Choosing a school? Youāve got options.
Each spring, parents face one of the biggest decisions they can make for their childās future: what learning environment will their child spend about 1,000 hours in next year?Ā Letās dive into school choice in California.
Making that decision with confidence starts with knowing your options. You may have more educational choices than you realize. Understanding these options can help you find a school where your child grows and learns to the best of their ability. Remember, each child is unique. So, the ābestā school for your child may be different than the ābestā school for your neighborās child. Thatās okay!
In California, you can choose fromĀ traditional public schools,Ā public charter schools, public magnet schools, private schools,Ā online learning,Ā homeschooling, andĀ microschooling and mix-and-match learning.
One of the many factors families consider when choosing a school is transportation. In California, transportation is available for students who attend their assigned public school or have transportation services in their Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Transportation may be available for other types of schools – for more information visit our transportation guide.
If youāre looking for special education options, you can learn about whatās available in your state at theĀ Ultimate Guide to Special Education.
Widely
Available
Traditional Public Schools
Public Charter Schools
Public Magnet Schools
Private Schools
Online Learning
Homeschooling
Microschooling
Partially
Available
Public School Transfers
Not
Available
State Choice Funding
Widely
Available
Traditional Public Schools
Public Charter Schools
Public Magnet Schools
Private Schools
Online Learning
Homeschooling
Microschooling
Partially
Available
Public School Transfers
Not
Available
State Choice Funding
Download the School Choice Snapshot for California
Click a School Type to See Your Options
Traditional Public School
Free public school based on your address or zone
Public Charter School
Free public schools open to all students run by an independent board of directors
Homeschool
School that takes place in your own home
Online Learning
Schools where students attend virtually, can be free public or private schools
Microschool
School that takes place with a small group of students
California Traditional Public Schools
First off, most children in California (70.1%) attend traditional public schools. Traditional public schools are free to attend, open to all students, operated by schoolĀ districts, and funded by taxpayers like you.Ā California spends an average ofĀ $18,906Ā per public school pupil each year.
Open enrollment is an important form of public school choice. Open enrollment refers to whether a state allows parents to send their children to schools outside of their district. In California, parents of students assigned to low-performing schools may be able to transfer their childrenĀ to another school based on the stateās limited open enrollment laws. In general, school districts in California can also set their own open enrollment policies, so parents can check with their local district to learn more. As a real-world example, theĀ William S. Hart Union High School DistrictĀ only accepts transfers within its district for a few student groups, including victims of bullying, foster youth, and children of active military.
Parents can request that the school they select through open enrollment providesĀ transportation assistance.
Different public schools may have different cultures and missions. For example, we recently spoke to Sonia Flores, the principal at Californiaās Dr. TJ Owens Gilroy Early College Academy, which wasĀ ranked in the top 50 public high schools in the United States.Ā She told us that, while the school serves all students, its special mission is to support āstudents who are first in their family to go to college, or students who come from a low-income background who face obstacles that prevent them from being successful in a comprehensive high school setting.ā
Find out more about public schools in your state atĀ Californiaās Department of Education.Ā You can also learn more about Californiaās open enrollment options in thisĀ 50-state report.
California Charter Schools
Secondly, families in California have another tuition-free option in charter schools.Ā Like traditional public schools, charter schools are public, free, and usually have no requirements for entry. What distinguishes charter schools is that they have extra freedom to innovate with learning methods. In addition, public charter schools are accountable toĀ authorizing entities, such as colleges or school districts, for results.
TheĀ first charter school in California opened in 1994Ā in San Carlos. Today, aboutĀ one in nineĀ of Californiaās public school students attend a charter school. The state has around 1,000 charter schools, which can be found inĀ this school directory.Ā Each charter has a particular focus and strives to fill a unique role in the local community. For example, this could be providing a STEAM program or a rigorous literacy program. When we interviewed the executive director of one of Californiaās largest charter schools, Granada Hills Charter School, we learned thatĀ the school serves students from 60 countries who, collectively, speak more than 40 languages!
Free transportation may be available to some students who attend charter schools in California. Students with special needs who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and students facing homelessness are eligible to receive transportation assistance.
One of Californiaās newest charter schools isĀ California Republic Leadership Academy Capistrano, which focuses on classical education and leadership.Ā For more info about California charters, check outĀ The California Charter Schools Association.
California Magnet Schools
Depending on where you live in California, you may also be able to choose a magnet school. These free, public schools allow kids to focus on specific themes, like science or the performing arts.Ā If your child learns best by diving deeply into a subject he or she is passionate about, a magnet school could be a good fit.
For the 2025 school year, there are about 400Ā magnet schools or programs in California servingĀ 7.7% of the K-12 student population. Districts with magnet schools includeĀ ABC Unified School District,Ā Glendale Unified School District,Ā Los Angeles Unified School District,Ā the Napa Valley Unified School District,Ā Pasadena Unified School District,Ā San Diego Unified School District, and Vista Unified School District. Roybal Film and Television Magnet, a new magnet program advised by George Clooney and other Hollywood influencers opened in downtown Los Angeles in 2022.Ā The school prepares students for jobs in the entertainment industry.
Learn more about how California magnet schools function and are funded at theĀ California Department of Education.
California Private Schools
In addition, you can consider private schools, nonpublic schools that charge tuition. There are about 3,900Ā private schools across the state of California, and these schools offer families unique learning environments. For instance, private schools may be religious schools, non-sectarianĀ MontessoriĀ schools, or schools designed for children with learning differences.Ā 8.6% of the K-12 student populationĀ in California attends a private school.
The average tuition for private schools in the state isĀ $17,341Ā for elementary schools andĀ $23,164Ā for high schools.Ā Tuition can vary quite a lot, and may be much lower in some cases. Unfortunately, in California there are not currently any state-run scholarships to help families afford private school tuition. Privately-run scholarships may be available.
Learn more at theĀ California Association of Private School Organizations,Ā The BASIC Fund,Ā Catholic Education Foundation,Ā The Guardsmen Scholarship Program,Ā andĀ Private School Review: California.
California Online Learning
California doesnāt have an official state virtual school, but there are several free, full-time online learning options for students. In California, a fully online school is only allowed to serve students in contiguous counties, not students statewide. Because of this, some education management organizations operate multiple online schools to be able to serve students from across the state. Two of the biggest of these online school ānetworksā are Connections Academy at SpringsĀ andĀ California Virtual Academies.
California has more than 53 online charter schools, giving every California student a fully online option. California Pacific Charter Schools is a free online choice for students in more than a dozen California counties. Meanwhile,Ā Method Online SchoolĀ serves southern California students, andĀ Compass Charter SchoolsĀ serves Los Angeles, Yolo, San Diego, and surrounding areas.
K-12 students in Ventura, San Bernardino, Kern, and Orange counties can also considerĀ IQ Academy-Los Angeles. While much of the learning is facilitated by technology, this learning program offers in-person field trips and meet-ups as well. Students in grades 9-12 needing additional academic support to overcome obstacles may wish to considerĀ Insight Schools of California.
Additionally, some districts have created their own online schools, likeĀ Davis School for Independent Study, Washington Unified School DIstrict’s Virtual Academy, El Dorado Union High School Districtās Pacific Crest Academy,Ā Elk Grove Unified School Districtās Virtual Academy,Ā andĀ Vista Virtual Academy. Students in the district or who have received an interdistrict transfer can apply. Los Angeles Unified School DistrictāsĀ Virtual AcademyĀ served nearlyĀ 18,000Ā students during the 2021-2022 school year. In response to the appetite for online options, the district created six new theme-based online schools for the 2022-2023 school year. Each online program has a unique focus, such as computer science or leadership and public service.
When considering your options, you may also want to keep in mind that the University of CaliforniaāsĀ Scout ProgramĀ allows highschoolers to take part-time online courses and earn credit for a fee. To read more about online learning in California, check out theĀ Digital Learning Collaborativeās state profileĀ andĀ California Parents for Public Virtual Education.
California Homeschooling
You can also choose homeschooling, the process of parents educating students at home.Ā In California,Ā 2.7% of all K-12 studentsĀ are homeschooled.
Homeschooling Requirements:
The state requires notice of your intent to homeschool between October 1 ā October 15 of each year if you are homeschooling as a home-based private school. It is recommended that you formally withdraw from your current school so that your student is not marked truant.
If you choose to homeschool, you are required toĀ teach courses commonly taught in public schools, but specific standardized tests are not requiredĀ if you are homeschooling as a home-based private school.Ā In general, children who are homeschooled may face roadblocks if they want to participate in public school sports or activities in California, but other sports leagues may be available.
California may haveĀ funding assistanceĀ available if you homeschool through aĀ charter schoolĀ program.Ā Check out the California Homeschool NetworkĀ andĀ Home School Legal Defense Association ā CaliforniaĀ for more resources about homeschooling specific to California.
We recently spoke to the Cox Family, a California familyĀ that found that homeschooling was the best fitĀ for one of their three children. As mom Erica Cox put it, finding the right school for your child requires being open to thinking outside the box: āIf you want your kid to be a successful student, you need to find the right type of school and environment for them to thrive in. Donāt assume because it works for one [student] it will work for the others.ā
California Microschools and Mix-and-Match Learning
Today, many California families are mixing and matching school options to come up with new ways to personalize education.Ā MicroschoolsĀ are one of these ways. A microschool refers to students gathering together in a small group ā with adult supervision ā to learn, explore, and socialize. Microschools can take a variety of shapes and legal forms, from homeschoolers coming together at an enrichment center to a private school committed to small classrooms. What microschools share in common is a commitment to small-group learning, close-knit relationships, and emphasizing children as individual learners.
Examples of the many microschools and innovative learning choices in California:
- Silicon SchoolsĀ āfunds the creation of new schools that foster innovation and personalization to discover the next generation of schools in America.ā TheirĀ granteesĀ include several microschools and other innovative educational initiatives.
- Chronos Academy,Ā a microschool in Larkspur, evolved from a cohort program for homeschoolers to a private school with intentionally small classes.
- The Players Academy, a network of full-time learning centers that offer hybrid learning for student athletes, is opening locations in Rancho Cordova, West Sacramento, and Walnut Creek.
- In Oakland, the Oakland REACH offersĀ virtual learning hubsĀ to help students receive support and academic and social enrichment.
- Global Village SchoolĀ is a homeschool/private school hybrid that was founded back in 1999. The school focuses on self-directed distance learning, social justice, and sustainability.
- The Open SchoolĀ is a small, self-directed school for creative learners. The Open School has a campus in Santa Ana and a virtual program for non-local families.
- Acton Academy Venice Beach is part of theĀ Acton AcademyĀ network that primarily emphasizes self-directed learning and entrepreneurial thinking in a collaborative environment.
- Praxis EliteĀ offers an innovative middle school curriculum that combines academics and athletics in equal measure.
- Julian Charter SchoolĀ is hybrid-style public charter school that serves more than 2,000 students.
- Seeds of Love CollectiveĀ focuses on developing holistic educational pathways in connection with nature. Their Open Wilderness Literacy & Science (OWLS) microschool offers outdoor education with hands-on learning experiences for learners aged 6-11 to cultivate community, friendships, and joy in learning.
- Inner Fire AcademyĀ provides an intimate and tailored learning environment for homeschoolers and students enrolled in accredited virtual schools, specializing in gifted children aged 8-12 with a focus on customized, engaging education.
- Ellemercito AcademyĀ is a Los Angeles-based microschool focused on experiential, place-based learning.
- Angeles Workshop SchoolĀ is a student-led private school in Los Angeles serving up to just 20 students.
- BrightworksĀ in San Francisco is a small school that seeks to foster studentsā advocacy and love of learning through project-based experiences.
- The Los Angeles Microschool NetworkĀ is a resource-sharing network for Catholic schools that serve less than 150 students.
- There are at least fourĀ Wildflower Montessori microschoolsĀ in California, in San Jose, San Francisco, San Diego, and Pittsburg.
Remember, microschooling is more a mentality than a specific legal distinction in most cases. Often, a family participates in a microschool while legally homeschooling, or being enrolled in a private or online school.
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