While the kids are enjoying all that summer has to offer, parents are often gearing up for the start of the school year. This is often true in the homeschool world, as well, especially if you're planning to homeschool through an Independent Study Public Charter School.
Most Independent Study Charter Schools follow a school calendar similar to traditional public schools, with varying start times throughout August and September. If you've been accepted into a school, they may have processed your enrollment and you're ready to start ordering curriculum and getting everything lined up to start on time. If you're on a waitlist for a school you may be researching curriculum to be ready to order if/when you're accepted into the school.
Do yourself a big favor, before you execute a purchase or start planning your student's lesson plans, take a few minutes to be sure you're knowledgeable about what the school requires of you, and that you're comfortable with your assigned teacher. Read on for more tips and information.
ASK QUESTIONS OF THE SCHOOL TO GET MORE INFORMATION
Whether this is your first time homeschooling through a charter, or not, we highly recommend you read Windi's list of Helpful Questions for Families to Ask Charters They are Considering.
You are allowed to ask questions to learn more about the school you're considering for your child - we highly encourage you to do so! In our experience, this is not something only new families benefit from hearing. Many experienced homeschooling families who've been privately homeschooling and are planning to homeschool through an Independent Study Charter School for the first time have limited interaction and engagement with the school. They might feel protective of their family, unsure about what to expect from the experience, or maybe the school has been very minimal with their communication in the beginning. All of this can lead families to feel somewhat removed and hands-off with their school and assigned teacher. The more you know about what to expect from the school, and the more you reveal your preferences and needs to the school's staff, the better chance you have of enjoying a successful homeschooling experience with them.
ASK QUESTIONS OF INDEPENDENT STUDY CHARTER HOMESCHOOL PARENTS IN YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA GROUPS
Consider joining independent study/homeschool charter school Facebook groups where you can candidly ask questions and talk with other families about their school experience.
We run a group called the CA Homeschool Charter School Info Group on Facebook, with over seven thousand families. It's a very active group. Families ask and help answer questions for other members every day. It's a great way to get connected. We are not affiliated or sponsored by any school, the group is independently run, by us, homeschooling parents. :)
RESEARCH ALL OF YOUR EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS
If you don't like the answers and information that you get from the school, then please know that there are other options! View our List of California Independent Study Charter Schools (sorted by county) to find other schools in your area to look into and contact. Even if you're already registered and enrolled, or have chosen a school and are on a waitlist, you can still ask these questions of the school.
If you're unsure about continuing on with an independent study charter school you're enrolled in, please know you can easily withdraw, find another school, or consider other legal paths of homeschooling, such as private homeschooling, and private homeschooling with the help of an umbrella school/Private School Satellite Program (PSP).
CONSIDER EDUCATIONAL/SCHOOL CHOICE CONSULTING IF YOU NEED HELP RESEARCHING YOUR OPTIONS AND FINDING THE RIGHT FIT
We offer a specialized form of consulting, for families looking for help finding the right independent study charter school, or another alternative school. We have over 10 years of experience working within independent study charter schools, as well as over 15 years as charter school parents, including experience graduating two students from independent study charter schools in California. We are happy to share that expertise with you through educational and school choice consulting.
Please visit our Consulting page for more information. We currently have a Back-to-School special going on for $99 for (4) one-hour sessions, and we also have single sessions available, for $50 per hour.
Happy Homeschooling, everyone! It's going to be a great year! :)