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
North Valley Academy
North Valley Academy is a group of families of North Valley Church in Antelope, CA.
Hawthorne Center
Hawthorne Center is a non-profit corporation with the mission to provide homeschool teachers in Southern Califonria with opportunities to stimulate their students. With that purpose in mind the Center is in the process of developing innovative programs and projects to supplement and suppport homeschool teachers' efforts to make the homeschooling experience as rewarding as possible. The Center is developing Early College programs and projects. Students who participate in one or more Hawthorne C...
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.
South Orange County Home Schooling Group
South Orange County Home Schooling Group is an inclusive and eclectic multi-age and multi-leveled educational based support group for families in South Orange County. Members include families just checking out homeschooling, new homeschoolers, and those who have homeschooled for years. The group sponsors a weekly park day, member hosted field trips, and member hosted special events/activities (i.e. book clubs, Discovery Days, science fairs, MNOs).
Mind Explorers
Mind Explorers is an eclectic, non-sectarian homeschool support group of Napa Valley. Offers ideas, activities, and homeschooling discussions.
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.
Freedom Valley Home Learners
Freedom Valley Home Learners is an all-inclusive group of homeschooling families in the Temecula Valley area. The purpose of the group is to provide information and support to homeschooling families in the Temecula Valley area. Offers regular parkdays throughout the valley and fieldtrips throughout Southern California. Most of the members of this group reside in Southwest Riverside County (Lake Elsinore, Murrieta, Canyon Lake, Wildomar, Menifee, South Corona, and Temecula and outlying areas).
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.
San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District (SLVUSD) Charter School
This conversion charter school serves homeschool children from across the state. They offer classes, curricula, and a lending library.
Homeschool Shakespeare Company
The School of Choice in San Jose offers an opportunity for homeschooled students to participate in a dramatic production. Provides ongoing information to participants in these dramatic productions.
San Diego County 4-H Homeschool Group
San Diego County 4-H Homeschool Group is a group of homeschoolers who have a interest in 4-H. This list discusses the group's activites, meeting schedules, leader info, current projects, etc.
Homeschoolers of La Mirada
Homeschoolers of La Mirada is an inclusive support group for families in the La Mirada area.
High Desert Homeschoolers (HDH)
High Desert Homeschoolers (HDH) is a support group for families in the Victor Valley / Victorville area of Southern California.
CaliforniaHS
Email support group sponsored by California Homeschool Network (CHN), a non-profit statewide organization.
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...
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Featured Resources
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The Letter Factory Game
Teaches Phonics! The race is on! With two games in one, children play together and learn letter names and sounds with actions and music. Wacky Professor Quigley guides players every step of the way so no reading is required! Games automatically adjus...
The Living Page: Keeping Notebooks with Charlotte Mason
Charlotte Mason believed that children need to be trained to see, to have their eyes opened, in order to find joy in life. This work explains the value of using the method of writing in journals or notebooks, as derived from the expansive work of Cha...
Crash-Proof Your Kids: Make Your Teen a Safer, Smarter Driver
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Pass Your California DMV Test Guaranteed! 50 Real Test Questions! California DMV Handbook
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But What About Socialization? Answering the Perpetual Home Schooling Question: A Review of the Literature
This book by Dr. Susan A. McDowell uses research, statistics, and the experiences of homeschooling families to answer questions and counter myths about homeschooling and socialization. Read through a discussion of the multiple meanings of socia...