Whether you're just starting to research alternatives or ready to enroll, here's an honest rundown of what's out there.
Under California Education Code §48200, every child ages 6–18 must be enrolled in and attending school full-time. There are two broad ways to meet this requirement:
Any public school in your area, a private campus-based school, or an online public/charter school all satisfy the requirement directly.
Homeschooling isn't a separate legal category in California — it's done by enrolling in a private school of some kind: one you file yourself, or one you join, like a Private School Satellite Program (PSP).
Santa Cruz County has a number of rich, established homeschool options. Here's a quick rundown of the local landscape, written by our director, Shauna Reisewitz:
Note: contrary to a common myth, California doesn't offer direct funding for homeschooling in most counties — public charter/ISP programs offer access to approved curriculum funds instead, not cash.
California requires all children ages 6-18 to receive a formal education. There are several legal paths to meet this requirement:
Establish your own private school (easier than it sounds) and file a Private School Affidavit (PSA) with the CDE each year. No reporting or testing requirements, complete freedom — but no outside support.
Programs like Pacific Sands Academy hold your records and offer mentoring, transcripts, and support — while still giving you freedom in how you educate.
District or charter-run programs providing state-approved curriculum and funds for approved materials. More structure, more support, often full/waitlisted.
Great for day-to-day community and support — but these are not schools on their own. You'll still need to be enrolled in one of the options above to meet attendance law.
Filing your own Private School Affidavit gives you complete independence — but no support. A PSP like Pacific Sands Academy sits in between full DIY homeschooling and a traditional school:
A credentialed teacher works directly with your student — building a plan, checking in regularly, and offering real mentorship, not just paperwork.
PSPs can issue accredited transcripts and diplomas — useful for college applications, work permits, and dual enrollment, without you having to build that infrastructure yourself.
You keep the flexibility to build learning around your student's actual interests — a PSP supports that freedom rather than replacing it with a fixed curriculum.
Attendance records, transcripts, and compliance paperwork are handled for you and passed on to future schools as needed.
Every family's situation is a little different, and it's hard to capture that in a page of text. On a quick call, we can talk through whether Pacific Sands is a good fit for your family, how credits transfer, and dual enrollment options.
