I was told that there was a great Charter in my area, free of charge, curriculum provided, resourceful people at my finger tips, all I have to do is meet with a Independent Studies worker once a month to go over work and receive more. Is this to good to be true? Is it just glorified public school? As you can see, I know nothing about Charter. My boys are young, and will be starting "Kindergarden" soon and I'm toward on the rout to go. Does anyone have to advice for a mama just starting out?
Are you talking about a cyber charter school? I'm going to assume you are. I have never dealt with one personally, but I know several people who have used them. I know 2 families that love it. Neither of them ever did traditional homeschooling (you know, where parents doing all the planning and paperwork). So that sort of indicates that it might work for you too. I have known other families that have used it and stopped after one year, or continue to use it but gripe about how the child is stuck missing out on homeschooling group days because they have to attend a "class" at a certain time. One person I know described cyber schools as "the worst of both worlds" because you still have to do so much of the teaching yourself, but you don't get to choose the curriculum. Good luck with whatever you decide.
No, not cyber Charter. It's an actual charter school in my town. It's a school, with homeschool, and Indipendant Studies options. I don't think I am the parent that can make up cariculum. I'd like to find cariculum that works for us all, but I get the feeling that maybe the Charter School gives you THEIR list to choose from. I'm also not sure if I can choose a Christian based cariculum. Wasn't sure if others had general info as I know all Charters are prob different. They have a night that parents can go ask questions, but I thought I'd also ask around.
Most people I've heard of hasn't had it work out. I know my sil had trouble, because her children had to work at the charter's speed. One of hers was having difficulty, and then got sick. She was told to just "double up" until he caught up. This for a child who was having difficulty to begin with!!! I'm not saying they're all like that. Maybe this will be a good thing for you. But consider carefully WHY you are homeschooling. Is it to provide a good Christian basis for learning? If so, you won't be able to do that with a charter. If it's to educate your children in a safe environment, that you CAN do. Or it may be a totally different reason.
It's been my experience that nothing is truly "free". Make sure you're getting the whole story, and be prepared to jump through hoops to meet their standards.
I did use a charter earlier this year with my dd. I was able to pick any non-christian based curriculum I wanted and they purchased it for me. My dd had to sign up to take at least 1 class from the school too. I chose the online art class for her. She got bored so quickly and started to complained a lot. It had to all be done at the schools pace even though they said it didn't. She also ended up not liking the curriculum either. After the first semester I pulled her out and she has been doing really well. i won't go the charter school route again because I didn't like the lack of flexibility. The charter schooI we were going through is ranked as the 2nd top charter school in the state. I think the biggest problem is because they are publicly funded they still have to follow certain state rules because if they are audited they are held accountable for even the homeschoolers education (those who are enrolled with them.)
Why do you want to homeschool? If you do not mind a school-at-home setting and your children learn well with traditional methods, then a charter might work for you. If the idea of operating as your own private school is appealing to you, then a charter most likely will not work for you. There is no right or wrong when choosing what to use for your children. It is a matter of what will be in their and your best interest. While it might make it easier on you, their learning style should be considered as well. Something to note is that the state calls school-at-home "homeschooling" in order to draw in more people who desire to homeschool. However, it is completely different than homeschooling. This is why charter "homeschoolers" do not have to file with the state and private homeschoolers do have to file a yearly affidavit. They are not the same thing. Charter students are as much a part of the public system as a public school student. Again, it will depend on why you want to homeschool. What are you looking for?
From what you have shared, it sounds like your children will be doing independent study and not homeschooling, even if the charter tries to pass it off as homeschooling. If it is like most charters, the charter will give you a list of publishers to choose from so you will still be left having to choose. Even if the worker chooses for you, there is no guarantee it work for your children. No, state funds are not allowed to be use on Christian curriculum. You are correct that all charters are different. Some are in school only. The classes are smaller. It is like a mini public school. Then you have charters that are online, school-at-home, and some offer many options. The one thing they all have in common is that they are state funded and require the parent to follow their rules and complete the work in their timing. I know a lot of people who have tried charters and most dropped them after a year. I know a couple people who like them and this is alright too.
I'm curious to know which charter school it is that you are thinking about joining. I'm in Central California, and we have used both Horizons and Visions. We are currently with Visions, but both of them work basically the same way. You pick out your curriculum and they pay for it. You can use Christian curriculum (we use Christian science, history, and language arts programs), but you have to pay for it yourself. Also, when you turn in a sample, it cannot have Christian content. So you would have to be a little creative in what you turn in if you are using mostly Christian curriculum. I, personally, do not like charter schools at all. The only benefit I can see is the funds we get to use for secular crriculum and extracurricular activities (my son does ceramics and gymnastics, both of which Visions pays for completely). I would prefer to go private, but my husband really wants my son to stay in ceramics and gymnastics, and there is no way we could afford to pay for it ourselves. I have chosen to submit to my husband on this and just suck it up and deal with it. Lots of people, though, are very happy with the charter schools. You'll just have to weigh out the pros and cons.
Wow, thank you for the clarity! What I really want is the opportunity to homeschool using curriculum that works with my children, and the right to twitch it up if needed. I want them to work at their own pace, take linger if needed, or whiz through if able. I want to use Christian based material or a mix of my choice. I don't want to be pressured to enroll in classes unless I see it fit for my kids. It sounds like Charter may not be for us. Thank you all.
This is another difference between charters. Not all charters offer extra activities. My sister is in a charter and all they offer is music with the teacher of their choice; the schools choice.
My sister is also allowed to use Christian material but the charter does not pay for it and she isn't allowed to list it as curriculum used. It would be above and beyond the work her children already are required to cover and they do not receive credit for it anyways. It just adds to the work load.
It's called forest charter. I looked at the website and of corse is all glammed up... I'm not not familiar with the sugar coated realities. It's an actual school with the option to HS. http://www.forestcharter.com/domain/66
