I wanted to do Connections academy for my one child because I like Calvert and much of their curriculum is based on it. I am not made of money so I thought this would be a good route. HOWEVER, I received their paperwork and the questions they ask...I am offended. A lot of this stuff are things I either have not had to answer in the past when children have been in public school or I at least had the option to check that I decline to answer. For example, it asks our income. It wants us to individually list every single household member and what each person makes..it looks more like welfare paperwork. These are the public schools which we are entitled to regardless of income, so why should I fill that stuff out and mail in copies of tax returns and paychecks? Then there is a race questionaire..with no option to check that you decline to answer. What does the color of mine or my children's skin have to do with public school? Then they wanted information on all my children, including ones not enrolled, including their social security numbers. I know the public school does ask you to list your child on the paperwork, but it never asks birthdates or social security numbers there and I always declined to list anyone that I was not enrolling and it was never an issue. I called them about this and the people who answer the phone, I have called twice now, sound like they have no clue what they are talking about. I asked to be transferred to someone who actually deals with this paperwork and they said I am not allowed to speak to anyone but them until they receive all the paperwork. Oh, and they also want copies of our insurance cards and all the info there. Even the public school did not ask for that information. Since the children would be on property, they did have a place to provide name of doctor we prefer, but we were not required to give it. This is an entire page to fill out insurance and billing information. Oh, and under vaccinations, instead of just including the state exemption form, which I have, they also claim that I have to include an explanation of why I am exempt, what my beliefs are? What would you think of this?
Personally..I wouldn't do it. That's just to much information to give to people that I wouldn't know. Why do they need proof of income? I never had to do that with our Charter school. The only thing I ever got questioned on was about how much I work and can I devote enough time to my kids. In which, my dh and I both work with the kids and he's at home at night when I'm at work. It satisfied them that we were serious about using their school. In my opinion, if you are already uncomfortable with the way things are going it's probably your instincts saying no and it may not be the best solution for your family. Good luck with whatever you decide.
I'm not sure if all the cybers are like that... but I sure wouldn't be game to give out all that info. Every year we think of going cyber... but then I think where would that get me, it's just public school at home... heck you can't even take vacation in the middle of the school year unless you get permission... and having the say over our own kids is part of why we chose to homeschool to begin with.
Requesting all that information does sound too intrusive to me. My guess is that most of that information is for demographic purposes so they can get a profile the students attending their school. Their website states the following in the FAQ section: Are Connections Academy schools non-profit? Connections Academy schools are operated under contract to non-profit organizations that are either charter schools, school districts, or governmental entities. Since they receive monies from these organizations, they probably are required to provide information on their students who would otherwise be enrolled in public school. If you are really that uncomfortable with all the disclosure required, call again and demand (in a nice way) to speak to someone about it. They probably receive funding for each student that attends; so if your children do not attend, they lose out on some $ - perhaps that will be incentive for them to explain all this to you.
I wonder if they created a "set form" to match all the school districts they work with. Some might request that information - others don't. But nope - wouldn't do it There are enough academy type schools out there that don't ask anything. I went to register for Seton (it's Catholic) to see what they required and it just asked basic info and boom - done.
The applications sounds way to personal to me. I agree with the other women here on the boards. Kind of creepy.
