Thinking about homeschooling in Big Bear?
You do not need a curriculum, a teaching degree, or a plan for the next ten years to begin.
1. Breathe. You don't need it all figured out.
Most families up here started with one curious kid and a lot of questions. You do not need a teaching degree, a classroom, or a ten-year plan. You need a first step and a few people to ask.
2. Understand your options in California
In California most homeschooling families either file a private school affidavit (PSA) for their own home, enroll in a public charter or independent study program, or work with a private school satellite program (PSP). Each one has different paperwork, funding and freedom. The California Homeschool Network page linked on the home page explains all three in plain language.
3. Find your people before you find your curriculum
Curriculum is easy to change; community is what keeps you going. Join a local group chat, show up to a park day, and ask what other Big Bear families use. You are allowed to just watch for a while.
4. Pick something small and start
Read together. Count things. Walk the shoreline and name what you see. Learning in the first weeks looks a lot more like ordinary life than like school, and that is normal.
5. Use the mountain
The Discovery Center, the zoo, the lake, the trails, the library — the valley is full of hands-on learning that costs little or nothing. Many families build their whole week around one outdoor day.
Still have a question?
Send it over — if a few people ask the same thing, it ends up on this page.