There are more than 500,000 students in California attending private schools, compared to 5.7 million students in the state’s public schools. As public school enrollment declines, private schools are one possible place where students may be going. The number of private schools has more than doubled over the past 20 years — from 13,803 to 36,516. But studies suggest private schools play a small role in public school enrollment declines. In fact, enrollment at private schools is also declining — down 12% in the past 20 years, compared to public school enrollment decline of 9%. And, a high percentage of students in “private school” are homeschooled.
Number of private schools registered in California in 2025-26, more than double the 13,803 registered private schools in the state 20 years ago in 2005-06.
The percentage of private schools in California with less than six students, suggesting they may be operated by parents. The number of schools operating with five or fewer students is up 235% from 20 years ago.
The sharp increase in the number of private schools is likely due to the rise of home-schooling and microschools — tiny, co-op private schools — corresponding roughly with the Covid-19 pandemic.
Overall private school enrollment in California has declined in the past 20 years by 12%. Looking closer, the drop has been driven by declining enrollment in private schools with more than five students. That has fallen by 21% over the same period. Meanwhile, since 2005–06, the number of private schools with less than six students has nearly tripled, from just over 10,000 to 33,521.
The state does not collect data identifying which private schools are home based. All private schools must file an annual Private School Affidavit (PSA), and parents or other adults seeking to homeschool their own or other children must file the same affidavit. What we do know is that since 2005–06, the number of private schools with less than six students has grown from about 75% of all private schools to over 90% of all private schools.
The trend of rising homeschool enrollment may be over — it hit a peak in 2020-21 at 59,275. But instead of returning to pre-Covid averages, the number has stayed relatively high.
Source: California Department of Education, EdSource analysis.
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This story was originally published by EdSource.