School Options
The first step in your homeschooling journey is to decide what type of school you want to participate in. This sounds counterintuitive (I want to homeschool, duh?), but stick with us. The Chico area offers a variety of ways to homeschool your child. We've highlighted the different options here and linked them to places to learn more.
3 Ways To Homeschool
Here are 3 ways to homeschool in California.
Public Charter School
You can enroll in a public charter school specializing in homeschooling.
Private School Affidavit (PSA)
You can set up your own private school registered through the State of California.
Private School Satellite Program (PSP)
You can enroll in a private school that has completed the Private School Affidavit.
Public Homeschool Charters
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Most popular way to homeschool in the North Valley
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Provide funding for curriculums and activities
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Offer the support of a credentialed teacher to guide you through the process of teaching your kids
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Like all public schools, they follow California State Standards, do yearly testing, and are secular.
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Require periodic meetings with the teacher and work samples.
Enrolling in a charter school is similar to enrolling in a conventional public school. Each school will have its own process. Once you find the school you like, follow the instructions for enrollment on their website. Links to the schools are listed below.
It is worth noting that many of these charters have waitlists. If you think this might be the right option for you, then applying early is a good idea.
Private School Options
There are three ways to homeschool via a private school. The PSA option is the most commonly used private option in Butte County.
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PSA: You can set up your own private school by filing a Private School Affidavit (PSA) with the state.
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By filing a Private School Affidavit (PSA) with the state, you open your own private school and enroll your kids.
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This path will provide the maximum amount of freedom but no funding and no academic support.
2. PSP: You can go through an established private school that serves homeschoolers through a Private School Satellite Program (PSP).
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This is a hybrid option between charter and PSA.
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In this option, you enroll your children in a private school established by someone else.
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This option usually requires an enrollment fee.
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May provide some academic support but no funding.
3. Private Tutor Option: In this option children are taught by a credentialed teacher for at least 3 hours a day between 8 am - 4 pm for at least 175 days a year covering all core subjects.
Scroll Down To Learn More About Each Option
Winner of the prestigious 2024 California Charter School of the Year award, CORE Butte Charter School is a personalized learning K-12 program that offers a campus, optional on-site classes, and a college-model high school. It is a great option for people who want funding, lots of support, and enjoy the benefits of having a local campus. They also offer clubs, sports, social activities, and a variety of support options. CORE is WASC accredited.
Lakeview Charter School is a charter school overseen by Sequoia Grove. Many of their teachers are local homeschooling parents who are also credentialed teachers. They are a great option for parents looking to maximize flexibility in the context of a public school and have access to funding. Lakeview is WASC accredited.
South Sutter is a charter school run by IEM with an active Butte County team of teachers. Many of their teachers are homeschoolers themselves. They offer flexibility while meeting state standards and offer funding. A long standing charter, South Sutter is experienced at adapting to an ever-changing charter school climate. South Sutter is WASC accredited.
More Charter Options
There are several other charter schools in our area that serve homeschoolers. These schools offer classes, curriculum, and teachers but not all offer funding for activities.
William Finch Charter School (Orland - similar to CORE)
(Oroville)
(Chico)
(Paradise)
(Same parent program as Lakeview)
(New charter to the area - part of Springs Charter Schools)
It is possible to establish your own private school in California by registering with the state using a Private School Affidavit (PSA). This option will give you the most academic freedom since it is a private not a public school. However, this also means parents will not receive any funding or academic support. Parents are responsible for record keeping and transcripts.
A Private School Satellite Program (PSP) is a cross between a charter and a PSA. They are for people that like the independence of a PSA but want additional support. They serve like an umbrella offering protection, support, and independence.