Parents who are interested in combining traditional and homeschooling while still providing their children with an accredited, quality education have an ever increasing array of options available to them. Recently, a variety of schools that allow parents to send their children a couple of days a week and homeschool the other days have been gaining a lot of popularity. Therefore, in order to research whether one of these types of school is the best fit for your family, here are 15 questions you should consider.
1. What type of accreditation does the school possess?
Accreditation is a key factor when considering any school, including the kind mentioned in this article. When researching a school, it is important to make sure that it is accredited by an agency that is recognized by the state and/or the federal government. Accreditation ensures that the school you are considering meets nationally and state-wide standards for educational attainment and quality.
When researching for accreditation, look for the school to possess multiple levels of accreditation. If the school is accredited by a regional or state association, it is a good indicator of the quality of the school.
Additionally, if the school is accredited by the National Accreditation Council, it is another signal that the school is meeting standardized high-level criteria.
2. Are there any additional programs offered by the school?
Beyond the main educational program being offered, many of the schools that offer one to three days a week and home-school the rest will often offer supplemental or extracurricular activities, classes, and programs. It is important to research and consider any additional programming that is available.
In particular, you should investigate if the school offers any programs or activities such as music, art, sports, technology, robotics, robotics, or other educational experiences. Depending on your child’s individual interests, any additional programming may be an important factor in considering a school. Additionally, many times these types of schools offer a variety of field trips and opportunities for children to engage outside of the classroom.
3. Does the school offer multiple levels of instruction?
Many of the schools that are flexible and permit children to attend one to three days a week and homeschool the rest will usually offer instruction at multiple grade levels. Inquiring about the grade-level instruction a school provides is important to get an understanding of the curriculum and overall educational goals the school has in place. Additionally, you should inquire about the level at which teachers provide instruction.
If the school offers instruction at multiple grade levels, make sure to ask how teachers differentiate instruction to better meet the individual learning needs of each student. Knowing how instruction is differentiated is important to ensure that students receive quality instruction appropriate for their level.
4. How does the school handle assessment and grading?
Grading and assessment are essential components to determine student progress and instruction level. Therefore, it is important that schools include measures in place to ensure that students are getting their proper grading and assessment.
When researching a school, consider inquiring about the grading system that is in use. Additionally, look into any assessment measures that are in place. This can include tests, projects, report cards, memos, and other forms of assessment.
It is also important to ensure that the measures of assessment are appropriate to the age level of the student and that the school is organized in communicating student performance to parents.
5. What is the teacher-student ratio?
Apart from the assessment measures and grading system, another important inquiry when researching schools is the teacher-student ratio in the classroom. For students to receive quality instruction and proper guidance, it is important to make sure that the classroom is not overcrowded.
Generally, depending on the age-level of students, it is usually recommended to have a classroom ratio of 12:1 or lower. Additionally, you should research how qualified the teachers are. Make sure to look into the teacher’s credentials and/or degrees, as well as classroom experience in order to get an understanding of the quality of instruction your child will be receiving.
6. What online learning resources does the school provide?
A major component of hybrid schools is the use of online learning resources and technologies. Therefore, if you are considering a school that permits one to three days a week and homeschools the rest, it is important to research what online technologies the school provides to students.
These resources and technologies are essential for students to have access to interactive and engaging course material, projects, and lessons. Additionally, having access to online curriculum and activities allows students to have the chance to continue learning beyond the classroom. Therefore, making sure a school provides access to quality, up-to-date online resources and technologies is important.
7. Are there any additional fees or costs associated with the school?
One of the major considerations when selecting a school for one to three days a week and homeschooling the rest is the cost associated with attending the school. Most schools will have tuition, special fees, and other costs associated. When researching a school, it is important to consider the school’s fee and tuition structure.
Additionally, make sure to inquire about any additional fees or costs that may be associated with the school. This can include administrative fees, technology fees, or fees associated with any extracurricular activities, field trips, or additional programming that the school offers.
8. Does the school offer any support or guidance for homeschooling?
As mentioned before, a large part of hybrid schooling involves some components of homeschooling. Thus, it is important to research the level of support the school provides to students and parents.
When researching a school, inquire about any available support and guidance that is intended to help parents in providing instruction to their children. This can include guidance for activities and content, as well as helpful resources and materials that parents can use. Additionally, seeing what type of consultation and/or support services are available from teachers and administrators can be beneficial when looking to provide quality instruction outside the classroom.
9. Are there any specific methods of instruction used in the classroom?
When considering a hybrid school, it is important to research what type of instructional methods are used in the classroom. Typically, hybrid schools offer different methods of instruction in order to best meet the learning needs of each student.
For example, inquiry-driven or project-based learning are two common methods of instruction in hybrid classrooms. Inquiry-driven learning encourages students to ask questions and develop hypotheses in order to learn, while project-based learning has students take a hands-on approach to their education. Additionally, technology is often integrated into instruction in order to provide students with additional opportunities to engage and learn on an individual level.
10. Is there a virtual component to the school?
A virtual component is an extremely important element of a hybrid school. These types of schools rely on online resources, platforms, and technologies in order to best serve student needs.
Therefore, it is essential to make sure that there is a strong virtual component that is integral to the school. For example, a school should have an easy-to-navigate web portal for parents to access gradebooks and student records, as well as a learning school where students will have access to online course material and resources. Additionally, if the school provides homeschool guidance and/or support, then a website should be provided for parents to access resources and materials.
11. Does the school offer any career preparation or college planning?
Another important consideration when examining a hybrid school is what type of guidance and career preparation is offered. Many hybrid schools will offer some form of career guidance as well as college planning services in order to better prepare students for life after high school. When researching a school, consider inquiring about any career guidance that might be offered.
Additionally, look into whether the school provides any college planning services and what type of support is available to students when the time comes to begin looking at college and pursuing higher education.
12. Does the school provide any community involvement opportunities?
Hybrid schools often offer multiple opportunities for students to get out and be involved in their community. This can include field trips, service learning projects, guest speakers, and other activities that give students the chance to engage with their surrounding community. Inquiring about what kind of community involvement opportunities the school provides can be beneficial for student growth and learning.
Additionally, you should look into whether the school provides any opportunity for students to mentor and/or tutor other students in the community, as this can be a valuable experience for children.
13. Does the school have an adequate library or media center?
A library or media center is an essential component to any school, especially one focused on hybrid learning. Libraries and media centers provide students with access to additional resources and materials that can aid in their education.
When researching a hybrid school, consider inquiring about the quality and quantity of resources available in the library or media center. Make sure that the library has a wide selection of books, materials, and resources that can be accessed by students. Additionally, look into any digital or online resources that are available that can be utilized both inside and outside of the classroom.
14. Does the school offer any field trips or other activities outside of the classroom?
As mentioned before, field trips and other activities outside of the classroom are important for students to have the opportunity to have hands-on learning experiences. Research what type of field trips, outings, and activities the school provides.
This can include activities such as a local hikes, visits to parks, wildlife preserves, and other excursions. Additionally, inquiring about any guest speakers or other educational events that may be offered can be beneficial.
15. Is the school open to feedback from parents and students?
Finally, it is essential to make sure that any hybrid school you may be interested in is open to feedback from both parents and students. Your feedback and input can be beneficial for the school in order to ensure that it is adequately meeting the needs of the student body. When researching a hybrid school, inquire about any time for parents and students to provide input and ask questions to teachers and administrators.
A quality hybrid school should be open and willing to hear concerns from parents and students and use this feedback to make any necessary changes or improvements.
Conclusion
In conclusion, hybrid schools that allow one to three days of attendance per week and homeschool the rest are becoming increasingly popular. When researching a school like this, it is important to consider the 15 questions listed in this article.
This will help you gain an understanding of the school and make sure that it is providing your child with the best education possible.