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
Unschool LA
Unschool LA is a group of Greater Los Angeles-area parents, children, teens and extended family/friends who identify as unschoolers (or their supporters).
San Francisco Gifted Kids
San Francisco Gifted Kids is an email resource group for parents of gifted children in San Francisco to share tips, events, inspiration, and support, to ask and answer questions, and link to other relevant resources.
All Ways Learning-Discuss
All Ways Learning is an inclusive group of homeschooling families in the Silicon Valley. This is the email discussion group for the group.
Family Homeschool Adventures
Family Homeschool Adventures is an inclusive activity group for Lompoc, Buellton, Solvang, Santa Maria, Santa Barbara and surrounding communities. They are an active group with weekly park days and monthly field trips. We meet every week, weather permitting, at a park in Lompoc.
Learning Circle Cooperative Homeschool Support
The Learning Circle Homeschool Support Group is an inclusive group partially sponsored by Trinity Lutheran ISP. Homeschool families of varying religious or educational philosophies are members. Serves all homeschool families in San Benito County and adjoining counties.
CaliforniaHS-Calendar
CHN's Statewide Calendar of Events gives the latest on activities, field trips, & classes for all California homeschoolers. Sponsored by California Homeschool Network, a non-profit organization for all who are interested in homeschooling in CA. Use the list to learn about field trips, cooperative classes, and homeschooling events taking place in your community and throughout California. Information about homeschool days at museums, and theme parks, etc., is welcome. Support groups are encouraged...
Sierra Homeschool Network
A homeschool support group open to all families in Nevada, Placer and Yuba Counties of California. The group offers support, and activities to families who are homeschooling or just considering homeschooling.
Home4Kids
Home4Kids is an inclusive group of homeschoolers from the West San Gabriel Valley (California) and its surrounding area. Offers park days, field trips, outings, and more.
Northern California Special Needs Homeschooling
This is a place for parents of special needs children living in Northern California to talk about their adventures in homeschooling.
San Francisco Homeschoolers
Inclusive support group for homeschoolers in the San Francisco area. Offers classes, activities, park days, nature hikes, Brownie Girl Scouts troop, Boy Scouts, crafts, and more.
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.
Homeschool Fun for Silicon Valley Teens
This support group, inclusive and non-profit, fosters a rich social life amongst homeschool and small school students by organizing sports leagues, dances, games, Karaoke, bowling, pizza or movie nights. Teens take responsibility to pick the events, decide upon the participants, set rules and select volunteers on this site, even to set up and clean up. Parents of teens then supervise and advise to make this group beneficial to all.
Fresno and Madera Homeschoolers
Fresno and Madera (FAM) Homeschoolers is a group of homeschooling families from Fresno and Madera counties in Central California. Offers support to local homeschoolers, and provides group activities and discussion. The group is open to all homeschoolers, regardless of method or other affiliations.
Homeschooling in Santa Clarita Valley
Email group based in the Santa Clarita Valley, California. Offers support, local information, field trips, park days, and more.
West Orange County Homeschool Group
West Orange County Homeschooling Group is an inclusive, member directed support group of home schooling families, located in Southern California. The majority of members reside in Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Westminster, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Santa Ana and surrounding cities.
Looking for Another State?
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