Homeschool benefits: Davis Joint Unified School District
Davis School for Independent Study (DSIS) is a Davis Joint Unified public school where you teach your K-8 child at home with district-adopted materials, a weekly 50-minute one-on-one meeting with a supervising teacher, and on-site enrichment workshops and field trips. Submit the 2026-27 DSIS application to join; new students start August 25, 2026 or January 5, 2027.
Who qualifies
Enrolls as a DSIS student
Your child becomes a Davis Joint Unified public school student under a signed written agreement. In the K-8 homeschool program, you are the primary instructor.
Lives in Davis or transfers in
Families outside Davis need an inter-district transfer (IDT) from their district of residence that names DSIS and gives "Independent Study" as the reason. Employment in Davis cannot be the reason.
Turns in a complete application
Attach residency documents and the other required documents, even if your child already attends a Davis school. DSIS will not move forward with an incomplete application.
Has an IEP review if needed
A student with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) needs an IEP meeting at the current school to decide whether independent study can provide a free appropriate public education.
What the program gives you
The terms come from the DSIS homeschool program and enrollment pages and the Davis Joint Unified program description.
- Meeting with a supervising teacher
- 50 minutes weekly
- Curriculum
- District-adopted
- Enrichment workshops
- On site, multi-age
- Small in-person classes
- Grades 7-8
- Field trips and community activities
- Included
- New-student start dates
- Aug. 25 or Jan. 5
DSIS also enrolls new students on some Fridays during the year, but those dates are listed as to be determined, so ask the office for the next one.
How to enroll
- Before you apply
Review the program
Read the information slides on the DSIS enrollment page for elementary (grades K-6) or middle school (grades 7-8).
- Any time
Submit the 2026-27 application
Complete the online application with residency documents attached. Applying puts your child on the list, which matters because some grade levels have waitlists.
- Before enrollment
Attend an information session
A parent attends a session with the DSIS principal at 4 p.m. on a Monday at 526 B Street, Davis. Students in grades 7-12 attend too.
- Before the start date
Sign the written agreement
The counselor sends the written agreement for electronic signature. Students already in a Davis K-9 school also need an intradistrict transfer, due by noon on a Tuesday.
- On the start date
Begin with a welcome letter
Keep your child in their current school until DSIS emails a welcome letter with the start date and orientation details.
What it includes
Included
- Weekly supervising teacher meetings
- District-adopted curriculum and guidance
- Enrichment workshops on site
- Field trips and community activities
Good to know
Families outside Davis can transfer in
Families who live elsewhere request a transfer from their home district and complete the Davis Joint Unified transfer process, listing independent study as the reason.
Who to contact about enrolling
The DSIS office at 526 B Street, Davis, answers questions about applications, waitlists, and start dates.
dsisprincipal@djusd.net 530-757-5333 DSIS homeschool enrollment
Homeschool rules and statewide help in California
For the home-based private-school pathway, file the Private School Affidavit during the October 1–15 annual filing period. New schools may use the online filing system during its separate August 1–June 30 opening window. Other legal pathways have their own rules.
California sets these rules:
- Subjects: The private-school pathway must provide instruction in English in the branches of study required for public schools; the parent chooses the materials and course sequence.
- Testing: California does not impose a statewide standardized-testing requirement on private-school students.
- Records: Private schools must keep the records required by California law, including attendance and faculty information.
- Teachers: Private-school instructors must be capable of teaching; California does not issue a separate homeschool-parent credential.
Read the California homeschooling guide See statewide programs in California
Questions parents ask
- Is there a DSIS waitlist?
- Some grade levels have waitlists. DSIS suggests applying even if you are unsure, so your child's name is on the list.
- What does a middle schooler get beyond the homeschool model?
- Students in grades 7-8 can add small in-person classes. Students in grades 7-12 can choose the hybrid academy, with 2-3 partial days on campus each week, or the virtual academy for grades 9-12.
- Can we ask questions before signing anything?
- Yes. Before you sign the written agreement, you may request a phone, video, or in-person conference to ask about curriculum and supports in independent study.
Turn support into your child’s next lesson
Local classes cover the subjects they offer. We teach the remaining subjects, so a local class can stay part of the year without becoming the whole curriculum.
$149/month per child after the trial.
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