Outside School:
School Year and 8 Week Peek
Application and Tuition
Because we may not cover every topic required by the State of California, nor are we in school the required number of days, you will need to be concurrently enrolled somewhere (a “school of record”) if your child is six years of age or older as of September 1 of the current school year. There are many unique ways to do this that can fit in with any family’s needs. See below!
(Concurrent enrollment is not mandatory for children who are five years old as of September 1 of the current school year, as education is not compulsory in California until first grade.)
Homeschooling - Unschooling - Deschooling - Wildschooling
This is the option with the most flexibility.
Options can include:
Filing your own private school affidavit,
Receiving additional instruction by a state certificated tutor,
Taking additional classes from something as free and accessible as Khan Academy.
More information from the California Department of Education is available here:
Public Schooling
Some parents get explicit permission from their classrooms/principals for attending Outside School during school hours, while others simply inform them that this is their intention.
Options can include:
Enrolling in your school district’s independent studies program.
Taking your children out of public school (or have them not attend their zoom meetings if they’re taking virtual school) on days they attend Outside School. This is usually called hybrid schooling or flexischooling, and we had several children in a successful run of this while schools were shut down for COVID,
Partnering with an online or in-person public or charter school. If eligible, you can request Outside School to be an approved vendor with an online charter homeschool program. I will be happy to work with you to go through their vendor onboarding and voucher processes,
Private Schooling
Options can include:
Partnering with an online or in-person private school or homeschool. A couple with strong academic programs are Fusion Academy and Laurel Springs School,
Enrolling in Cedar Life Academy for your school of record needs.
Here’s a link with more information about California Educational Codes and what’s possible:
Each day I keep a roster that I can share with any other program to confirm attendance as necessary. Additionally, I send out an email every day that includes documentation- stories about the day and photos. I also upload photos and videos daily to a private google folder that I share with you. You’re welcome to share these with your child’s other program if needed, in order to provide a “proof of learning.”
(1)
Apply Now!
Application Instructions: Returning Families
Welcome back! Please apply following all instructions below, except you may simply provide any updates to vaccination records and your private school affidavit as you have them.
Application Instructions: New Families (School Year and 8 Week Peek)
Ensure the first page of this site states that I’m accepting applications for your desired program.
Ensure you’ve reviewed the school’s calendar linked on the first page, and that this works for your family.
3. Ensure you’ve thoroughly examined the handbook, and that Outside School will suit your family’s needs.
4. Fill out the application in its entirety, completing all fields. For clarification:
a) Emergency contacts are people who are not the parents or guardians.
b) Parent #1 application contains more information to complete, such as emergency contacts and medical insurance information. Parent #2 application signs off on enrollment. Both parents or guardians must sign the applications and waivers. If there is only one parent or sole custodian, include a notarized document swearing to that fact and that the signing parent warrants against acts of the other, non-signatory parent.
5. Provide a copy of your child’s immunization records, including up to date COVID and flu vaccinations and boosters. For more information visit www.shotsforschool.org.
6. Send proof of your child’s concurrent enrollment in another program, if applicable. If this is not yet in place at the time of application (e.g. you are filing a Private School Affidavit for homeschooling that you will complete when they become available in August of the current school year, or you are in a transitional state and working out your plans), please send along what your plan is, and when you expect it to be completed so we can ensure compliance with state requirements.
7. Within the last calendar year, has your child had any medications, allergies, special needs, was suspected of having special needs, behavioral issues, and/or are you applying for an Outside School year 10/1 through 2/14 of the current school year? Please click here for more information about these special circumstances and what to include with your application:
If your child fits within the “special circumstances” category, and you have withheld information that becomes apparent upon enrollment, it is grounds for immediate dismissal with no refund, along with all remaining tuition due for the remainder of the program within 30 calendar days.
8. Your application is complete, and your child’s space is reserved once I’ve received all of the following:
Completed Parent #1 application,
Completed Parent #2 application (see 4b above),
Complete and up-to-date vaccination records,
Proof of your child’s concurrent enrollment in another program (see 6 above),
Anything else required for "special circumstances," if applicable,
Tuition.
Send via the appliacation page and email to teachoutside@gmail.com or via snail mail: Outside School, P.O. Box 6490, Albany, CA 94706. I check my P.O. box weekly.
(2)
School Year Tuition and Payment Schedule
-$8100/year
Can be payable in nine monthly payments of $900:
September: $900 due with application for new families, or by August 15 for returning families.
October: $900 due September 15.
November: $900 due October 15.
December: $900 due November 15.
January: $900 due December 15.
February: $900 due January 15.
March: $900 due February 15.
April: $900 due March 15.
May: $900 due April 15.
June: No payment due if enrolled on or before 12/31 of the school year, or $450 due on May 15 if enrolled on or after 1/1 of the school year.
Please remember to pay tuition on time. If you haven’t paid before the 16th of each month, I will send an invoice and charge a $25 fee.
If a family is not paying for Outside School (i.e. another school, school district, or program is paying instead), there is an additional fee of $2520/year ($280/month).
Mid-year students start on Tuesdays; there is a 15 calendar day waiting period after applying to allow me sufficient time to review application materials. If enrollment is to begin after the first week of any month, I will let you know the per diem fees.
Or
(2)
8 Week Peek Tuition
-$2700
Please note your child(ren)’s name(s) and what the payment’s for when paying via PayPal.
Do you still have questions or comments after reading all about Outside School?
All the information you should need is on the website. Practically speaking, I put examples of current happenings on social media, linked in both my signature below and on the site. There's also a blog linked at the top page of the website where there's further information and resources. If everything looks good to you, the application period is open and you can go ahead and apply.
If I’m missing some information you need, please let me know. I am currently responding to emails Mondays through Fridays, but please check your spam folder if you haven’t heard back, as I get back to everyone except marketers.
