MADE FOR CALIFORNIA FAMILIES
California homeschool curriculum, built for your kids
Tell Kuraplan your children's ages. It plans the year around what California expects, references the CA Standards where you want it, and writes the lessons and printables for each child.
California homeschool curriculum: what to teach, what is free, and what the state pays for
Most California homeschoolers file the Private School Affidavit and operate a home-based private school, which must offer the branches of study taught in public schools, in English, by 'capable' teachers. No curriculum, testing or reporting is required. Alternatives are a private school satellite program (PSP), a credentialed tutor, or a public charter independent-study program.
For the legal side (notice, records, assessment) see the California homeschool requirements guide. This page is about the curriculum itself.
Subjects California expects
PSA homeschoolers have no testing. Charter students take the CAASPP state tests annually (opt-outs are possible), and charters expect work samples each learning period, which favours curriculum with visible output.
California Common Core and Content Standards- The branches of study required in public schools (English, mathematics, social sciences, science, visual and performing arts, health, physical education, and for high school foreign language and applied arts)
A year that satisfies the state
A sample California homeschool plan (elementary)
One way to cover what the state expects with programs families finish. Swap any program for one that fits your child; keep the coverage.
Phonics, literature, writing and grammar; required as a branch of study.
Any mastery program (charter funds cover secular programs like Math Mammoth, Singapore, Beast Academy).
History with maps and California history in grade 4; science with experiments; charter funds cover classes and kits.
Weekly art and music, a health unit, daily activity; charter funds often cover music lessons and sports.
PSA: attendance register and course list. Charter: samples per learning period and the annual CAASPP.
“Free homeschool programs” in California
Most results for free programs are public online schools. They are free and teacher-led, but your child is a public school student with state testing, not a homeschooler. Worth knowing before you enroll.
Public charter homeschool programs (independent study charters)
California's distinctive option: charters like Sky Mountain, Ocean Grove, Inspire and Compass provide $2,500–$3,500+ per student in instructional funds for vendors and curriculum, with a credentialed teacher meeting monthly. Legally public school; state testing applies; secular materials only with the funds.
California Virtual Academies (K12) and California Connections Academy
Public online schools with daily teacher-led instruction; public enrollment.
Money for curriculum in California
No ESA or tax credit. The charter independent-study programs are the funding route: several thousand dollars per student per year in instructional funds for approved secular vendors, in exchange for public-school status and testing.
What California families know
- The PSA-versus-charter decision defines California homeschooling: independence and religious curriculum with the affidavit, or funding and support with a charter.
- HSC (HomeSchool Association of California) and CHEA of California run conferences for secular and Christian families respectively.
- PSPs (private school satellite programs) file the affidavit for you and offer classes, record-keeping and transcripts for a fee.
- California history is grade 4 in public schools, with missions, the Gold Rush and the state's parks as a field-trip curriculum.
Plan it with Kuraplan
Curriculum that fits California and your kids
You keep the programs you love. Kuraplan fills the gaps, references the CA Standards when you ask, and keeps the records California expects without a filing cabinet.
CA Standards-referenced lessons
Ask for a lesson on any topic and it lands at the right grade, with the CA Standards reference noted for your records.
Every required subject, one plan
A yearly plan that maps the subjects your state expects to real weekly blocks, sized for each child.
Records that write themselves
Completed worksheets and lessons stay together, so an evaluation, portfolio or progress report is a summary, not a scramble.
One lesson. All your kids.
$49/yr flat, no per-child fees
Write one family lesson, then adjust the reading level, the practice and the response format for each child without rebuilding the day.
California homeschool curriculum FAQ
What curriculum is required to homeschool in California?
A home-based private school under the affidavit must offer the branches of study taught in public schools (English, math, social sciences, science, arts, health, PE), in English. No specific curriculum, testing or reporting is required.
How do California charter homeschool programs work?
You enroll in a public charter's independent-study program; a credentialed teacher meets you monthly, you receive instructional funds (often $2,500–$3,500+ per student) for approved secular vendors and curriculum, and your child takes state tests. Legally the child is a public school student.
Can I use charter funds for Christian curriculum in California?
No. Charter instructional funds must be spent on secular materials and vendors. Families who want religious curriculum buy it themselves or use the affidavit route.
Do California homeschoolers have to test?
Not under the Private School Affidavit. Charter students take the annual CAASPP, though parents can opt out.
What are the best homeschool programs in California?
Charter families favour secular programs like Math Mammoth, Beast Academy, BookShark, Build Your Library and Oak Meadow. Affidavit families use everything from Sonlight and The Good and the Beautiful to fully secular stacks. HSC and CHEA conferences are the places to compare.
Program details, funding amounts and eligibility change. Verify with the California agency and program sites before relying on them. Reviewed 2026-09-07.
Your California homeschool year, in one place
Plan lessons, make printables and keep each child's finished work together for the records your state expects.
Plan with Kuraplan