Support Groups
Homeschoolers have created networks of support to provide a way to make friends, get ideas and information, and to offer positive socialization opportunties to their children. You can join in! There are many groups to choose from, many with specific affiliations, like Christian groups or unschoolers' groups. Some are eclectic, inclusive, and open to anyone. Whatever your interest, you are sure to find other like-minded parents. And if you don't find what you are looking for, we've put together tips for starting your own group.
Local & State Groups
Support groups offer a way for those interested in homeschooling or new to home education to get information and support. They also offer opportunities for social activities, group learning, and networking. Find a support group near you in California.
National Groups
Tap into the national homeschool movement by connecting with these national homeschool groups and support organizations.
Social Media
Connect with other homeschooling using social networking tools. You can share tips and ideas, get support, collaborate on lesson plans, upload photos, and much more.
Co-Ops
A co-op offers a way to share teaching duties with others who are excited and knowledgeable about a subject. It also offers an opportunity for your children to learn in a group and to make friends. Browse through this list of co-ops in California.
Umbrella/Cover Schools
An umbrella or cover school provides an alternative way for parents to fulfill governmental educational guidelines and requirements. Most offer a variety of services, which can include curricula, social activities, field trips, standardized testing, portfolio reviews, evaluations, and graduation materials, including diplomas. While umbrella schools do tend to the needs of homeschoolers, they are considered a type of private school in most states.
Resource Centers
Homeschool resource centers offer classes, materials, field trips, and other activities for parents and children alike. They are great ways to get new information, engage in group activities, and network with other homeschoolers.
Public School Programs
Public schools are increasing offering programs to appeal to homeschooling families, from classes to educational materials to computer and distance learning. In most cases, students enrolled in these programs are considered public school students rather than homeschoolers. Learn more about these programs and decide if these are right for your family.
Group Management
Learn how to start and manage a homeschool support group, including how to stay organized, how to handle conflict, and ideas for your support group.
What's Popular
Bay Area Home Learners (BAHL)
This list is for the families with homeschooled school-aged kids of all ages and who attend the Bay Area Homelearners high schoolers park day/support group activities in Santa Clara County, California. This is a Sunnvyale-based group.
Washington State Homeschool Testing
Discuss testing with other members and with a 25-year homeschool veteran mom who has become a certificated Washington state teacher & administrator, and registered counselor.
California Homeschool Network (CHN)
California Homeschool Network is a statewide grassroots organization dedicated to protecting the fundamental right of parents to educate their children.
Desert Home Educators Association (DHEA)
Desert Home Educators Association (DHEA) is a homeschooling support group at Edwards Air Force Base. The Desert Home Educators Association (DHEA) began when two military families (USMC and USAF), new to Edwards Air Force Base, discovered there was a need for an official home educator’s group aboard the base. Although there were groups in the surrounding areas, there were none dedicated exclusively to military members, DOD affiliates, and their families. With the assistance of Edwards AFB Servic...
Foothills Unschooling Network
Foothills Unschooling Network is a support group for families in Placer County, CA, and neighboring counties.
Riverside Catholic Homelearners (RCH)
Support group for Catholic homeschoolers in the Riverside, California, area.
Tri-Valley Explorers Homeschooling Group (TVE)
Tri-Valley Explorers is an all-inclusive homeschooling support group in the Tri-Valley Area of Northern California, welcoming homeschoolers from Livermore to Concord and beyond.
So Cal Homeschool Teen Connection
This is the Southern California Homeschool Teen Connection Announcement board. This group is strictly for promoting Teen Only activities around southern California and connecting teen homeschoolers to groups in their locality.
OC Homeschool Events
This is an announcements only (low volume) for events and activities that may be of interest to homeschooling families in and around the Orange County, California area.
Home Learner-Whittier Home Schooling
Home Learner is a homeschool group offering information most pertinent to Whittier homeschooling with some Los Angeles and Orange County information, occasional articles, unit studies and topical links. Homeschoolers in the group come from Whittier, La Habra, Brea, La Mirada, Hacienda Heights, Fullerton, and occasionally farther.
South Bay Free Scholars
The South Bay Free Scholars homeschooling group meets weekly in the San Jose, CA area. This email list facilitates discussions for the group.
Welcome Homeschoolers
Welcome Homeschoolers is a support group for homeschooling families from Redwood City to San Francisco. Their purpose is to offer support, information and encouragement to homeschoolers and those interested in homeschooling.
Homeschooling in Orange County
Provides information and support to home educating families in Orange County.
South Orange County Homeschool Info List (SOCHS-INFO)
This list is for families interested in obtaining more information about South Orange County Homeschooling Support Group (SOCHS). This home school group serves communities that are south of Los Angeles and north of San Diego located in Southern California. The majority of our members are from San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Foothill Ranch, Irvine, Huntington Beach Newport Beach.
San Diego Jewish Homeschoolers
The San Diego Jewish Homeschoolers Group in sunny California provides a strong growing network of homeschooling support and resources for Jewish homeschoolers in or around the San Diego area. They welcome all levels of Jewish observance and all levels of teaching philosophy (structured, relaxed, classical, etc.).
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