California Non-Classroom-Based Education Glossary
A simple, family-friendly guide to understanding educational options outside traditional public schools.
Whether you’re just starting your homeschool journey or helping others navigate options, this glossary is here to simplify complex educational lingo.
Click on each term to expand the definition and explore what best fits your family or group.
Schooling Types
These glossary terms refer to educational structures used to legally homeschool or enroll students.
PSA – Private School Affidavit
• What it is: This is the legal mechanism by which you establish your own private school at home by filing a Private School Affidavit (PSA) with the California Department of Education (CDE) .
• Best for: Families wanting full autonomy over curriculum, schedule, teaching methods, and administration.
• Requirements:
◦ File annually (Statutory window: October 1–15; system open roughly August 1–June 30) .
◦ Maintain at home: attendance register, faculty roster with qualifications, course of study, materials list, health/immunization record or exemption .
◦ No mandated state testing or approved curriculum.
◦ Instructors must be “capable of teaching,” though not necessarily credentialed .
• Key notes: PSA filing does not imply accreditation or state approval of content or instruction .
• Example: Think of being your own private school principal—setting your academic calendar, selecting textbooks, and even designating “pajama Fridays.”
PSP – Private School Satellite Program
• What it is: A preexisting private school that holds the PSA and extends its private-school status to multiple homeschooling families. Participating families become “satellite campuses,” and parents are considered the teachers of record .
• Best for: Families seeking administrative support, minimal paperwork, and access to optional community features without joining public schooling.
• Typical features:
◦ PSP handles filing and retains anonymity for families (your info isn’t publicly listed) .
◦ You often submit attendance and course of study to PSP; they may offer grade tracking, transcripts, optional activities like field trips, and newsletters .
◦ No required state testing (unless PSP offers or recommends it) .
◦ Tuition generally modest (e.g., under $400/year) .
• Key notes: PSPs must comply with private school requirements but relieve you from directly filing the PSA .
• Example: It’s like joining a homeschool-friendly private school that handles the paperwork, while you enjoy occasional workshops, newsletters, and optional social events.
Charter School – Non-Classroom-Based (Independent Study, IS)
• What it is: A tuition-free public charter school that enrolls your child and governs instruction through independent study under a credentialed teacher (HST or educational specialist) .
• Best for: Families who want educational funding, structure, and some public-school resources, yet learn primarily at home.
• Key components:
◦ Assigned credentialed teacher or Education Specialist (HST/ES) for oversight.
◦ Submission of attendance logs, coursework, and learning evidence—often monthly.
◦ Access to state funds for approved educational vendors.
◦ Required state testing (CAASPP) in grades 3–8 and 11.
◦ Opportunities for hybrid or enrichment classes in person.
• Example: Like having a coach check in on your homeschool each month and even funding approved science labs or music lessons.
Independent Study (IS)
• What it is: The broader public-school-at-home model, including charter IS; another umbrella term for non-classroom-based public homeschooling .
• Example: If you’ve heard “distance learning” or “public-school at home,” this is typically what’s being referred to.
5. Umbrella School (Rare)
• What it is: A private school that administratively covers home instruction, more common in other states. In California, these operate similarly to PSPs but are less prevalent.
• Example: Think of an umbrella school overseeing your home setup—as though you operate under their protection, while still teaching yourself. (Optional, as they function much like PSPs.)
Learning Formats & Community Structures
These describe group-based or community-driven educational experiences.
Hybrid Program
• What it is: A blend of in-person classes (1–3 days/week), online lessons, and parent-led teaching at home.
• Best for: Families seeking a middle ground—mixing educational flexibility with structured learning.
• Example: Science labs on campus a few days a week, then practicing math at home in your comfy clothes.
Co-op (Cooperative)
• What it is: A parent-led group where families rotate teaching duties, co-plan, and run activities collaboratively.
• No paid teachers—all instruction is provided by participating parents.
• Focus: Academic, enrichment, social, or mixed.
• Best for: Families seeking shared teaching responsibilities and strong community.
• Example: You teach art one week, another parent leads nature hikes the next, and someone else teaches basic coding after that.
Pod (Homeschool Pod / Micro-School Pod)
• What it is: A small group (often 5–10 students) learning together in a home, park, or community location—led by a parent or hired tutor covering multiple subjects collaboratively .
• Best for: Families wanting consistent group learning with a single main instructor, maintaining interest across ages.
• Key notes:
◦ Informal structure, multi-age grouping.
◦ Often parent-led or led by a hired instructor, not paid in a formal school sense (unless operated as a microschool with tuition) .
• Example: A small cluster of children learning history and science around one table, guided by Ms. Lopez, a retired teacher, all mornings.
Micro-School
• What it is: A small private school (typically 5–20 students) with a consistent teacher, set curriculum, multi-age classrooms, often in a cozy, home-like setting.
• Best for: Families wanting a personalized, school-like environment without the scale of traditional schools.
• Key notes:
◦ Must operate as a private school (PSA or PSP).
◦ May not cover every required subject—home supplementation might be needed.
• Example: A converted garage with desks and a whiteboard where a teacher leads twelve kids, ages 7–10, through tailored lessons.
This refers to broader, informal community organizations that connect homeschooling families for support, meetups, resources, and shared learning. These groups may host events, field trips, or provide social networks for parents and children alike.
Enrichment Programs
• General term for standalone supplemental activities (art, cooking, drama, STEM, outdoor learning) taken at home or in community.
• Example: A six-week pottery course at your local studio, just for fun.
Enrichment Center
• What it is: Part-time, drop-off programs offering individual classes—STEM, art, music, nature, drama—led by independent educators.
• Not a legal school—they don’t provide transcripts or diplomas; students remain legally responsible with their primary homeschool path.
• Best for: Families wanting flexible, supplemental learning experiences.
• Example: Fridays are filled with robotics, watercolor art, and outdoor nature sessions—each taught by a different expert.
Community Group / Collective
• What it is: A casual network of families meeting for socializing and support—park days, informal outings, parent meetups; no organized instruction or curriculum.
• Best for: Families who want community and social interaction without educational obligations.
• Example: Families gather every Thursday at the park for potluck and playtime while the kids roam and chat.
Support Services
Tools and services to help families with compliance, curriculum, and planning.
HST / ES – Homeschool Teacher / Education Specialist
• Credentialed teaching professional assigned by a charter school for oversight: planning, progress tracking, funding approval, and monthly check-ins. Parents deliver daily instruction.
• Example: Your monthly check-in homesch ool guidance counselor helps ensure you’re on track and funds are handled properly..
Vendors
• Approved service providers (tutors, music teachers, sports classes) for using charter school funds.
• Example: Booking piano lessons through a charter-approved music school.
Record-Keeping Services
• Platforms or services that help track attendance, produce report cards, maintain portfolios, and generate transcripts. Especially helpful for PSA or PSP high school families.
• Example: An online tool where you log tasks and attendance, and the system auto-generates transcripts.
A person, company, or platform that provides packaged or custom curriculum options. Providers may focus on specific subjects (e.g., math, phonics) or offer full grade-level programs for homeschool use.
Experienced homeschoolers or educators who help families build custom education plans, navigate legal options, or troubleshoot challenges. Some consultants specialize in special education, neurodiversity, or alternative learning styles.
Organizations or PSPs that help homeschool families track attendance, file paperwork, and maintain transcripts. Especially useful for families choosing the PSA route or planning for high school graduation.
Instructional Methods
Terms related to how instruction is delivered in the homeschool environment.
Fully online platforms that provide instruction through videos, assignments, and teacher grading. These may be public (charter-based), private, or supplemental and range from self-paced to live instruction formats.
Homeschooling led entirely by the parent or guardian, without relying on outside teachers. Instruction may be built from scratch or guided by purchased curriculum. This is typical for PSA and PSP families.
A learning style that combines various approaches—online courses, in-person classes, parent teaching, and community programs—to create a custom hybrid experience. Many modern homeschoolers use mixed models to best meet their children’s needs.