools.
Common Misconceptions
❌ “A PSA is permission from the state to homeschool.”
Reality: Filing a PSA establishes your own private school. The CDE records the filing but does not approve or accredit your school.
❌ “I have to be a certified teacher.”
Reality: California does not require a teaching credential for parents operating a PSA.
❌ “The state gives PSA families money.”
Reality: PSA families purchase their own curriculum and educational materials.
❌ “I only file once.”
Reality: Existing private schools generally file a new affidavit every year.
Interesting Findings
These are observations rather than official statistics.
- California recognizes multiple legal ways to homeschool, and the PSA is only one of them.
- A PSA offers some of the greatest curriculum flexibility because parents operate their own private school.
- Unlike charter homeschool programs, PSA families generally do not receive public funding or work with an assigned public-school teacher.
- The California Department of Education does not publish separate statistics showing how many filings are traditional private schools versus home-based private schools. As a result, the total number of homeschool PSAs filed each year is not publicly reported.
Related Guides
TK Eligibility Calculator
Check whether your child meets California Transitional Kindergarten age requirements.
School Age Calculator
Determine whether your child meets California Kindergarten age requirements.
Education Tools
Browse all of our calculators, guides, and parent resources.
California Charter School Guide
Browse all of our calculators, guides, and parent resources.
Explore More Education Tools
Discover more free calculators and interactive guides designed to help California parents understand school eligibility, enrollment, and educational planning.