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What are my options?

Option 1: Qualify as a private school.
To use this option, a parent simply needs to file a Private School Affidavit with the California Department of Education.

• ADVANTAGES: You are completely in control of your homeschool.  You do not have to be accountable to anyone (other than yourself and your children) about the content, curriculum, methods, assessment methods, or any other aspect of your homeschool.  Filing the affidavit costs nothing.
  
• DISADVANTAGES: You must keep all the records required by the state yourself, which can be a daunting task for some people.  Local school districts sometimes challenge the validity of your private school, or say that this is not a legal method of homeschooling (even though IT IS), and they may refer you to truancy officers or Child Protective Services in an attempt to get you to enroll your children in a public or charter school program. You must provide everything yourself.  You are on your own to find help or advice about curriculum, methods, etc.  Some families have a hard time obtaining their childrens' records from former schools.

Option 2: Use a private tutor.
To use this option, the parent must either hold a valid California teaching credential for the grades being taught, or hire a credentialed teacher to instruct their children.

• ADVANTAGES: Parents who choose this option need not inform the department of Education or local school district in order to start using this method, unless they need to withdraw  a student from another school.  The parent or teacher determines the curriculum, assessment methods, etc. No testing or records are required, except for those the parent or teacher chooses to keep.
  
• DISADVANTAGES: If you are not a credentialed teacher yourself, this is by far the most expensive way to homeschool.  While hiring a private tutor can offer many of the same benefits of homeschooling, such as individual instruction and customized curriculum, many people do not consider this arrangement to really be "homeschooling."

Option 3: Enroll in a public school or charter school Independent Study Program (ISP).
With this option, parents enroll their children in a public or charter school program which allows them to teach their children at home under the supervision of a credentialed school teacher who is employed by the school.

• ADVANTAGES: This can be a good way to go for people who are just starting out and would like a lot of input and guidance from an experienced teacher.  Materials and curriculum are usually provided by the school.  These schools are publicly funded, and are therefore free to the families who enroll.  Since students are still enrolled in a public school, there is no danger of being reported to a truancy officer. Most programs provide extra-curricular activities and field trips.
  
• DISADVANTAGES: Children enrolled in these programs are still public school students, and are therefore still required to adhere to state educational standards, which dictate when and how a good deal of the material is to be taught.  Curriculum and testing methods are usually determined by the program, though most programs allow parents and students at least some choice.  Funding cuts to education often affect these programs severely.  Usually, students must participate in state standardized testing, sometimes as a condition of continued enrollment.  All programs require the parent and students to meet with the teacher at least once a month, and many require that the meetings occur in the student's home. Many people consider this to be overly-intrusive.  It can be difficult to find a program that will enroll your children if they have any special educational needs, or have been diagnosed with a learning disability.  Record-keeping is usually very involved.  Attendance schedules are usually dictated by the school, and often don't allow much flexibility.  Many homeschooling advocates feel that enrolling in one of these programs may increase the risk of families being reported to Child Protective Services.  Many education experts are opposed to public school funds ever being used to fund home education.  Families who enroll in these programs are not eligible to join Home School Legal Defense Association.

Option 4: Enroll in a private school "cover program" or ISP.
With this option, parents enroll their children in a private school which offers a homeschooling cover program or ISP.

• ADVANTAGES: Children are enrolled in a private school.  If a social worker or truancy officer ever questions the legality of your homeschooling, school representatives are usually available to confirm your children’s enrollment and attendance. Most programs offer total curriculum and method choice, and flexible scheduling.  All legally required records and information are kept on file by the school. Most programs do not require meetings with a supervised teacher.  Many programs offer field trips and other group activities.
  
• DISADVANTAGES: Some programs have strict requirements about content, methods, and curriculum.  Some require parents to purchase curriculum from the school, or to use a specific curriculum. Some programs are very costly.  Most religious schools require parents to sign a "statement of faith" as a condition of enrollment, and require that instruction in a particular religion be provided to the students. Some religious programs require that parents and students attend religious services consistent with the beliefs of the school on a regular basis.  Many schools require parents to attend meetings, parent trainings, or workshops on a regular basis, which can be taxing on a busy homeschooling parent's schedule.  Standardized testing and other assessment methods may be determined and required by the school. Parents usually purchase their own curriculum.  Some schools charge large amounts of money for curriculum consultations or other supportive services.

What about Faith Academy?  What makes it different?
We give you all the advantages of a typical private cover school, without many of the typical disadvantages, and we do it all for far less than the cost of many other private cover schools.  

• We encourage the parents to determine the curriculum, content, methods, and assessment used for their children.

• We do not require parents to purchase curriculum from us, or to use a pre-set curriculum or method.

• We encourage families to use whatever method or style fits their needs, from "school at home" to "unschooling."

• We are a religious school, and therefore require parents to sign a "statement of faith" as a condition of enrollment, provide instruction in a Christian religion, and attend religious services.

• We encourage parents to further their knowledge of home education on a regular basis, but we do not require them to attend meetings, trainings, or workshops.

• We do not require students to participate in standardized testing. 

• We offer curriculum consultations and support at no charge, including how to create a low or no-cost curriculum for your family.