How to Navigate Charter School Homeschooling in California

Choosing a charter school program for homeschooling in California can unlock valuable resources, financial support, and a collaborative approach to educating your child at home. While you retain the flexibility of teaching in a home environment, charter schools can provide guidance from a credentialed teacher, optional classes, special education services, and even an annual student budget for curriculum and enrichment. In this article, we’ll explore how to get started with charter school homeschooling, what to expect in terms of requirements and paperwork, and how to make the most of the program’s benefits.

This article is one of five from our California Homeschooling Series:

Introduction: Why Consider Charter School Homeschooling?

Charter school homeschooling—sometimes called “public ISP (Independent Study Program)”—blends the best of home-based education with public school resources. When you enroll in a charter homeschool:

Your child remains a public school student with official transcripts and diplomas handled by the charter.
You receive a credentialed teacher (often called an Education Specialist, or ES) to guide you, helping to ensure your child’s progress.
You may be allotted state-funded “instructional funds” to purchase curriculum, materials, or even extracurricular classes from approved vendors.
You still retain day-to-day control over your child’s schedule, pacing, and learning environment.

For families wanting support, accountability, and financial help in obtaining materials, a charter program can be a game-changer. Let’s look at how to find and navigate one that fits your child’s needs.

1. Research and Compare Charter Homeschool Programs

California has several charter schools dedicated to independent study at home. Each program has its own enrollment boundaries, budget policies, and administrative style. Before committing, compare factors such as:

Geographic Reach: Charter schools typically serve the county where they’re authorized (and adjacent counties). Verify that you live in the coverage area.
Funding Allocation: Each charter sets a yearly student budget for curriculum and activities—commonly between $1,000–$3,000. Note what items are covered (e.g., music lessons, art supplies) and which are not (e.g., religious curriculum, pure entertainment).
Meeting & Reporting Requirements: Expect monthly or bimonthly check-ins with your assigned teacher, including turning in student work samples. Some charters may require more frequent touchpoints.
Curriculum Approach: Many charters have “approved” or recommended curriculum lists. Some are more flexible than others—ask how they handle requests for alternative materials or advanced courses.
Community & Extras: Look for programs offering field trips, homeschool co-ops, or special-interest clubs. These can enrich your child’s social life and academic exploration.

Where to start your search:

The California Department of Education’s Charter School Directory can help locate charter schools.
Local homeschool groups (e.g., on Facebook) often post charter reviews or host Q&A discussions with enrolled families.

2. Apply and Enroll

Each charter has its own application process. Some hold open enrollment periods, while others accept students year-round if space is available. Typical steps include:

Application or Intent to Enroll: An online or paper form collecting basic student info and address verification.
Review Process: If the charter has more applicants than seats, a lottery may determine acceptance.
Finalize Enrollment: Once accepted, complete any necessary forms—proof of residence, birth certificate, immunization records (home-based charter students are generally exempt from vaccine mandates for classroom settings, but the school may still request records).

Important: If your child is currently in a different public or private school, make sure to withdraw officially once your charter enrollment is confirmed. This helps avoid any mix-ups about truancy or active enrollment in two schools at once.

Learn more about independent study requirements on the CA Dept of Education site.

3. Meet Your Assigned Teacher (Education Specialist)

After enrollment, your charter will pair you with a credentialed teacher, sometimes called an Education Specialist (ES) or Homeschool Teacher Facilitator. This person is your main point of contact. During the initial meeting (virtual or in-person):

Discuss Your Child’s Needs: Share your child’s grade level, learning style, and any special goals or challenges.
Plan Curriculum: The ES will provide a list of approved curriculum options, including textbooks, online programs, and vendor classes. You can request specific programs if allowed.
Sign the Master Agreement: A legal document outlining subjects to be taught, meeting frequency, and parent/teacher responsibilities.
Ask About Diagnostic or Placement Tests: Some charters do beginning-of-year assessments (like i-Ready or MAP) to gauge your child’s level and tailor instruction.

Pro tip: If you already have curriculum in mind, ask whether it’s on the “approved vendor” list. If not, the ES may help you find a comparable option or guide you through a petition process. Each charter differs in how flexible they are about new vendor approvals.

4. Accessing Instructional Funds and Materials

One of the major benefits of charter school homeschooling is the financial support for educational materials. Typically:

You’ll have a student budget (e.g., $2,500–$3,000/year) allocated for your child’s curriculum, classes, and supplies.
The charter pays vendors directly when you order through its purchasing system, or you pay and then apply for reimbursement (with pre-approval).
Funds cannot be used for religious or sectarian materials, purely recreational memberships, or anything outside strict educational guidelines.
Computers, textbooks, and other “non-consumables” are on loan from the charter. You’ll return them if you leave the program or at the end of the year.

Popular ways families use these funds:

Core curriculum (math, language arts, science, history)
Foreign language subscriptions or music lessons
Extracurricular classes (art, dance, coding) with an approved vendor
Educational field trips, e.g., museum admission or specialized workshops

Be sure to keep receipts, stay within your budget, and follow your charter’s policies on what you can (and can’t) purchase.

5. Day-to-Day Schooling at Home

Beyond paperwork and funds, your homeschool day remains flexible. You’ll schedule and teach as you see fit, with the following charter-specific considerations:

Work Samples: Each “learning period” (often monthly), you’ll submit a sample or two per subject—like math worksheets, writing assignments, or photos of a science project. These demonstrate your child’s progress to the ES and fulfill state requirements for independent study.
Attendance Logs: Some charters have you sign an attendance form verifying your child had at least four hours of instruction on each “school day.” Instruction can be formal lessons, educational videos, reading, hands-on projects—charter guidelines vary, but they require a certain number of instructional minutes overall.
Regular Check-Ins: You’ll meet or speak with your ES to review samples and plan next steps. If your child is struggling with a concept, the ES might recommend a tutor (paid from your funds) or suggest a different approach. This accountability can keep both child and parent on track.
State Testing: Charter students must participate in annual state tests (CAASPP) for applicable grades. You’ll be informed when and where to complete these. While some homeschoolers dislike standardized tests, they do give an objective measure of your child’s progress and are a legal requirement for public school enrollment.

Tip: Keep a simple portfolio of each subject’s best work. It helps with monthly submissions and serves as a personal record of your child’s growth.

6. Special Education and Accommodations

If your child has special needs or an existing IEP (Individualized Education Program), charter schools are required to provide appropriate services:

Evaluation & IEP: If your child needs evaluation, the charter will coordinate assessments. If they qualify for special education, the charter must offer the necessary services (speech therapy, occupational therapy, counseling, etc.).
504 Plans: For students who require classroom or testing accommodations but do not need special education, a 504 plan might be created.
At-Home Services: Many charter homeschool programs work with third-party service providers who can come to your home or meet at a resource center.

This support structure can be significantly more robust than what’s available to families who homeschool independently under a Private School Affidavit, where special education help is minimal.

For details, see CA Dept of Education guidance on special education in charters.

7. Leverage Charter School Community and Events

Charter homeschools frequently organize social and educational events that enrich your child’s experience. Examples include:

Group Field Trips: Museum outings, farm tours, or historical site visits coordinated by the charter (often at a discounted or no cost to you).
Onsite or Virtual Classes: Some charters offer optional in-person labs, performing arts classes, or workshops at a learning center. Others have robust virtual clubs—like coding clubs, literature circles, or art sessions.
Co-ops and Peer Groups: You might find smaller learning pods or co-ops among families enrolled in the same charter. This can create a friendly network for parents, too.
High School Activities: Many charters host prom, yearbook committees, or graduation ceremonies. This can ensure your teen doesn’t miss out on classic “school” milestones.

Staying active in these events can expand your child’s social circle and enrich their learning beyond the home environment.

8. Year-End Wrap-Up and Re-Enrollment

Toward the end of each year, you’ll have a final meeting to review your child’s achievements. The ES may:

Collect final work samples and attendance logs.
Discuss whether you plan to stay with the charter next year. (Re-enrollment is typically a short form or online process.)
Confirm which borrowed items (textbooks, computers) need returning.

If you decide to switch to independent homeschooling or to another charter, be sure to notify the school so they can close out your student’s records and avoid confusion about your enrollment status.