Pacific School's New Home Study Program - Frequently Asked Questions
What are the goals for Pacific School's new Home Study Program?
We are creating this program to serve families who are looking for a quality elementary education without a classroom component. The goals for each student are to achieve the skills outlined in the California State Standards at or above grade level and to make considerable gains in their overall academic skills each year. We hope to support families in creating a successful, calm, and educationally rich academic environment for their student. We also hope to facilitate students' social connections with local peers through optional online small group classes and opportunities.
We are creating this program to serve families who are looking for a quality elementary education without a classroom component. The goals for each student are to achieve the skills outlined in the California State Standards at or above grade level and to make considerable gains in their overall academic skills each year. We hope to support families in creating a successful, calm, and educationally rich academic environment for their student. We also hope to facilitate students' social connections with local peers through optional online small group classes and opportunities.
What grades will the program serve?
Transitional kindergarten through sixth grade.
How will the program logistics work?
Parents, students, and the teacher will sign a master agreement and an 8-week assignment at the beginning of the year. The teacher will work with families and students in designing the assignments so that students’ and families’ needs are met and students are challenged to grow and learn to their maximum potential. The teacher will give new assignments every eight weeks throughout the year. Students will be responsible for completing each assignment within the given time period. Parents will need to support their student(s) in completing and submitting their work to their teacher.
Student education will be supported with a combination of resources including but not limited to: optional small group online classes led by the teacher, online curriculum resources (e.g. Khan Academy, BrainPop, DreamBox, Mathletics, Mystery Science, FOSS Web Science, Benchmark Language Arts, among others), school-provided textbooks and instructional materials, and parent-provided resources (for example, home science experiences). Parents are invited to utilize the combination of resources that best serves their student in achieving the outlined academic goals.
The teacher will meet with students a minimum of twice per month through online conferencing software, by phone, or in person. This can happen through optional online small group classes, online tutoring with the teacher, a check-in phone call, etc. The teacher will also meet with the parents online, by phone, or in person at least once every eight weeks to discuss progress and create a new assignment.
All meetings, paperwork, and assignments can be completed and submitted entirely online if desired. However, if internet access is challenging for families, logistics can also be handled by phone, in person, and/or through the mail.
What subjects will my student study?
Families are expected to provide regular documentation of student work and progress in these six areas:
While documentation must be in a form approved by the teacher and district, there is flexibility in the types of activities that qualify for each of these areas. Ways to document work include:
How much flexibility will there be with the curriculum?
The goals of the program are for each student to achieve the skills outlined in the California State Standards at or above grade level and to make considerable gains in their overall academic skills each year. While the teacher will provide adopted and supplemental curricular materials to each family, there is flexibility about how each student achieves these goals. Families who wish to provide their own materials or design their own projects may do so as long as these materials or projects support the student in achieving the goals above. (Please note that no materials with religious content may be counted towards the student’s official school work, unless they are part of a social studies unit on history or comparative religion.)
Will there be opportunities for my student to advance above their grade level?
Definitely. If your student can demonstrate grade-level skills, they will be encouraged to continue to learn, grow, and develop their skills above grade level.
Does my student need to own a computer?
No, not necessarily. Younger students, in particular, may not need a computer. If your student does not own a computer adequate for their educational needs in this program, Pacific School will lend your student a Chromebook for the school year. Families are responsible for following all school rules regarding computer and technology use and returning the Chromebook in working order at the end of the year, or at the time of disenrollment.
Does my student need reliable internet access?
No, although it is helpful. However, if you do not have reliable internet access, there are several options. First, the school can provide equivalent offline educational materials. For younger students, this may be an excellent option. Second, the school provides all families with internet access at any time in the parking lot across Highway 1 from the school. They can also access the internet from school grounds after school hours. Finally, in some cases, the school may be able to provide internet hot spots or other solutions for home use, although this can be challenging depending on the family’s location and cell service, and is not guaranteed to be a viable option.
Do we need to be residents of the Pacific Elementary School District to participate?
No. Students in the program must be a resident of Santa Cruz County or any county adjacent to Santa Cruz County. Students who live out of the district boundaries must complete the appropriate Interdistrict Transfer Form. For families within Santa Cruz County, the Interdistrict Transfer Form and instructions are here. Families outside the county need to obtain the correct form from their school district of residence.
My family lives in the Davenport School District. Are we guaranteed a spot in the Homeschool Program?
Generally yes, as long as your family can support your student to accomplish their schoolwork within the terms of the agreement. If your student has an IEP, please see the additional comments below.
My student has an IEP. Can we participate?
Generally yes, if all of the following are true:
I’m worried that my student won’t learn everything they need to know and will get behind.
This is a common fear of many first-time homeschooling parents. However, there is considerable evidence that home-based education is a successful educational model and that students educated at home in general are as likely or more likely to flourish in their future pursuits as traditionally schooled students. Families generally find that students can learn and retain more new skills in shorter amounts of time with tailored curriculum and one-on-one or small group instruction. One of the advantages of joining Pacific School's program is that a credentialed and experienced teacher will be available to support you and your student.
How will the program fit into the larger Pacific School community?
Pacific School plans to make every effort to make its Home Study students feel welcomed and integrated into the Pacific School community, despite the challenges of social distancing. The teacher will encourage Home Study students to develop social connections with each other through optional online classes. Parents will also be welcome to share their passions by organizing online classes or activities for interested students. Families will receive the Pacific School weekly memo, and be encouraged to participate in fundraising and to attend online meetings of Parents’ Club, Site Council, and the Board of Trustees.
I like the idea of being more involved in my student’s education, but I would prefer they have some in-person class time with peers.
The Home Study Program is designed for full-time home-based education with no in-person classroom experiences. If you want in-person class time, you should consider Pacific School’s Independent Study Program, which is a parent-participation hybrid program offering (when possible) a combination of in-person classroom experiences and home-based education.
I’m confused. Is this new Home Study Program an independent study program? But you also have an Independent Study Program that’s different?
We will have two separate programs:
California Education Code allows schools to offer independent study programs which can be structured as 100% offsite home-based learning, 100% in-person classroom-based learning, or anywhere in between.
Are students in the Home Study Program required to be fully vaccinated?
No. Parents must give the office a copy of the student's vaccine records at the time of enrollment, but because there is no classroom component to the program, students are not required to have completed all of their vaccines. However, if you wish to participate in any school-sponsored field trips or transfer into any program with an in-person classroom component, whether at Pacific School or elsewhere, your student will need to be fully vaccinated. For more information, see www.shotsforschool.org.
What if I sign up for Pacific’s Home Study Program but later want to transfer my student into one of Pacific School’s other programs (traditional classrooms or Independent Study) or another school?
In general it is our hope that families who chose any of our three programs (home study, IS, or traditional) will stay with that program throughout an entire school year, as frequent transitions can be disruptive to the student as well as the community each teacher tries to build. That said, switching midyear to another Pacific program may be possible if there is space available in the program and grade level desired and the transition takes place at an appropriate time, such as right after a vacation.
Note, however, that in-district families always have the option to return to the traditional classroom program, and residents of other districts always have the option to return to the classroom program of their home district.
We are an out-of-district Pacific family. If we enroll in the Home Study Program for 2020-21, will my student lose their spot in their current program and have to re-enter the lottery for 2021-22?
To have the best chance of being able to return to your previous program, you must complete your interdistrict transfer and clearly notify Chyna of your intentions by February 1. If you do so, your student will have priority to return to their previous (or another) Pacific School program if there is space, and will not need to enter the lottery for new out-of-district families. However, space in any program in any given year cannot be guaranteed.
Do you give families money for educational supplies or programs?
No, although we do provide curriculum materials, supplemental materials, distance-learning programs, and live classes for small groups or individuals through phone or teleconferencing technology. Charter schools such as Ocean Grove are regulated differently than public schools such as Pacific. By law, Pacific cannot provide things of value to one group of students that it does not provide equally to all of its students.
Why should I choose Pacific School over other programs?
Pacific School is unique in many ways. As a single-school district averaging only about 120 students in K-6, each student is personally known to the staff including the Superintendent/Principal. Our goal for the Home Study Program is to maintain that tight-knit community feeling despite the challenges of students learning off site. We believe we can build on our 15 years of success with our existing Independent Study Program and support families in achieving an outstanding education. And we hope to share the spirit, if not all the details, of Pacific School's tradition of real-world education including FoodLab (our award-winning school lunch program in which students learn to cook), Life Lab (school garden), field trips, hands-on science, etc. with families in our Home Study Program.
I may want to sign my student up. What do I do now?
If you are a new family, complete the 2020-21 PESD TK-6 Interest Form, and indicate your interest in the full-time Home Study Program. If you are a current Pacific family, email Chyna Darby at cdarby@pacificesd.org to express your interest in the program.
Transitional kindergarten through sixth grade.
How will the program logistics work?
Parents, students, and the teacher will sign a master agreement and an 8-week assignment at the beginning of the year. The teacher will work with families and students in designing the assignments so that students’ and families’ needs are met and students are challenged to grow and learn to their maximum potential. The teacher will give new assignments every eight weeks throughout the year. Students will be responsible for completing each assignment within the given time period. Parents will need to support their student(s) in completing and submitting their work to their teacher.
Student education will be supported with a combination of resources including but not limited to: optional small group online classes led by the teacher, online curriculum resources (e.g. Khan Academy, BrainPop, DreamBox, Mathletics, Mystery Science, FOSS Web Science, Benchmark Language Arts, among others), school-provided textbooks and instructional materials, and parent-provided resources (for example, home science experiences). Parents are invited to utilize the combination of resources that best serves their student in achieving the outlined academic goals.
The teacher will meet with students a minimum of twice per month through online conferencing software, by phone, or in person. This can happen through optional online small group classes, online tutoring with the teacher, a check-in phone call, etc. The teacher will also meet with the parents online, by phone, or in person at least once every eight weeks to discuss progress and create a new assignment.
All meetings, paperwork, and assignments can be completed and submitted entirely online if desired. However, if internet access is challenging for families, logistics can also be handled by phone, in person, and/or through the mail.
What subjects will my student study?
Families are expected to provide regular documentation of student work and progress in these six areas:
- Language Arts (reading, writing, handwriting, spelling, grammar, oral skills, etc.)
- Mathematics (number skills, operations, geometry, algebra, estimation, measurement, data, graphing, etc.)
- Science and Engineering (experiments and observations, design thinking, measurements and record keeping, physics, nature studies, etc.)
- Social Studies (foreign language, economics, people and societies, history, holidays, world religions, etc.)
- Arts and Special Studies (art, drama, dance, music, skills and crafts, cooking, other applied arts, etc.)
- Physical Education (exercise, sports, etc.)
While documentation must be in a form approved by the teacher and district, there is flexibility in the types of activities that qualify for each of these areas. Ways to document work include:
- Originals or photocopies of student work (writing, math pages, worksheets, artwork, etc.)
- Photographs of students engaged in an activity (hands-on math or science, building a sculpture, etc.)
- Lists of books read independently or aloud
- Dictation (for younger students) of student stories or responses to questions, transcripts or notes about discussions, etc.
- Copies of books and resources used (or covers/title pages), sheet music, activity guides, etc.
- Reports generated by online learning software
- Activity logs, such as reading or PE logs
- Descriptions, brochures, attendance records, etc. for classes and programs participated in.
How much flexibility will there be with the curriculum?
The goals of the program are for each student to achieve the skills outlined in the California State Standards at or above grade level and to make considerable gains in their overall academic skills each year. While the teacher will provide adopted and supplemental curricular materials to each family, there is flexibility about how each student achieves these goals. Families who wish to provide their own materials or design their own projects may do so as long as these materials or projects support the student in achieving the goals above. (Please note that no materials with religious content may be counted towards the student’s official school work, unless they are part of a social studies unit on history or comparative religion.)
Will there be opportunities for my student to advance above their grade level?
Definitely. If your student can demonstrate grade-level skills, they will be encouraged to continue to learn, grow, and develop their skills above grade level.
Does my student need to own a computer?
No, not necessarily. Younger students, in particular, may not need a computer. If your student does not own a computer adequate for their educational needs in this program, Pacific School will lend your student a Chromebook for the school year. Families are responsible for following all school rules regarding computer and technology use and returning the Chromebook in working order at the end of the year, or at the time of disenrollment.
Does my student need reliable internet access?
No, although it is helpful. However, if you do not have reliable internet access, there are several options. First, the school can provide equivalent offline educational materials. For younger students, this may be an excellent option. Second, the school provides all families with internet access at any time in the parking lot across Highway 1 from the school. They can also access the internet from school grounds after school hours. Finally, in some cases, the school may be able to provide internet hot spots or other solutions for home use, although this can be challenging depending on the family’s location and cell service, and is not guaranteed to be a viable option.
Do we need to be residents of the Pacific Elementary School District to participate?
No. Students in the program must be a resident of Santa Cruz County or any county adjacent to Santa Cruz County. Students who live out of the district boundaries must complete the appropriate Interdistrict Transfer Form. For families within Santa Cruz County, the Interdistrict Transfer Form and instructions are here. Families outside the county need to obtain the correct form from their school district of residence.
My family lives in the Davenport School District. Are we guaranteed a spot in the Homeschool Program?
Generally yes, as long as your family can support your student to accomplish their schoolwork within the terms of the agreement. If your student has an IEP, please see the additional comments below.
My student has an IEP. Can we participate?
Generally yes, if all of the following are true:
- The student’s IEP states that independent study is an appropriate educational option.
- The parents are able to support the student in completing their work to the best of their abilities.
- The student is willing to participate in independent study and do their work to the best of their abilities.
- The accommodations of the student’s IEP do not require Pacific School to create a new program or expand an impacted program.
I’m worried that my student won’t learn everything they need to know and will get behind.
This is a common fear of many first-time homeschooling parents. However, there is considerable evidence that home-based education is a successful educational model and that students educated at home in general are as likely or more likely to flourish in their future pursuits as traditionally schooled students. Families generally find that students can learn and retain more new skills in shorter amounts of time with tailored curriculum and one-on-one or small group instruction. One of the advantages of joining Pacific School's program is that a credentialed and experienced teacher will be available to support you and your student.
How will the program fit into the larger Pacific School community?
Pacific School plans to make every effort to make its Home Study students feel welcomed and integrated into the Pacific School community, despite the challenges of social distancing. The teacher will encourage Home Study students to develop social connections with each other through optional online classes. Parents will also be welcome to share their passions by organizing online classes or activities for interested students. Families will receive the Pacific School weekly memo, and be encouraged to participate in fundraising and to attend online meetings of Parents’ Club, Site Council, and the Board of Trustees.
I like the idea of being more involved in my student’s education, but I would prefer they have some in-person class time with peers.
The Home Study Program is designed for full-time home-based education with no in-person classroom experiences. If you want in-person class time, you should consider Pacific School’s Independent Study Program, which is a parent-participation hybrid program offering (when possible) a combination of in-person classroom experiences and home-based education.
I’m confused. Is this new Home Study Program an independent study program? But you also have an Independent Study Program that’s different?
We will have two separate programs:
- The new full-time Home Study Program
- The existing Independent Study (IS) Program
California Education Code allows schools to offer independent study programs which can be structured as 100% offsite home-based learning, 100% in-person classroom-based learning, or anywhere in between.
Are students in the Home Study Program required to be fully vaccinated?
No. Parents must give the office a copy of the student's vaccine records at the time of enrollment, but because there is no classroom component to the program, students are not required to have completed all of their vaccines. However, if you wish to participate in any school-sponsored field trips or transfer into any program with an in-person classroom component, whether at Pacific School or elsewhere, your student will need to be fully vaccinated. For more information, see www.shotsforschool.org.
What if I sign up for Pacific’s Home Study Program but later want to transfer my student into one of Pacific School’s other programs (traditional classrooms or Independent Study) or another school?
In general it is our hope that families who chose any of our three programs (home study, IS, or traditional) will stay with that program throughout an entire school year, as frequent transitions can be disruptive to the student as well as the community each teacher tries to build. That said, switching midyear to another Pacific program may be possible if there is space available in the program and grade level desired and the transition takes place at an appropriate time, such as right after a vacation.
Note, however, that in-district families always have the option to return to the traditional classroom program, and residents of other districts always have the option to return to the classroom program of their home district.
We are an out-of-district Pacific family. If we enroll in the Home Study Program for 2020-21, will my student lose their spot in their current program and have to re-enter the lottery for 2021-22?
To have the best chance of being able to return to your previous program, you must complete your interdistrict transfer and clearly notify Chyna of your intentions by February 1. If you do so, your student will have priority to return to their previous (or another) Pacific School program if there is space, and will not need to enter the lottery for new out-of-district families. However, space in any program in any given year cannot be guaranteed.
Do you give families money for educational supplies or programs?
No, although we do provide curriculum materials, supplemental materials, distance-learning programs, and live classes for small groups or individuals through phone or teleconferencing technology. Charter schools such as Ocean Grove are regulated differently than public schools such as Pacific. By law, Pacific cannot provide things of value to one group of students that it does not provide equally to all of its students.
Why should I choose Pacific School over other programs?
Pacific School is unique in many ways. As a single-school district averaging only about 120 students in K-6, each student is personally known to the staff including the Superintendent/Principal. Our goal for the Home Study Program is to maintain that tight-knit community feeling despite the challenges of students learning off site. We believe we can build on our 15 years of success with our existing Independent Study Program and support families in achieving an outstanding education. And we hope to share the spirit, if not all the details, of Pacific School's tradition of real-world education including FoodLab (our award-winning school lunch program in which students learn to cook), Life Lab (school garden), field trips, hands-on science, etc. with families in our Home Study Program.
I may want to sign my student up. What do I do now?
If you are a new family, complete the 2020-21 PESD TK-6 Interest Form, and indicate your interest in the full-time Home Study Program. If you are a current Pacific family, email Chyna Darby at cdarby@pacificesd.org to express your interest in the program.