Homeschool benefits and savings in Simi Valley
Monte Vista School is Simi Valley Unified's free public independent study school for transitional kindergarten through grade 12, where your child works at home with district materials and meets a supervising teacher for one hour each week. Open enrollment for 2026-27 is closed, so a family leaving independent homeschooling has to ask the school about a referral for a later term.
Who qualifies
Enrolls in Simi Valley Unified
Monte Vista is a Simi Valley Unified public school, so your child becomes a district student rather than an independent homeschooler filing a private school affidavit.
Gets a referral
Students already in a district school are referred by their counselor or principal. If your child is homeschooled now, call Monte Vista to ask how a referral is made for your family.
Commits for a semester
Students agree to independent study for at least one semester, and both the student and a parent sign the enrollment contract.
Completes weekly hours
The minimum is 20 hours of academic work a week in grades K-5, 25 in grades 6-8, and 30 in grades 9-12.
What the program gives you
The terms come from Monte Vista School's frequently asked questions and enrollment pages.
- Cost to your family
- Free
- Teacher appointment
- 1 hour a week
- Weekly work, grades 9-12
- 30 hours
- Parent at appointments, grades K-8
- Required
- Course length
- 18-20 weeks
- High school courses meeting A-G
- Yes
Monte Vista uses the same teaching materials as the rest of Simi Valley Unified, so you do not choose your own curriculum the way an independent homeschool does.
How to enroll
- Before you apply
Call or tour
Call Monte Vista at 805-579-6326 to ask about openings and schedule a private campus tour.
- Referral
Submit the referral form
The interest form is completed with a counselor or principal. Open enrollment is closed for 2026-27.
- After the referral
Meet the principal
The school schedules an appointment with the principal, and accepted students attend an orientation.
- At enrollment
Sign the contract
Both your student and a parent sign the independent study contract and paperwork.
- Each week
Attend the appointment
Your child reviews work, takes proctored tests, and previews assignments with the supervising teacher. High schoolers may attend alone after the first appointment each semester.
What it includes
Included
- District teaching materials
- A weekly supervising teacher
- AP and Honors classes and math and English labs
- Clubs, a MakerSpace, science labs, and a small farm
- Moorpark College dual enrollment
Not included
- Choosing your own curriculum
- Independent homeschool status while enrolled
- 2026-27 open enrollment
Monte Vista students also get on-campus enrichment, including clubs, foreign language classes, a 3D printer and robotics, and a Study Café for grades 7-12.
Good to know
Enrollment is closed this school year
Monte Vista says open enrollment is closed for 2026-27, so ask the office whether it keeps a list for a later term.
Who to contact about enrolling
Monte Vista's office at 1220 Fourth Street answers enrollment questions and schedules campus tours; Principal Kate Snowden leads the school.
kate.snowden@simivalleyusd.org 805-579-6326 Enrollment options
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
- Does a parent have to come to the weekly Monte Vista meeting?
- Yes, for kindergarten through 8th grade. High school students may come on their own after the first appointment each semester.
- Do high school courses count for college admission?
- Yes. Monte Vista's high school courses meet the A-G requirements for California State University and University of California admission.
- How many hours of work does my child do each week?
- At least 20 hours of academic work a week in grades K-5, 25 in grades 6-8, and 30 in grades 9-12.
Turn support into your child’s next lesson
College classes can cover part of high school. We teach the subjects your child needs alongside them, starting at the right level in each subject.
$149/month per child after the trial.
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