by Dena Bless
Jul 21, 2025
We have seen many questions popping up in our Facebook groups about the Private School Affidavit (PSA). We want to take a moment to address those queries and clear up any confusion you might have. Let’s dive in together!
Overview Some questions can be answered by understanding what the PSA actually is and is not.
The PSA is simply a recording of a private school in California. This applies to both large brick and mortar schools and single family home schools. It is a “snapshot” of what your school looks like on the day you file it.
The PSA is NOT an application or a request for permission to have your school. Nor is it a notification of the exact date your school begins.
When do I need to file my PSA?
The legal filing period according to the California Education Code is October 1 – 15 of each year (EC Section 33190).
You may start school at any time you wish. The filing period is October 1 – 15 regardless.
If you start your school after that (e.g. you pull your student(s) from public school at the semester break), then you file it at that point.
How often do I have to file a PSA?
You file one time every October for each school year.
You don’t file again, or even need to make amendments, every time something changes in your school, whether that’s the number of students, number of administrators (you bring on someone to handle work permits), or you move during the school year.
When you file the following year, you reflect those changes in your filing.
If you move out of state, you do not need to do anything, but you can notify them of the school closing so they don’t pester you for more records.
You then need to find out what the laws are for your new state. HomeschoolFreedom.com is a great resource for state laws, as well as finding an organization like CHEA in your new state.
What if my student is “enrolled” in an online school in a different state?
Students living in California must be enrolled in a California school, therefore, you still need to file a PSA or belong to a PSP (Private School Satellite Program). Your child can take classes from a school in any state, but they must be enrolled in a California school.
If I belong to a PSP, do I need to file?
No. If you belong to a PSP, they are the private school and will file the affidavit including your student(s). You also do not need to file if you belong to a charter or other public or private school.
If you belong to a support group, co-op, learning center, or another type of group that may offer classes but doesn’t file a PSA, you will need to file your own PSA or belong to a PSP so that your child is legally enrolled in a private school.
What do I do with my PSA after filing it in October?
Just keep it on file with your other school files. You don’t have to show it to anyone or submit it elsewhere. You also don’t need it in order to withdraw your student from another school. Just withdraw your student using a letter like this one (notice it doesn’t mention homeschooling). Wait a few days and request your student’s records as your new school with a letter like this sample letter.
Where can I find more information?
If you still have questions, we have several resources to help you:
Explore the full Filing a Private School Affidavit page on our website.
We will hold our annual PSA Filing Party on Wednesday, October 1 at 7:00 p.m. It is a great deal of fun every year as we go through the affidavit page-by-page together so you are all done filing by the end of the “party!” You may even win one of our giveaways! It is free for anyone to attend, and CHEA members will have access to the recording as part of our Digital Library.
You may ask questions in our Homeschool California Facebook Group.
You can contact our office, Monday - Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at 562-864-2432 or by email.
Our wonderful Home Educational Consultant is available for FREE to answer these questions and more, 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. (Monday - Thursday) and 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. on Saturdays at 562-544-7875.
If you are filing a PSA this year, whether for the first time or the fifth, we hope to see you at our Filing Party Webinar on October 1!
