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HOW HOMESCHOOL CHARTERS WORK

NOTE: It is recommended to get on 2-3 waitlists. They need to hire new teachers before enrolling new students. No telling if this will take 2 weeks or 2 months.

 

There are many types of charter schools that homeschoolers use. When we talk about charters, we are usually not talking about a school with a building. Some charters like K12, CAVA, Connections, Kaplan, etc., are completely online. Most typical homeschoolers prefer the charters that offer funds. These "homeschool charters" or independent study programs allow families to select their own curriculum and/or pay for classes, lessons, and educational materials.

 

How Do Homeschool Charters Work?

 

  • Homeschool charters are free to join

  • You can join any charter that is authorized to operate in your county

  • Homeschool charters usually don't have a campus

  • You don't have to be in the same city as the charter offices

  • You are assigned a teacher that is usually local to you

  • You meet with your teacher every 20 school days- often called the learning period. This works out to about once a month

  • You will turn in samples of your child's work monthly. Some charters ask for two samples a month, others ask for four.

  • Some schools allow you to upload samples online

  • Most homeschool charters allow you to choose the curriculum. It must be secular, though.

  • Most charters allow you to choose an educational approach such as classical, Waldorf, Montessori, etc.

  • Most of the popular homeschool charters provide funds to pay for secular curriculum, classes, lessons, field trips, and/or tutors

  • You do not get the funds directly. You have an instructional fund account with the school and make purchase requests.

  • They require standardized testing and often have additional assessments during the year

  • The charter may ask for a learning plan at the beginning of the year or at the beginning of the learning period

How To Choose A Charter

 

  • In general, charters are pretty similar: you are assigned a teacher, you get funding, and you turn in work samples.

  • The differences might be:

    • The exact amount of funds- some are $2600/yr, others are $3000

    • How many samples are required at each meeting (once a month)? Some might ask for two samples/month, others ask for four/month

    • Does the teacher also want to see all your work for the month?

    • Do you have to provide a learning plan at the beginning of the year or each learning period?

    • Where will standardized testing be held?

    • Does the charter have a learning center near you? (Only iLead and Springs have centers in Costa Mesa and Santa Ana) These are not the same as the independent learning centers in many local cities.

    • Do they have alot of vendors near you?

    • Is there a certain vendor you want to use? Which charters do they work with?

    • Is it easy to add vendors?

    • Do they have a lending library?

    • If there is a specific homeschool approach or curriculum you want to use, ask if that is acceptable.

    • Ask about special services if you need those.

  • More than the charter, your homeschooling experience will be determined by your teacher

    • Do you need someone to hold your hand?

    • Do you need someone who knows a lot about homeschooling curriculum?

    • Do you need someone who will step back and just answer questions when you have them?

    • Can you pick your teacher?

    • Can you talk to the teacher you will be assigned to?

  • Finally, ask others for a teacher recommendation. A teacher who is a good fit with your family may be more important than the specific charter.

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