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
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...
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.
Hickman Community Charter District
The Hickman Community Charter District offers a K-8 home school program.
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.
Home Smart Families
The HomeSmartFamilies e-group offers information and discussions of homeschooling related issues. Serves the Northern 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.
Alternative Family Education-Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz City Schools Alternative Family Education (AFE) is an independent home study school provided for kindergarten through twelfth grade students and families who prefer an individualized approach to education, combined with the support of school district resources. The program gives parents the responsibility to directly supervise instruction, with professional guidance from a credentialed teacher consultant. The program is designed by and for homeschool families, with teacher consultants...
All Ways Learning-Inland Empire
All Ways Learning-Inland Empire is an inclusive park day/support group open to all families who are currently homeschooling or who are considering this educational option. Weekly park days are held in Redlands, CA. Families currently participating live in Redlands, Highland, Yucaipa and other surrounding San Bernardino & Riverside County cities.
Truckee Tahoe Homeschoolers
Truckee Tahoe Homeschoolers is an inclusive group for homeschoolers and those considering homeschooling in the Truckee-North Lake Tahoe region.
San Francisco Bay Unschooling Network
This is an online support group for homeschooling with an unschooling approach in the San Francisco Bay area.
Homeschooling in Santa Clarita Valley
Email group based in the Santa Clarita Valley, California. Offers support, local information, field trips, park days, and more.
Solano Homeschools
Solano Homeschools is a secular group for Solano County homeschoolers to meet each other, plan educational field trips, exchange information, and chat. Member include those actively homeschooling in the Dixon-Vacaville-Fairfield area.
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.
Homeschooler Connection
Homeschooler Connection is a support group for homeschooler in Humboldt County. Offers support, ideas, friendship, information, 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).
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