Homeschool benefits and savings in the Barstow Community College District

Barstow Community College lets dual enrollment students take up to 11.5 units free each fall and spring semester and 6 units free in summer, waiving the $46-a-unit enrollment fee, worth up to $1,334 a year. Homeschooled students in grades 9-12 qualify with a copy of the California private school affidavit, a private satellite program signature, or a credentialed tutor's signature.

By Andrew Garber, founder of TheHomeschoolingCompany. Reviewed August 25, 2026.

Who qualifies

1. Is in grades 9-12

   Middle and elementary school students can appeal with transcripts and a principal's letter.

2. Files the private school affidavit

   A home-based private school attaches a copy of its annual affidavit filed with the California Superintendent of Public Instruction.

3. Or uses a satellite or tutor

   In a private satellite program, the program's principal or counselor signs the agreement. With a private tutor, the person signing as principal must hold a valid California teaching credential.

4. Stays within the unit limit

   Going over the limit removes the waiver for every unit that term, and physical education and remedial courses are not allowed.

What the waiver saves

Barstow Community College charges California residents a $46 enrollment fee per unit.

One 3-unit class

$138

Summer limit (6 units)

$276

Fall or spring limit (11.5 units)

$529

Fall and spring at the limit

$1,058

Fall, spring, and summer at the limit

$1,334

Barstow's fees page says concurrently enrolled students are exempt at 10.5 units or fewer, not 11.5, so confirm the limit with Admissions and Records before your student registers for more than 10.5 units.

From applying to keeping it

1. Before the semester

   Apply through OpenCCC

   Use a personal email and choose the major "K-12 concurrent enrollment." A student ID number arrives by email within 48 hours.

2. After applying

   Meet a counselor

   Book a college counselor to build an education plan, then complete the online orientation in the MYBCC portal.

3. Every semester

   Submit the agreement form

   Fill out and sign the Dual Enrollment Agreement Form listing every class, with the affidavit attached, and send it to Admissions and Records.

4. After processing

   Register for classes

   Register once Admissions and Records processes the agreement, and keep within the free unit limit.

What it pays for

Covered

• The $46-a-unit enrollment fee
• Up to 11.5 units each fall and spring
• Up to 6 units in summer

Not covered

• Physical education courses
• Remedial courses
• Any units once the limit is exceeded
• Class materials fees

Good to know

• Too many units costs you the whole waiver

  Your student loses the waiver and pays out of pocket for every unit that semester, not just the extra ones.

Who to contact

The dual enrollment office and Admissions and Records answer questions about homeschool documents, unit limits, and agreement forms.

dual@barstow.edu 760-252-2411 Dual enrollment page

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

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