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
Humboldt Unschoolers
Share your homeschooling journey. Unschooling is a life-long learning adventure. Unschoolers learn from everything, so feel free to talk about anything and everything. Come share your stories, ask questions, philosophize. Find out what's going on in Humboldt County, and/or make things happen.
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 Area Homeschooling
San Francisco Bay Area Homeschooling support group offers information, resources, and support. This list is sponsored by Homefires, "The Journal of Homeschooling Online" and is dedicated to networking information in an all-inclusive, neutral forum that is respectful of all beliefs and philosophies.
Bay Area Home Learners (BAHL)
This list is for the families with homeschooled school-aged kids of all ages and who attend the Bay Area Homelearners high schoolers park day/support group activities in Santa Clara County, California. This is a Sunnvyale-based group.
Homegrown Kids
Homegrown Kids is an inclusive group of homeschooling families in the East Bay. They meet weekly for park days and organize field trips, classes, potlucks, and other events according to members' interests and schedules.
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.
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.
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).
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.
Santa Monica West LA Child Led Learners
Unschooling support group serving families in the Santa Monica and West Los Angeles 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.
California Homeschool Leaders
California Homeschool Network invites local support group leaders throughout California to join together in a statewide e-mail list to network together on legal and legislative issues that might impact all California homeschoolers. This list is limited to local leaders, and also legal/legislative representatives from the 3 state organizations.
Del Rey Home Educators
Del Rey Home Educators is a group of home school families enrolled in the private ISP Del Rey, located in San Diego/El Cajon, California.
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.
Foothills Unschooling Network
Foothills Unschooling Network is a support group for families in Placer County, CA, and neighboring counties.
Looking for Another State?
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