FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is HOPE Academy a homeschooling co-op?
No. HOPE is a private Christian school registered with the state of North Carolina. Our classes are led by paid, experienced, professional educators who are prayerfully screened and selected by Administration. All students who enroll will be required to attend the full schedule of classes three days per week. Unlike a co-op, parents will not be asked to teach or devote a certain number of hours in the classroom in exchange for the right to attend.
Are the Common Core Educational Standards used at HOPE Academy?
National and state standards are used as a guide for academic planning and curriculum development. HOPE Academy is not required by law, nor are we tied financially in any way to state or national standards. However, as a school we have deemed it valuable to use such standards as a guide. Our students are assessed using a standardized, third party assessment each year, which is aligned with the Common Core National Standards. All academic decisions are based on prayer, research, and the developmental and academic needs of our students in order for them to be globally competitive.
Common Core standards only encompass the subjects of English Language Arts and Mathematics.
Do you serve students with special needs/ I.E.P.’s?
Yes. God has specifically called us to serve students with a variety of special needs. However, in order to maintain balanced classrooms, HOPE has a limited number of openings in each grade for students with special needs. To qualify for consideration at HOPE, students must be able to function independently in the classroom with little to no assistance. Determination of eligibility is made through the application process by an outside professional review of all testing and accommodation paperwork, as well as a secondary interview. Additional fees will be assessed for ongoing support services related to this program.
What days and times are classes in session?
Elementary School: Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:00 am – 2:45 pm
Middle School: Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
High School: Mondays -Thursdays (occasional classes on Fridays for Juniors & Seniors) 8:00 am – 3:10 pm
My child is academically gifted. Are you able to meet their needs?
HOPE Academy differentiates learning both in the classroom and at home. At HOPE, we continually assess students’ understanding and provide differentiation through small group instruction. At home, parents have the opportunity to challenge their student’s learning through teacher-designed extensions of homestudy assignments, as well as parent-initiated independent study opportunities.
How do you select teachers?
HOPE Academy’s teacher selection process is very rigorous. Teachers must demonstrate an active relationship with Jesus Christ and be engaged in a local Christian church. A proven history of excellence in the classroom is a key criteria for consideration. All teachers must be certified (or eligible for certification) to teach in North Carolina or be highly qualified in their field of expertise.
Do you provide training and support to new co-teachers?
Yes, HOPE provides extensive training, as well as ongoing support through workshops and class meetings. Find out more about how we are partnering and supporting parents on our Parent Programs page HERE.
How long can we expect to work on homestudy days?
Parents should anticipate 2-4 hours of work (plus breaks/lunch) for Elementary students and a 4-5 hour day for Middle School student and a 6-8 hour day for High School students. Parents with multiple elementary aged children at HOPE should anticipate a 5-6 hour school day at home.
Both parents work full-time outside of our home. Would HOPE be a good fit for us?
This model requires that one parent devote their attention to student(s) for most of the day on at-home learning days.
Will this model allow us more flexibility to travel?
In order to maintain the integrity of the school, parents will be asked to adhere to the published school calendar. HOPE follows NC state attendance standards and as such, voluntary school absences must be kept to a minimum. While the model does allow some flexibility, it is the expectation that students complete homestudy assignments on time, even while traveling.
If you have another question that is not addressed here, please feel free to contact us at admissions@hopek12.com.