QUESTION: Is Extraordinary Education a "school"?

ANSWER: Not exactly. Extraordinary Education is not a school in the traditional sense of the word.

We offer alternative learning opportunities for families who think outside the "school" box. Parents must be committed to working with their child at home during their non-class days to complete assignments and to help their child with concepts on an individual basis. Our teachers are highly qualified, but a one-hour class is not sufficient time to master most core subjects.

When you enroll your child in classes at Extraordinary Education you are partnering with our teachers to help you with your child's education. As a homeschool parent, you are in charge of your family's home-school. You retain the responsibility for your child's overall education as well as his or her ultimate success or failure in the courses in which he or she is enrolled.

QUESTION: Do I have to enroll my child for the full day?

ANSWER: No, you do not have to enroll in any specific number of classes.

Our classes are offered a la carte. You pick and choose your schedule based on your child and your family's needs. Your child can take just one class or a full load of classes. The decision is up to you.

QUESTION: How does the Extraordinary Education program work?

ANSWER: We offer a cooperative program designed to support and complement home-based studies.

Parents choose to partner with our teachers to help them teach their child a particular subject, enrichment topic or skill. Some families choose to have most or all of their child's core subjects taught by EE teachers while other families prefer to have a parent teach most or all of their child's core subjects. Other families enroll their child in just one or two elective or enrichment classes or clubs while others take advantage of many enrichment opportunities through EE.

Students attend their classes one or more days per week for one-two hours per class. The program is similar to a college schedule. Students receive concept explanation, lecture time, and guided practice during class time as well as participating in hands-on activities, labs, class discussions, learning games and other group-based learning activities. For core classes and certain other classes students also receive assignments each week that they are expected to complete at home with the assistance of a parent as needed. Assignments and projects are turned in the following week during class or as scheduled in the course syllabus. The parent's role at home is to be the child's personal coach or tutor.

Since most classes only meet one day per week and our semesters are only 15 weeks, it is extremely important that students attend class each class day. It is also imperative that students complete and return assignments in a timely manner if they are to learn anything from the course.

Upon completion of a course, teachers may issue a certificate of completion or a report card of some kind. It is the parent's responsibility, as the "principal" of their family's home-school, to keep track of records of the classes that their child has completed. EE does not keep these records.

Parents also have the prerogative to adjust their child's grade (either upward or downward) for a particular course based on the parent's knowledge of their child and their abilities as well as other factors that the teacher may not have taken into account.

QUESTION: How much volunteer time is expected of parents?

ANSWER: For the 2010-2011 school year, there is no longer a minimum volunteer commitment. Many co-op staff positions are available, however, for those families who are in need of a tuition discount and those parents who want to stay involved in their child's education and help support our program. 

Family volunteer times can be something as simple as helping set up tables and chairs each week, helping on the playground during lunch or helping get the trash out every week. We encourage families to "adopt a chore" and see to it that it gets done each week. This includes finding someone to take over your chore when you are absent!

For a full explanation of our Membership philosophy, please read the Membership page.