How Does it Work?

Families supply a computer with a high-speed Internet connection and the Daycroft Online Learning Community provides the courses, materials and support for the parent-educator to provide a high-quality, flexible education for their children at home.

Parent-Teacher

A parent (or other qualified adult) is the learning coach (grades K-8) and mentor (grades 9-12).

Education Specialist

Families are assigned a Daycroft OLC education specialist who communicates with them by email, phone and Skype. The education specialist answers questions and provides support to the parent and student.

Individualized

The online learning experience is highly individualized. The parent-teacher sets the pace and creates the appropriate learning environment for each student.

Core Curriculum

The family chooses to enroll in 2 to 6 courses from our core curriculum and electives for grades K-12 which we purchase from four award-winning, accredited education providers:

• Aventa Learning.
• Compass Learning.
• K12, Inc.
• Lincoln Interactive

Placement

The Daycroft OLC director or the education specialist helps the parent-teacher to determine the student's starting place in the curriculum and assists with the final course selection. A student may be at different grade levels in his/her courses.

Daycroft OLC Places Order

The Daycroft OLC orders the courses and any required materials.

Parent Receives Log-in

Parent-teachers receive their user name and password either from the Daycroft OLC director or the course provider--depending on the company. Then parent-teachers set up their student user names and passwords as directed.

Parent-teacher tutorials

Parent-teachers learn from online tutorials, the Daycroft OLC director or the education specialist how to use the planning and progress tools that are an important ingredient in the child’s long-term success.

Tech Support

Our course providers offer technical support by email 24/7. Phone support is available during extended business hours. The Daycroft OLC director is also available to answer questions.

Shipping

Any physical materials required for a course are shipped directly to the family from the course provider.

Billing

Daycroft OLC invoices the family for the total tuition, material and shipping costs.

Payment Plans

The parent or person responsible for paying the tuition and material costs chooses from three payment options:

• Pay in full.
• Pay cost of material kits and shipping in one month, then divide the tuition costs into 9 monthly payments.
• Pay shipping, and pay the total of tuition and cost of materials kits in 10 monthly installments.

Student starts

Students start usually one course at a time--one a day. Courses are designed to provide the proper balance of online lessons and books, worksheets, manipulatives, projects and hands-on activities.

Parent alongside

The parent-teacher works side-by-side with the student. The strength of the parent-teacher commitment is a key factor in the student’s success in grades K-8.

Instructional support

The Daycroft OLC education specialist is available daily by email to answer questions and to provide support, and holds scheduled telephone conferences with parents and students.

Program Director

The Program Director is also available daily by email and phone.

Course completion

Courses are designed to be completed in the time of a regular school year including normal vacations. However, a student is allowed one calendar year from the course start date to complete a course. If a student finishes a course early, s/he may enroll in the next level of the course at any time by paying the tuition for the new course and materials.

Socialization

Parents plan for their children to participate in outside activities that allow them to get together with others in art, music and dance classes, sports, and community service.

When to join

While most families join the Online Learning Community at the start of the school year, new families may join at any time.