Homeschool benefits: Lodi Unified School District
Rio Valley Charter School, a Pacific Charter Institute (PCI) homeschool charter, gives each student 3,000 Educational Units (EUs) for 2026-27 to spend on secular curriculum, supplies, classes, and field trips that a credentialed teacher approves, with no more than 1,500 in the first semester. Students who enroll in this public charter and live in its service area qualify.
Who qualifies
Enrolls at Rio Valley
Your child becomes a student at Rio Valley Charter School, a public charter that supports homeschool and independent study, and you work with a California-credentialed teacher. Submitting an application does not guarantee enrollment.
Lives in the service area
Rio Valley is a PCI charter sponsored by Lodi Unified School District. Ask PCI whether your address falls in Rio Valley's current service area before you apply.
Follows a learning plan
Every purchase must support your child's Master Agreement and Student Learning Plan, and teachers inspect items before submitting a reimbursement.
Uses secular materials
The budget pays only for secular, non-religious curriculum and enrichment.
What it is worth
PCI's 2026-27 Homeschool Budget Guidelines and board policy BP 3001, revised June 8, 2026, apply to all PCI homeschool schools.
- Full-year budget
- 3,000 EUs
- First semester
- 1,500 EUs
- PE or enrichment, per month
- 150-250 EUs
- Field trips, per month
- 50 EUs
- Services from one vendor, per month
- 250 EUs
- Internet service, per month
- $25
PCI states budgets in Educational Units rather than dollars, while the board policy sets some caps in dollars, so ask your teacher how EUs convert before you plan a large purchase. Students meeting grade-level benchmarks or in approved academic supports get the 250 EU monthly PE or enrichment limit.
From enrolling to spending it
- Before you enroll
Apply to Rio Valley
Submit an application through Pacific Charter Institute, then build your child's Master Agreement and Student Learning Plan with your assigned credentialed teacher.
- Before buying
Get pre-approval
Email your credentialed teacher with your child's name, grade, and how the item supports learning for anything over 100 EUs. Software and apps also need teacher and Principal approval first.
- By each fall and spring deadline
Submit receipts
Turn in typed, itemized receipts showing the vendor, payment method, and delivery. Services are reimbursed only after they are completed, and late receipts are not paid.
- From July 1, 2027
Use Community Partners for services
A new state law, AB 126, bars PCI from reimbursing families for activities or services, so lessons and classes will need to come through approved Community Partners. Supplies and curriculum can still be reimbursed.
- End of the school year
Return non-consumables
Return reimbursed non-consumable items within 2 weeks after the school year ends or after your child leaves. Unspent budget does not carry over.
What it pays for
Covered
- Secular curriculum and textbooks
- School supplies beyond the basics PCI provides
- Lessons, classes, and tutoring from cleared providers
- Field trips and individual admission tickets
- ACT or SAT testing and up to 3 college applications
Not covered
- Laptops, tablets, and monitors not issued by the school
- Musical instruments and equipment
- Competition, tournament, and event entry fees
- Private school, day care, or preschool tuition
- Streaming services and season passes
PCI does not give families cash up front: you pay, submit receipts through the Online Purchasing System, and PCI reimburses you, while pre-approved vendors are paid with school vouchers.
Who to contact
PCI's corporate office main line connects families with Rio Valley and the other PCI schools for enrollment and budget questions.
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
- Can we use the Rio Valley budget for religious curriculum?
- No. PCI budgets pay only for secular curriculum and enrichment listed on your child's Master Agreement and learning plan.
- Can the Rio Valley budget buy a laptop?
- No. Laptops, tablets, monitors, and other electronic devices are excluded unless the school issues them.
- What changes for lessons and classes in 2027?
- Starting July 1, 2027, state law bars PCI from reimbursing activities or services. Families can keep using EUs with PCI Community Partners; ask your provider to apply.
- What if we spend money and the request is denied?
- You cover the cost. Teachers, approvers, and PCI administration can deny any request that does not fit your child's learning plan, so get approval before large purchases.
Turn support into your child’s next lesson
Put eligible education funds toward a curriculum that teaches the courses and grades the work. Check the program’s purchasing rules before paying.
$149/month per child after the trial.
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