Homeschool benefits and savings in Berkeley

Berkeley recreation scholarships waive half or all of the fee for city recreation programs such as sports day camps, after-school academic support, and skateboard camp, for the 2026 calendar year. Berkeley residents qualify by income: a 100% waiver starts at $54,400 for one person and a 50% waiver reaches $144,000 for a household of eight.

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

Who qualifies

1. Lives in Berkeley

   Prove residency with a utility bill or a driver's license.

2. Meets the income limit

   Eligibility depends on household income and family size, and staff can review higher incomes case by case. Some families qualify for a hardship waiver even above the limits.

3. Shows income documents

   Tax returns, pay stubs, Social Security letters, profit and loss statements, student loan or grant documents, or affidavits all count.

4. Proves guardianship the first time

   First-time applicants show a birth certificate or court documents for each child.

What the waiver covers

The City of Berkeley publishes the income limits for one-person and eight-person households; limits for sizes in between fall within these ranges.

1 person, up to $54,400

100%

1 person, up to $76,300

50%

8 people, up to $102,800

100%

8 people, up to $144,000

50%

Higher income with a hardship

Case by case

The city spreads scholarships across households to reach as many families as possible, so ask staff for the exact limit for your household size.

From applying to renewing

1. Before you apply

   Gather documents

   Collect proof of residency, income, and, if this is your first application, guardianship for each child.

2. Any time in 2026

   Apply online

   Create a login on the Online Recreation Portal and submit the New Recreation Scholarship Application 2026, or the renewal application if you had one last year.

3. If you want help

   Ask staff

   The city held help workshops at the James Kenney Community Center for the 2026 cycle. Email recreation@berkeleyca.gov to ask for help checking eligibility.

4. Each calendar year

   Renew

   Scholarships are renewed each calendar year, so submit the renewal application for the new year.

What it pays for

Covered

• Sports day camps
• After-school academic support and activities
• Skateboard camp
• High Sierras family camp

Good to know

• Homeschool families can apply

  The scholarship depends on Berkeley residency, household income, and family size. The city lists no school enrollment requirement.

Who to contact

Recreation staff answer scholarship eligibility questions and accessibility requests.

recreation@berkeleyca.gov 510-981-5150 Scholarship announcement

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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