Withdrawing from Traditional School in California: A Guide to Homeschool & Charter Options

Withdrawing from Traditional School in California:

A Guide to Homeschool & Charter Options

 

It usually starts with a gut feeling.

Your child used to love learning—but now school mornings feel like battles. They’re overstimulated, anxious, or burnt out. Maybe you’ve sat through IEP meetings that led nowhere, or watched your child shut down in classrooms that just don’t fit how their brain works.

If you’re wondering how to legally start homeschooling after leaving public school, you’re not alone. Many families—especially those with neurodivergent children—are choosing to step away from traditional school environments and into something more flexible, affirming, and child-led.

This guide walks you through withdrawing from traditional school in California, and the two main ways to legally homeschool your child:

✔ Filing a Private School Affidavit (PSA)
✔ Enrolling in a Public Charter Homeschool Program

Two Legal Paths to Homeschool in California

When leaving your assigned public school in California, you have two main legal options:

1. File a Private School Affidavit (PSA)

This means you’ll create your own small private school at home. You choose the curriculum, set the schedule, and take on all teaching responsibilities.

2. Enroll in a Public Charter Homeschool Program

You still homeschool your child, but with access to state-provided funds, teacher support, and sometimes services like speech, OT, or a 1:1 aide.

Choosing the right path depends on how much independence you want, whether your child has special education needs, and whether you’d benefit from outside support or funding.

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📝 Option 1: Filing a Private School Affidavit (PSA)

If you want total freedom in how you homeschool, this is the most autonomous route. A PSA gives you full control—with minimal reporting and zero oversight from school districts or charter schools.

How to File a PSA in California:

1. Withdraw Your Child from Their School
Send a formal letter (see sample below) to your child’s current school principal. Be sure to request all records, including transcripts, attendance, and any IEP or 504 documentation.

2. File the Affidavit Online
Go to the California Department of Education website and submit the PSA form. The official window is October 1–15, but you can file anytime if starting mid-year.

3. Keep These Records (Required by Law):

• A daily attendance log

• A list of subjects taught

• Teacher qualifications (you, the parent, qualify)

• Immunization records or exemption

• Optional: samples of student work

4. Plan Your Homeschool Schedule
Some families dive into curriculum right away. Others need time to decompress—especially if their child experienced trauma or burnout. That’s why many begin with unschooling, a child-led, interest-based approach.
→ Learn more in our article: Unschooling vs. Traditional Schooling: What’s the Difference?

Who Is PSA Best For?

Families who:

• Want zero government oversight

• Prefer full curriculum freedom

• Need to recover from school-based trauma

• Don’t require state-funded services or resources

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🌱 Option 2: Enrolling in a Public Charter Homeschool Program

If you’re interested in homeschooling with support, a public charter homeschool is a great middle ground. Your child learns from home under your guidance, but you’re backed by a credentialed teacher and receive educational funds.

Key Benefits of a Charter Homeschool:

• Up to $4,000/year in funding for curriculum, supplies, and enrichment

• Help choosing curriculum and creating a learning plan

• Monthly support from a credentialed teacher

• Flexibility with structure

• Continued eligibility for IEP or 504 services (see next section!)

How to Enroll:

1. Research and Apply
   Each charter has slightly different guidelines and offerings. Choose one that matches your family’s goals and values.

2. Submit Required Paperwork
   You’ll need proof of residency and immunization (or a personal belief exemption form, if applicable).

3. Withdraw from Traditional School
   Notify your child’s current school (sample letter below), and request that records be forwarded to the charter.

4. Meet with Your Assigned Teacher
   Your Educational Facilitator (EF) or HST (homeschool room teacher) will check in monthly, guide you with curriculum, and help track attendance and student progress.

5. Spend Your Educational Funds
   You can use funds for curriculum, tutoring, art classes, music, PE, and enrichment programs—like those offered at NeuroQuest!

Homeschool Charters Vendored with NeuroQuest:

These are the homeschool charters that NeuroQuest is currently vendored with and can accept payments for classes. While they are 100% homeschool-based, they still offer guided curriculum, a library of digital and physical curriculum and resources, online class options as well as funds to apply toward enrichment classes. You would be assigned a Home School Teacher (HST) who you will meet via Zoom and/or in person every 4-8 weeks to review what your child is learning, and provide required work samples (generally one subject work sample every 4-6 weeks). They often will have waitlists, but we recommend applying and getting on the waitlist as often times you will get off the waitlist and get a spot over the course of the summer or year.

• ✅ Pacific Coast Academy (up to $3,900/year)

• ✅ Excel Academy

• ✅ Suncoast (not accepting students in San Diego county) 

• 🔜 Dimensions (pending approval)

Other homeschool-friendly options:

• Sage Oak

• Compass Charter Schools

• BEST Academy 

🧑‍🏫 Why Charter Homeschooling Works for Busy Parents

One of the biggest advantages of joining a public charter homeschool program is the built-in support—especially helpful for parents who are also working.

Not only do you get access to educational funding, but you also receive:

• Curriculum guidance – Your Educational Facilitator (EF) helps you choose approved curriculum that fits your child’s learning needs and grade level.

• Pre-selected resources – Many charters offer access to online platforms like Seesaw, IXL, BrainPOP, Outschool, or even full online course bundles.

• Live virtual classes – Some charters host optional online group lessons led by credentialed teachers.

• In-person field trips & events – From science museum outings to beach cleanups and art workshops, your child can join group activities that bring learning to life and build community.

For families who want the flexibility of homeschooling but the structure of a school-based support system, this really is the best of both worlds.

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What If My Child Has an IEP or 504 Plan?

Great news: If you enroll in a public charter homeschool, your child retains access to many of the services outlined in their IEP or 504 plan.

This can include:

• Speech and language therapy

• Occupational therapy (OT)

• Counseling or educational psychology

• Specialized academic instruction

• Behavioral support (non-ABA options available)

• 1:1 support aides or specialists

🎯 The key? You must know how to ask for these services and be willing to advocate. Charters have special education departments, but it’s up to parents to request IEP meetings, follow through on evaluations, and push for support.

Want help understanding how to advocate for your child?
→ Read: Supporting Neurodivergent Children in the Classroom (and Beyond)

👩‍💻 How to Homeschool While Working

Yes—it is possible to homeschool and work. Whether you’re working from home or outside the house, many families make it work with creativity and support.

Here are some tips that help working parents homeschool successfully:

• Use a public charter for structure – Your child has an assigned teacher, a curriculum plan, and work samples that help keep them on track—even when you’re not sitting with them 100% of the time.

• Hire a private teacher or tutor a few hours per week – Just 3–6 hours a week can help cover core subjects like math and writing, giving you time to focus on work (or just breathe).

• Enroll in enrichment programs like NeuroQuest – Our center offers part-time options that support academic learning, STEM, art, music, and social skills—all in a sensory-friendly, neuroaffirming environment.

• Use independent work blocks – Build your child’s day around times they can work independently, whether using workbooks, tech tools, or interest-based projects.

• Outsource where it counts – You don’t need to teach every subject yourself. Online classes, recorded lessons, and hybrid programs can fill in the gaps.

💡 Bonus: Charter funding can often cover these supports—including private instruction and NeuroQuest classes.

🧠 Need Extra Support? Bring an Aide to NeuroQuest

If your child needs 1:1 support to access group learning, social settings, or transitions, you don’t have to do it alone—and you don’t have to sit in every class as the parent either.

One helpful option is to have your child’s support aide or yourself attend NeuroQuest classes with them. This can be a huge help for children who are:

• Still working on regulation

• Have separation anxiety

• Need behavioral or communication support

• Require extra scaffolding in group settings

Who Can Fill This Role?

• A Regional Center-funded respite or behavior aide

• A provider through Positive Development or other  developmental support companies

• A privately hired support person, nanny or teacher 

• A trusted family member or friend (with the right qualifications)

At NeuroQuest, we welcome parents, aides, or other support people in the classroom—as long as they’ve completed a background check and understand our neuroaffirming philosophy. This allows your child to participate in enrichment classes while receiving the support they need to feel safe and successful.

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💡 What Is Self-Determination?

If your child is a Regional Center client, you can apply for the Self-Determination Program (SDP)—a funding model that gives families more control over their services.

Instead of only choosing from pre-approved vendors, Self-Determination lets you:

• Hire your own staff (including friends, family, or specialists)

• Choose vendors that match your child’s learning style and support needs

• Pay for programs like NeuroQuest that may not be vendored under traditional models

You’ll work with an Independent Facilitator and a Financial Management Service (FMS) to create a custom person-centered plan and budget that fits your child’s goals.

🔗 Ask your Regional Center service coordinator how to get started with the Self-Determination orientation process.

✨ It’s a powerful tool for creating a support team and learning environment that actually works for your child.

💸 How to Pay for Homeschooling in California

Homeschooling doesn’t have to mean going it alone financially. Whether you’re filing a PSA or enrolling in a public charter, there are several ways to cover the cost of classes, curriculum, and support services—especially if your child has a disability.

1. 🏫 Public Charter School Funds

If you enroll in a public charter homeschool, your child receives state-provided educational funds (often between $2,500–$4,000/year) to use for:

• Curriculum and supplies

• Online classes

• Tutoring or educational therapy

• Enrichment programs like NeuroQuest

✅ NeuroQuest is an approved vendor with several California charters, including Pacific Coast Academy, Excel Academy, and Suncoast.

These funds are available to all enrolled students and do not require a diagnosis or IEP.

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2. 🌈 Regional Center Self-Determination Program (SDP)

If your child is a Regional Center client, you can apply for the Self-Determination Program—a flexible funding option that gives you more control over services and spending.

Under Self-Determination, you can use your budget to fund:

• Aides or 1:1 support for classes

• Private providers and support people (even friends or family, in some cases)

• Classes and programs not typically covered under traditional vendorship

🧠 For example, a child who needs help with social communication could use SDP funds to pay for music, social skills classes, or club-based learning at NeuroQuest.

📌 To get started, ask your service coordinator about the required Self-Determination orientation and request to be added to the waitlist (if applicable in your region).

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3. 🎭 Social Recreation Funding via Regional Center

As of 2022, Regional Center clients can again receive funding for social recreation and non-medical therapies, including:

• Music therapy

• Art classes

• Inclusive physical activities

• Social clubs or neurodivergent-led peer programs

NeuroQuest is currently in the process of becoming an approved Social Recreation provider, which will allow families to use funding for:

• Music and art-based social-emotional classes

• D&D and Pokémon social clubs

• Sensory-friendly movement and game groups

• Neuroaffirming social skills and peer connection programs

✅ If your child qualifies for Regional Center, ask your service coordinator about using social recreation funds for enrichment programs that support regulation, inclusion, and relationship-building.

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📩 Sample Withdrawal Letter

Before you can legally homeschool in California, you’ll need to formally withdraw your child from their current school. This is a simple process, but it’s important to do it in writing so that the school updates your child’s status and doesn’t mark them as truant.

Use the letter below to notify the school of your intent to homeschool, and be sure to request a full copy of your child’s records—including any IEP or 504 documentation if applicable. You do not need to provide the school with a copy of your PSA filing or proof of enrollment in a charter school unless specifically requested (and even then, it’s not legally required).

If your child is receiving special education services, it’s a good idea to CC the school psychologist or special education coordinator to ensure a smooth transition and protect your documentation trail.

Use this template when notifying your child’s school of the withdrawal:

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🌟 Final Thoughts

Withdrawing from traditional school in California doesn’t mean you’re giving up on education. It means you’re creating something better—something that fits. Whether you choose to go fully independent with a PSA or partner with a public charter homeschool, you’re stepping into a new chapter filled with flexibility, healing, and real learning.

At NeuroQuest, we’re here to support you and your child on that journey. We’re here to take some of the weight off your shoulders. 

➡️ Book a call or schedule a tour to explore how we can partner with your homeschool program or help you get started.

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