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Charter Schools in Orange County, CA


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Sorry to keep pestering everyone with my questions! As I mentioned previously I recently moved to Orange County, and I am trying to figure out how to legally homeschool. I would probably prefer to file with a PSP, but I am trying to research all of the options.

 

If you school through a Charter School, do you have to follow the California scope and sequence? I looked at the 5th grade history requirements, and they aren't even close to what we are studying in history. I am starting to panic that I am going to have to change all of our curriculum or that someone will determine we are "behind". I met with CHEP, and the teacher thought that probably wouldn't be a good fit because I already had all my materials. I know Charter Schools allow more flexibility in choosing your own curriculum; however, many of the things we are studying do not match the state requirements.

 

Also, when I was reading the list at Julien Charter School, it was daunting. Maybe there is a disconnect between what I think they mean and what they actually mean. Someone of the items seemed much higher level thinking than what I would expect from a 5th grader. Do they have to take a huge final at the end of the year demonstrating all of their knowledge, or is it just pass a chapter test with one sentence answers? How big is the research paper the student is expected to write? I moved from a very good school district and worked with many, many different students over the years. I maybe had one student in 5th grade that could have told me what an appositive was. Fortunately, we have learned that with Rod & Staff and MCT. Are the California schools that accelerated?

 

I would love any words of wisdom and encouragement! I am starting to feel desperate, and I truly feel like I have failed my son.

 

Many thanks!

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I am with a charter school in California. They are very lenient towards the standards. They give you a copy of them, and it is not something they have to do, but they would like you too. But they also want you to be in their charter more. I have combined all my kids for history and writing and the charter is fine with that.

I will say, each educational specialist that you get are diffferent. I have a good relationship with mine and she sees I am not grabbing and selling items on ebay or craigslist.

I buy my own Science and it is Christian, but they are okay with that!

Welcome to California!!:D

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I am registered with Sky Mountain, and it is a great school. You receive $1800.00 a year to buy curriculum and pay for classes. You meet with an ES once a month to discuss what your child has learned and to turn in work samples. Your children will take two tests (Scantron and STAR) and they will have to complete a writing sample every year. The work they complete has to meet the standards, but not necessarily the standards for their grade. My children are using MCT and LOF, and we are having no trouble with meeting the standards.

 

Hope that helps.

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We're with Sky Mountain too and I LOVE it!!!! I still have one foot in the door at K12 (for my ds10) but after this year, all of our children will be with Sky Mountain. It's very flexible and they have been super accommodating to my son's special needs.

 

Here is the website to get more info if you'd like :)

 

http://www.skymountaincs.org/

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I do not charter school, but I am familiar with the laws about them. This is a good place to start: http://www.californiahomeschool.net/howTo/legOpt.htm

 

You could continue to do exactly what you were doing and just file your own affidavit. http://www.californiahomeschool.net/howTo/psa.htm

 

The Private School Affidavit may be filed online at the California Department of Education website from October 1st to October 15th of every year. Schools that are created after the filing period should file at the time the school is established. The CDE usually leaves the form up until early spring.

 

I would not jump into anything you are not completely happy with right away since you can legally establish yourself as a private school. This will give you some time to check out your options.

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