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
Ventura County Homeschoolers
Ventura County Home Learners is a support group for homeschoolers in Ventura County. Offers activities and ideas, resources, and information for current, former, and prospective Ventura County (Southern California) homeschoolers, unschoolers, and independent study learners and their families.
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...
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.
Homeschooling Children With Love
This group was formed to post events and share information or ideas that may be useful to families that homeschool or are considering homeschooling in Placer and surrounding counties.
Classical Homeschoolers of the Silicon Valley
Classical Homeschoolers of the Silicon Valley is an all-inclusive support group for those following the classical homeschooling education model of "The Well Trained Mind" (Jessie Wise and Susan Bauer) or similar methods (e.g. Hirsch, Bennett, Mason).
Unschool San Diego
Unschool San Diego is designed to facilitate connections between unschooling families in the Greater San Diego area and surrounding communities. It exists to provide a place where local unschoolers can meet and get to know one another, arrange get-togethers and have a local unschooling support group.
Ventura Homeschool
Ventura Homeschool is a support resource for homeschoolers in and around Ventura, California. This is an inclusive homeschooling group that welcomes all styles of homeschooling.
Homeschoolers of La Mirada
Homeschoolers of La Mirada is an inclusive support group for families in the La Mirada area.
Home Schooling at Beale Air Force Base
The purpose of this group is to provide a venue for assistance and information concerning home schooling at Beale AFB. It is open to all who wish to participate, whether a member of a local charter school, independent study program, private school (R4) filer, or those who may just be curious about home schooling in general.
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.
Truckee Tahoe Homeschoolers
Truckee Tahoe Homeschoolers is an inclusive group for homeschoolers and those considering homeschooling in the Truckee-North Lake Tahoe region.
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.
Sunland Christian School (SCS)
Sunland Christian School (SCS) is an evangelical Christian ministry operating to serve families who desire to teach their own children at home by providing accountability, resources and counsel. They are accredited with the National Independent Study Accreditation Council (NISAC). They offer classes, record keeping services, field trips, seminars, achievement testing, summer school, a high school program, high school graduation, and more.
HomeSchool Association of California
The HomeSchool Association of California supports and promotes the entire spectrum of homeschooling. They provide information, monitor and influence legislation, offer networking opportunities for homeschooling families, and more.
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