Popular Post bethben Posted June 11, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted June 11, 2015 We recently moved 1000 miles away because #1, we were sick of icy Minnesota winters, and #2, my husband was unemployed and didn't want to continue commuting over an hour one way in icy Minnesota winters. We also were in a small town and I really needed some sort of change in our homeschool routine to make room for me to breathe a little. We are now living 20 minutes from the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Last week, I signed my two youngest up at a charter school that has a one day a week homeschool academy on the side. They will get taught art history/art, music theory, IEW writing, do a messy science lab, and get a PE that teaches skills. My 5th grader will be taught how to write and present a research paper. After the director showed me around, she got out a form and asked me what I was using for next year. So, I told her and she asked if I had it already or needed it. Basically, she is ordering all the non-religious curriculum for us for the next year! An almost complete Sonlight core (without the TM which I am getting used anyway), handwriting workbooks, All About Spelling, an IEW workbook for my son, and math workbooks for my daughter. I am sitting there like this: :ohmy: And the best part? I pay a $10 lab fee for each kid and bring two reams of paper. The other best part? I can volunteer, but I DON'T HAVE TO SIT THERE ALL DAY! It's the classical education electives I was never able to get to and I can have a day to breathe. It's not a fluffy co-op where they're teaching fluffy fun stuff to say our kids are being socialized, it's really helping me to homeschool. I am looking forward to seeing how this turns out! 57 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TarynB Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 Yay! That sounds great! :hurray: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arliemaria Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 I think if something like that was available everywhere... I can't even imagine. Wow! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 Oh.my.goodness. How utterly awesome is that? Wow. I am doing a happy dance for you bethben! :party: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmandaVT Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 Wow....can we come live with you guys? :-) 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hellen Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 I was about to ask if you moved to Colorado when I reread your post and saw that you were in the foothill of the Rockies. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiMi 4under3 Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 Jackpot indeed!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelli Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 Colorado has some of the most amazing opportunities for homeschoolers that I've ever seen. I have quite a few close homeschool friends in Colorado and the stuff they talk about their kids getting to do makes me so green with jealousy that it's not even funny. Congrats to you and your family! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaConquest Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 It is wonderful, and a real blessing for many families. We have similar charters here in California, and it has been a great program for us. Just be prepared for the fingerwaggers who insist that you are no longer a *real* homeschooler. Eyeroll. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawthorne44 Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 I could deal with a lot of fingerwaving for that chance. 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arliemaria Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 Is this something that the State Department of Education funds? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefgazer Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 WooHoo! Are you sure it isn't a dream and you're going to wake up soon? I should move there just for the "I don't have to sit there" rule! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bethben Posted June 11, 2015 Author Share Posted June 11, 2015 Is this something that the State Department of Education funds? Yes, that was the big question after she started loading my sheet with my curriculum order. "Who pays for this?!?!" The state of Colorado. I know there are a lot of people who suggest you not let the public school get involved in any way financially with homeschoolers because they will eventually regulated homeschoolers more. In my way of thinking, it's not money that goes to homeschoolers that will cost us more regulation, it's the non-schoolers that seem to get themselves in the media limelight. There are those that go to these charter schools that count this one day enrichment as their whole school week. Then they wonder why, when they go to enroll their kids in the public school, that they are considered a year behind. :banghead: . 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 Hurray! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaConquest Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 Yes, that was the big question after she started loading my sheet with my curriculum order. "Who pays for this?!?!" The state of Colorado. I know there are a lot of people who suggest you not let the public school get involved in any way financially with homeschoolers because they will eventually regulated homeschoolers more. In my way of thinking, it's not money that goes to homeschoolers that will cost us more regulation, it's the non-schoolers that seem to get themselves in the media limelight. There are those that go to these charter schools that count this one day enrichment as their whole school week. Then they wonder why, when they go to enroll their kids in the public school, that they are considered a year behind. :banghead: . Despite the naysayers, I think that you will find this becoming more and more common. The future of a la carte schooling is here: http://www.nationalreview.com/article/419438/nevada-enacts-universal-school-choice I am glad that you are able to find something that works so well for your family. I hope others soon have similar choices in their states. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HS Mom in NC Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 Here's the link to the charter school enrichment program homeschoolers here (the greater PHX area) have access to: http://www.mpsaz.org/EAGLERIDGE One thing to consider is that they do standardized testing. Of course, anyone can opt out of standardized testing, but understand opting out will reflect negatively on the school's academic statistics. No one is quite sure how that might affect their charter in the future. The principal sent home a very reasonable letter to the parents pointing out that they did accept the taxpayer funded education the school provides and standardized testing is a way to account to the taxpayers for how well the school is using their funds to educate students. He strongly encouraged them to take the standardized test. I think he's right. If you don't want to account to the taxpayers, don't take their money.Outsourcing in all its forms is a great option for homeschoolers; they should just understand exactly what they're doing and why when they sign up. I think eventually these increased choices will benefits all forms of current and future schooling options. Choices are good for everyone. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arliemaria Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 I suspect there will be a homeschool stampede to Nevada. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourisenough Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 That sounds wonderful (especially the part about escaping the Minnesota winters). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bethben Posted June 11, 2015 Author Share Posted June 11, 2015 One thing to consider is that they do standardized testing. Of course, anyone can opt out of standardized testing, but understand opting out will reflect negatively on the school's academic statistics. No one is quite sure how that might affect their charter in the future. The principal sent home a very reasonable letter to the parents pointing out that they did accept the taxpayer funded education the school provides and standardized testing is a way to account to the taxpayers for how well the school is using their funds to educate students. He strongly encouraged them to take the standardized test. I think he's right. If you don't want to account to the taxpayers, don't take their money. Outsourcing in all its forms is a great option for homeschoolers; they should just understand exactly what they're doing and why when they sign up. I think eventually these increased choices will benefits all forms of current and future schooling options. Choices are good for everyone. This charter homeschool also does standardized testing. It is law anyway that we have to do testing on the odd school years in Colorado. The test scores are mailed to the parent and the parent is responsible to send them to the proper place for safe-keeping. I am used to doing this in Minnesota every year anyway AND paying for it. Now, I don't have to pay for that either! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelli Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 Despite the naysayers, I think that you will find this becoming more and more common. The future of a la carte schooling is here: http://www.nationalreview.com/article/419438/nevada-enacts-universal-school-choice I am glad that you are able to find something that works so well for your family. I hope others soon have similar choices in their states. That is an amazing idea!!! I wish, wish, wish that something like that would show up in Texas, but I'm not holding my breath. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space station Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 Congrats! It sounds great (all except the escaping winter part- I'd have a mutiny on my hands here if we left the Western Wisconsin winters behind)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue daisy Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 I'm doubly jealous. Not only does that school option sound lovely, but I am still stuck with icy MN winters!! Lol 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alisoncooks Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 Wow! I am so jealous!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rebcoola Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 We use a similar program here in Washington it is amazing!! Yes we have to test but that is required here anyway and their is no stress about scoring well just that you take it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 That sounds wonderful. I misread the Rocky Mountain part and thought it said Smokies. I was pretty sure I could get my husband to move just a little further south. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eternalsummer Posted June 11, 2015 Share Posted June 11, 2015 We plan a move this summer (in 6 weeks!) to Colorado Springs - we're signed up for a one day a week program at a Waldorf=inspired charter school there (also for homeschoolers). It's an awesome city, I'm excited. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxbridgeacademy Posted June 12, 2015 Share Posted June 12, 2015 We considered moving to Colorado for just that reason. But I can't hack any more cold winters so I'm aiming for a more Southerly move. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serenade Posted June 12, 2015 Share Posted June 12, 2015 Despite the naysayers, I think that you will find this becoming more and more common. The future of a la carte schooling is here: http://www.nationalreview.com/article/419438/nevada-enacts-universal-school-choice I am glad that you are able to find something that works so well for your family. I hope others soon have similar choices in their states. Wow! Although I doubt NC will ever do anything like that. It's awesome for those who can take advantage of it, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobeatenpath Posted June 12, 2015 Share Posted June 12, 2015 I have to say, I am always amazed at some of the HS opportunities in the US - it is really inspiring (especially when you have just left a country that is fantastic but homeschool is illegal, and moved to a country where it is a grey area and NO-ONE seems to homeschool past age 7 or 8). Best wishes for an awesome, awesome school year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenniferB Posted June 12, 2015 Share Posted June 12, 2015 Wowzers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bethben Posted June 12, 2015 Author Share Posted June 12, 2015 We considered moving to Colorado for just that reason. But I can't hack any more cold winters so I'm aiming for a more Southerly move. They have snow here, but it melts within a couple of days or so I'm told. I guess people's definition of cold winter is relative. For us, cold winter means not being able to let the kids go outside because they will literally freeze their face within 20 minutes of exposure, never seeing snow melt from November to March, and pausing at stop signs if there is no one else there because you really don't know if you're going to be able to stop or get going again because of ice. My kids never got the play in snow experience of making snow men or throwing snow balls because it was too cold to pack snow most of the time. They made forts out of snow blocks they cut from the frozen mass. We left that kind of cold winter. YAY! Snow can visit every once in a while, but it just won't stick around. And, a snow covered Pike's Peak is always a nice sight. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom22ns Posted June 12, 2015 Share Posted June 12, 2015 Despite the naysayers, I think that you will find this becoming more and more common. The future of a la carte schooling is here: http://www.nationalreview.com/article/419438/nevada-enacts-universal-school-choice "As of next year, parents in Nevada can have 90 percent (100 percent for children with special needs and children from low-income families) of the funds that would have been spent on their child in their public school deposited into a restricted-use spending account. That amounts to between $5,100 and $5,700 annually, according to the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice. Those funds are deposited quarterly onto a debit card, which parents can use to pay for a variety of education-related services and products — things such as private-school tuition, online learning, special-education services and therapies, books, tutors, and dual-enrollment college courses." Wow. Just wow. I know there are plenty of people who are afraid of government involvement in homeschooling, but I would be all in, in a heartbeat. There are all kinds of opportunities we could have taken advantage of if this had been available. My youngest will be a senior next year and I'm paying dual-enrollment fees out of my pocket and this would cover it all! 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawthorne44 Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 It looks like that won't be me since I am a current homeschooler. :( I have been researching this bill and the only way I can get funds is to sign my kids up for ps for 100 days. The original bill included ALL school age children. Now I'm waiting to see what happens. The amazing thing is that the money rolls over. I couldn't dream of spending $5k per child so when high school rolls around they'll have a nice chunk of savings for private school or the honeschool high school I dreamed of affording with oldest. It will be an awesome opportunity for some new homeschool umbrella private/charter schools here like the OP as participating private schools recieve funds as well. There are not enough private or charter schools here to be able to accept everyone. I wonder if it could roll over into college? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happypamama Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Once upon a time, we considered a move out that way, and I was totally intrigued by that charter school once a week deal. Congrats on making the move! We do have some a la carte options here, in that we can take one, two, or more classes at the public school if we choose. But I don't really see it being very feasible, partly because it'd be daily, and partly because it's public school materials (which could vary, I know; they could be good, and they might not be what I want). I do feel that it's a good option to encourage, though. I am very pro school choice and a la carte schooling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawthorne44 Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 No. Any unused amount goes back to the state when the student graduates high school. Oh, well then, I think I could figure out ways to spend the money. First year it would probably mostly go to Amazon if that was allowed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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