Out of State Families

California families typically choose one of the pathways below. In both cases, your student can complete our coursework fully online through pre-recorded lessons, readings, and assignments.

Pathway 1 (Recommended): Enroll under a California PSP (Umbrella Private School)

A Private School Satellite Program (PSP) is a private school that has filed a PSA and supports families who educate primarily at home. The PSP serves as the California “school of record” and typically helps with required recordkeeping.

How it works

1. Choose and enroll in a California PSP (the PSP becomes your school of record).

2. Enroll with Porter Hill Academy of Arts and Sciences for coursework and instruction.

3. Complete coursework through our learning portal.

4. If your PSP requests it, we can provide course descriptions, grade reports, and progress documentation for your records.

Why families choose this option

• Less administrative burden on parents (PSP supports compliance and recordkeeping)

• Clear “school of record” relationship in California

Pathway 2: File a Home-Based Private School (PSA) in California

Some families choose to operate independently by filing the California Private School Affidavit (PSA) and maintaining their own private-school records.

Key timing

• The PSA has a statutory filing period of October 1–15 each year.

• The California Department of Education also notes the online filing system is generally open August 1 through June 30 to accommodate new/home schools (with July start-ups typically filing when the system opens in August).

How it works

1. File your PSA (your home-based private school becomes the California school of record).

2. Enroll with Porter Hill Academy of Arts and Sciences for coursework and instruction.

3. Maintain your own records as the private school administrator (your PSA school is responsible for compliance).

In our Learning Steward model, families remain closely involved in supporting the student’s day-to-day learning at home, while our teachers provide structured academic guidance and feedback.

California families enrolled in our program receive:

• Fully online coursework delivered through pre-recorded lessons, readings, and assignments

• Clear pacing guidance and due dates

• Grading, feedback, and progress reporting through the student portal (consistent with our Terms & Conditions)

• Course descriptions and documentation that can support PSP/PSA recordkeeping

• Transcript support as an educational program record (see below)

To keep responsibilities clear and appropriate:

• We do not file the California PSA on a family’s behalf.

• We do not serve as the California “private school of record” or umbrella PSP for families.

• We do not make legal determinations about compulsory attendance compliance for individual families.

• We do not act as the custodian of California-required private school records (that role belongs to your PSP or your PSA-filed home private school).

California does not require participation in state standardized testing for students homeschooling through the PSA or a private PSP; however, individual PSPs may set their own assessment or documentation requirements.

Porter Hill Academy of Arts and Sciences provides grade reports and progress updates through the student portal, and transcripts may be requested per our published policies.

For California families:

• If you are enrolled under a PSP, the PSP may issue the official school transcript as the school of record, using our grades and course documentation as supporting records.

• If you file a home-based PSA, your home private school is the school of record and maintains the official cumulative file. We can still provide a detailed program transcript and course documentation for your records.

Before submitting your application, confirm you have:

• Chosen your California pathway: PSP or PSA

• Identified your Learning Steward (parent/guardian who will oversee at-home progress)

• A plan for recordkeeping (your PSP’s requirements or your PSA home-school records)

• Reviewed our enrollment and course policies (Terms & Conditions)

Is Porter Hill Academy of Arts and Sciences a California charter school?

No. We are a private, fully online program rooted in classical Christian formation. (Charter programs are public-school programs and operate differently than private PSP/PSA options.)

Can I enroll in Porter Hill and “count that” as my California legal enrollment?

California families typically participate with us alongside a PSP or PSA pathway. The PSP/PSA is the California legal umbrella/school of record.

Do you provide live instruction?

Our California pathway is designed to work fully online with pre-recorded instruction and at-home completion. Any optional supports are supplemental and not required for participation.