In Shasta County and across California, more parents than ever are choosing to homeschool their K-12 children or enroll them in private schools rather than send them to traditional public schools. The numbers tell a clear story: families are losing faith in the public system—and they’re acting on it.

California operates one of the most complex K-12 systems in the nation: the state Department of Education, 58 county offices of education (including Shasta County Office of Education - SCOE), and over 1,000 local districts—many tiny and rural. In Shasta County, there are 25 independent districts, plus SCOE, that serve about 26,000–27,000 students. Despite spending $billions, students are being left behind.

Reviving Classical Education in Modern California In an era where public education often grapples with standardized testing, shifting ideologies, and resource constraints, John Adams Academy, a Sacramento area public charter school, stands as a distinctive alternative. Why doesn't this exist in Shasta County?

Steve Hilton is running for Governor of California and made a passionate speech to the crowd at the Win-River Casino breakfast event on September 13th.