Does anyone use an umbrella school? Which one and are you pleased with it?

Christine

We enroll through Crossroads Christian School. They are based in Crestview, Florida, but they accept enrollments nationwide. We've been with them for several years now and are very happy with them. I plan to stay with them until my youngest graduates (only 6-1/2 more years!)
Lori

Hi Lori,
What a coincidence! We use them too. Have you had anyone apply to college yet with their transcipts?
Christine

Hi Christine,
No, not yet. My oldest will graduate in May. He's planning to attend our community college part-time but we haven't requested a transcript yet. I guess I should be doing that soon, but I don't think registration starts until April or May for the fall semester.
Lori

Anyone use NARS? What's your experience with them?
Anyone use other umbrella schools? Are you satisfied AND have you had to supply any extra documentation at college app time?

Christine

When it comes to the state testing (pssa tests and such) are you required to take your child to a seperate testing site to take those tests on those couple days out of the year?

Hi Tonya,
Welcome to the board! I'm not totally sure, but I think it depends on your state and the type of test. Here in Illinois, you have to have a certified teacher for certain tests and others you can administer at home.
Anyone else have any input on this? How often do you all test?
Christine

I think it does depend on your state and how you go about homeschooling. In Florida, I don't think people who register through the county have to take them. I think they keep a portfolio of the student's work instead. We register thru an umbrella school that gives us the option of submitting samples of their work and lesson plans, or submitting standardized test scores. I've done it both ways. Our local homeschool group offers testing once a year, given at a church, so I take my kids there to take the tests. I'm not sure if Crossroads accepts the type of tests that I could give at home or not, but my girls really enjoy testing so we'll probably stick with that.
Lori

We live in Kentucky. I am looking for an umbrella school that is legally recognized by our state. Are there any suggestions?

I don't know of one located in Kentucky, but Crossroads Christian School, based in Florida, accepts enrollments nation wide. Their web site is crossroadschristianschool.com

Hi ladies,

Can you tell me exactly what an umbrella school is? I've never heard that term before. I will have one in preschool and one in kindergarden next fall. (and one in diapers!)

Thanks!

An umbrella school means your child is enrolled in a "school" the same as if they attended a private school, only you are homeschooling them. Some umbrella schools are also day schools with a homeschool program. Ours isn't. It's just an "umbrella' for homeschoolers. They keep our transcripts, issue report cards and student ID cards, diplomas, etc. But I decide what curriculum to use and how to teach it. Ours also has requirements for graduation just like any other school would have. So by enrolling I do in a sense lose some of the freedom I might have by homeschooling without going under an umbrella school. In Florida, where we lived until last year, enrolling through an umbrella school was one of the legal options for homeschooling. Some states do not recognize them, though (like Texas, where we live now).

Lori,
Thanks, that is good to know. I had never heard of them before. Do your children have to be in high school to enroll, or are they for all ages? I am interested in researching them a bit, not for this next year or anything, but for future years.

Thanks again,

Heidi,
I suppose it depends on the school, but the one we used in Florida enrolled all grades K-12.

We use Christian LIFE Academy in CA. We have been satisfied so far. We homeschool our oldest daughter for high school in Bulgaria. We are quite alone in doing this. My hope with the umbrella is to give some legitimacy to what we do and receive some support. They require testing each year and the writing of course of study and course outlines, taking attendance, etc.