Anyone here used a home charter school for an accelerated student?

[Kay in Cal]

I'm in a quandry. We're moving to the San Diego area, and there don't seem to be the number of groups and resources we're used to for homeschoolers. Lots of folks seem to use charters there...

I'm not philosophically opposed to charters, and people always tout how flexible they are, you can use your own curriculum, etc... BUT... it comes down to that scope and sequence. I can never get anyone to answer what happens if the scope and sequence for a given year is so far behind your child to be laughable... but you are supposed to "teach" those subjects. Is it all just covering paperwork? Has anyone found a charter willing (or not) to deal with a highly asynchronous child?

[allearia]

We are using one and it has been absolutely no problem to use whatever materials and level we need. Our teacher we meet with once a month enjoys seeing everything my son does and doesn't even give any suggestions or mention a scope and sequence. Of course he is just first grade age but that is not much different than your son I if I remember correctly. We give a work sample every month in math, social studies, language arts, and science, and I tell her all the topics we cover (or whatever I can remember) and the materials we are using. It doesn't matter to her that they are well above grade level, or that we are studying ancient history in detail instead of community helpers or whatever the heck they would do in first grade public school. He will have to start doing the standardized testing next year when he is 2nd grade age but I don't have a problem with that.

The only one I wouldn't recommend is the California Virtual Academy that uses K12 - nothing wrong with the materials as far as I know but I think they are a lot stricter about what levels, how much work the kid needs to do each day, etc. Our charter is called FAME but I doubt they would have the same one down there.

[Wildiris]

We've used an independent study charter school for seven years in Northern California. At no time has a scope and sequence been imposed on our learning goals. Yes, we have been reminded of the California State Standards and encouraged to participate in the yearly STAR test so the school can remain in operation. Like the previous poster, the interaction with the independent study teacher is a straight forward once a month accounting of what we've done accompanied by work samples. I appreciate the freedom of choosing my curriculum which allows the kids to move at their own pace, which is accelerated.

[Kay in Cal]

Ok, I talked on the phone to one of the "educational facilitators"--you meet one time a month and bring work examples. She is familiar with WTM--used it to homeschool her own children. I told her everything we are using, and she thinks it sounds great. The only vendor we currently use who is not on their list is EPGY--and I've seen them at other schools as a vendor, so we should be able to work that out.

She assured me that the 4 year history cycle is just fine, we can adjust all expectations to thier level, and continue with what we have planned. The minimums are aimed more at people who are under-educating thier children, not to keep other kids from moving beyond them. She then said that "the main job of the educational facilitator will be to help you report what you are already doing in a way that will meet state requirements." Perfect. $700 a year per child to spend, plus books, plus free sports... we're going to try it. If I can truly do my own thing with minimum adjustment I'm happy to go charter. I'm going to ask for her specifically as my faciltator.

[Targhee]

Ours is not a charter school (WA state doesn't have any), but considered an Alternative Learning Program. For all intents and purposes though, it is a charter umbrella school. What is great about ours is, even though it is a public school, we write the student's learning plan and can therefor include whatever levels we think are appropriate for our students. You do get help from a teacher when needed. For example, my DD is working above grade level in reading, spelling, but at grade level for writing - she's working way above grade level for math, but actually below grade level for penmanship. I really like our situation ;) much more flexible than the K12 virtual academy.

Hope you find what you need - I think we all know how important, as parents, it is to find what is best for your child.

[newbie]

Kay,

I used a charter years ago, but I cant remember what they used. It was Greater San Diego Academy. They might be pretty flexible. I used to meet w/them once a mo. They are based in Jamul but have students all over the county.

I think I also used Grace Christian, I know they used materials that are mentioned here quite frequently. I think I used to pay for them. That was when the girls were little. They are more central San Diego

Hope helps. Like I said before, I still havent found anything in San Diego that meets our needs , we do Icademy and Veritas Press this coming yr.

[samba2nite]

Okay please fess up northern CA posters. Where are your charter schools and what are their names...and how did you find them?

samba in sac

[Pamela H in Texas]

I can never get anyone to answer what happens if the scope and sequence for a given year is so far behind your child to be laughable... but you are supposed to "teach" those subjects.

ANY class can be altered to the child's level:

1st grade says major body systems and senses. Now, when they say that, they are thinking that a kid knows ears are for hearing, eyes for seeing, stomach and tongue is part of digestive system, and bones are part of the skeletal system. But that doesn't mean you couldn't do as much as a college level anatomy and physiology course if it were more appropriate for your child.

Same with math: It says addition and subtraction, you use 5 digit numbers or polynomials instead of facts up to 10.

Same with reading, grammar, etc. Just step it up to the level kid needs it. If your kid is ready to diagram sentences and read Shakespeare, you cover the same basic information, just on an appropriate level.

I don't know anything whatsoever about charter schools but if they are just giving you a basic scope and sequence and such, it definitely seems you could easily do high school level for your 2nd grader.

Now if they have curriculum to use, they may ask you to show proficiency through the curriculum in order to move up or move on. And they could have a limit to how many grades a kid could do in a year. But...

Anyway, but I definitely think most things can be adapted when done from home.