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
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...
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).
Central Sierra Homeschoolers
Central Sierra Homeschoolers is an informational and support group for home schooling families in the south end of the Mother Lode region in California (centering around Mariposa and Oakhurst) and in the surrounding areas.
Homeschooling in Santa Clarita Valley
Email group based in the Santa Clarita Valley, California. Offers support, local information, field trips, park days, and more.
San Francisco Bay Unschooling Network
This is an online support group for homeschooling with an unschooling approach in the San Francisco Bay area.
Antelope Valley RoseRock Homeschool Group
Antelope Valley RoseRock Homeschool Group serves all residents of the Antelope Valley and surrounding communities who are interested in an inclusive homeschool support group. Offers park days, field trips, craft days, various classes, book swaps, pot lucks, and many other activities.
Liberty Christian Academy-Ventura County
Liberty Christian Academy is a non-profit, non-accredited, conservative, Bible-based, private school utilizing the Independent Study Program option, as per the California Eductional Code.
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.
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.
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.
Sycamore Tree Center for Home Education
The Sycamore Tree, Inc. was incorporated in California in 1982, and provides homeschool educational services to students in grades K-12. This is a text-based homeschool computer program. They also provide testing services.
California Homeschoolers of Color
This is the email list for California Homeschoolers of Color. This list is open to all CA families of color who are currently homeschooling or considering this option.
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.
Colorado River Homeschoolers
Colorado River Homeschoolers an inclusive homeschool group, open to all homeschoolers, regardless of style of homeschooling or religion. Located in the Bullhead City/Fort Mohave, AZ, Laughlin, NV, and Needles, CA area.
Truckee Tahoe Homeschoolers
Truckee Tahoe Homeschoolers is an inclusive group for homeschoolers and those considering homeschooling in the Truckee-North Lake Tahoe region.
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