Homeschool benefits: Sacramento Public Library

A Sacramento Public Library Teacher Card lets you check out most books and audiobooks for six weeks, plus eBooks and eAudiobooks, in addition to your personal card. Homeschool parents who teach in the library's service area qualify by bringing a letter from the local school district acknowledging that you homeschool. Other options include transit fare savings.

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

Sacramento Public Library homeschool educator card

Who qualifies

1. Teaches in the service area

   When you apply, you confirm that you teach within the Sacramento Public Library service area.

2. Has a district homeschool letter

   The library accepts a letter from your local school district acknowledging that you homeschool. Other proof includes a school ID, pay stub, or letter on school letterhead.

3. Picks up the card in person

   Bring your proof of educator status to your nearest branch within 14 days of applying online.

What the card gives you

Sacramento Public Library's educator page and Teacher Card application set these terms.

Most books and audiobooks

6 weeks

Lucky Day items and DVDs

3 weeks

eBooks and eAudiobooks

Included

Personal card alongside it

Allowed

Renewal of the Teacher Card

Every year

Borrowing is suspended if you get a second overdue notice for any item, and you are charged for lost or damaged materials, so track what goes home with your students.

How to get the card

1. Before you apply

   Get your district letter

   Ask your local school district for a letter acknowledging that you homeschool, since that is the homeschool proof the library lists.

2. Online

   Submit the Teacher Card application

   Fill out the online Teacher Card application with your phone, birth date, and email, and confirm that you teach in the service area.

3. Within 14 days

   Pick up the card

   Take your district letter to your nearest branch and collect the Teacher Card.

4. Each year

   Renew it

   Renew the Teacher Card annually with current proof of educator status.

What it includes

Included

• Most books and audiobooks for six weeks
• eBooks and eAudiobooks
• Lucky Day items and DVDs for three weeks

Not included

• Partner library and Link+ items
• Video games
• STEM Kits
• ZipBooks
• Personal-use borrowing

The Teacher Card is for teaching materials; the library asks you to use its regular library card for personal borrowing, and you can hold both.

Who to contact about the card

Library staff answer questions about Teacher Cards, educator proof, and school or class visits.

916-264-2920 Contact us

SacRT RydeFreeRT

Who qualifies

1. Is in grades TK-12

   RydeFreeRT is for students in transitional kindergarten through 12th grade. It does not cover people over 18 who are pursuing a GED.

2. Lives in the service area

   If your child lives or goes to school within the SacRT service area, they qualify. A homeschooled child qualifies through your home address.

3. Carries a valid card

   Your child must show a valid RydeFreeRT card, currently the one valid June 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.

What free rides save

SacRT's posted fares for students in grades TK-12 and for basic riders ages 19-61 are what a rider without RydeFreeRT pays.

Student single ride

$1.25

Student daily pass

$3.50

Student monthly pass

$20.00

Basic single ride, ages 19-61

$2.50

Basic monthly pass, ages 19-61

$100.00

With a RydeFreeRT card

Free

SacRT renews the program each year depending on funding, so check for a new card before the current one expires June 30, 2027.

How to get the card

1. Any time of year

   Pick up a card

   Schools hand out cards before summer break, but a homeschooled student can get one any time at the SacRT Customer Service and Sales Center, 1225 R Street, or at a Sacramento County public library.

2. Every ride

   Show the card

   Show the card to the operator when boarding a bus, or when asked for fare on light rail.

3. By June 30, 2027

   Watch for the next card

   The current card expires June 30, 2027. SacRT issues new cards each year when funding renews the program.

What it includes

Included

• SacRT fixed-route buses
• SacRT light rail
• Rides during school breaks and weekends
• Trips for any purpose, not only school

Not included

• People over 18 pursuing a GED
• Youth outside the SacRT service area, except foster or homeless youth

Partner jurisdictions and school districts help fund RydeFreeRT, and SacRT renews it each year depending on funding.

Good to know

• RydeFreeRT works outside school hours

  RydeFreeRT works all day, any day, all year during regular SacRT service hours, including school breaks.

Who to contact about RydeFreeRT

The Customer Service and Sales Center at 1225 R Street, next to the 13th Street light rail station, hands out RydeFreeRT cards and answers fare questions.

916-321-2877 RydeFreeRT 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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