Choices Private School Option
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do students and families choose Choices?
People choose Choices for a variety of reasons. Some of our learners come from a public school setting, while others are lifelong homeschoolers. Some Choices learners arrive with honor roll grades and excellent school records, but feel bored and limited in school. Others have serious passions, such as in art, music, outdoor sports or computer programming, and feel that school is an obstacle to the progress they really want to make. Some learners arrive with diagnosed learning disabilities and special education plans, but feel that they were not receiving the appropriate support to meet their needs in a traditional classroom setting. Our students are seeking the opportunity to focus on their strengths while working on their challenges at their own pace. What each new member has in common is the willingness to leave traditional schooling and take responsibility for his or her own learning.
How many credits are required to graduate from Choices and receive a diploma?
The minimum requirement in the State of Oregon is the completion of 24 credits to graduate (see below). We consider learners’ future plans and ambitions when designing classes and setting up curriculum, such as interest in college or university, vocational, trade, or art school, or entrance into the workforce.
Credits required to graduate:
English: 4 credits
Mathematics: 3 credits (at the Algebra I level and higher)
Science: 3 credits (scientific inquiry, 2 with lab experiences)
Social Science: 3 credits
Health: 1 credit
Physical Education: 1 credit
Second Language/The Arts/Career and Technical Education: 3 credits (any one area or in combination)
Electives: 6 credits
One credit (1.00) equals 130 hours of completed learning activities; one half credit (0.50) equals 65
hours.
My child is not particularly motivated. How could a program like this possibly help him/her achieve success, when other programs have failed?
The primary purpose of traditional public educational systems is not to motivate the student. The lock- step “bell system,” with its restrictive, structured environment, and attendance-based, mandatory curricula, cannot create an atmosphere conducive to motivating anyone. Our approach is decidedly different from the mainstream. We believe that learning is a lifelong process, and one that requires lots of freedom and self-direction if it is to be truly rewarding and satisfying.
In the various learning opportunities we offer, we deliberately sought out educators and mentors who enjoy helping children become self-motivated, independent learners. Our teachers guide students through options, resources, and academics much like a travel agent. We look at where the learner is and where he or she wants to go and collaboratively make a map of how to get there. Through an authentic, personalized approach that promotes high standards through self-confidence and mastery, we create learning opportunities grounded in the world that reflect individual needs and desires.
Learners and their parents work with our staff to design classes that reflect the learners’ interests, goals,and learning styles. Learners are encouraged and supported in the process of determining what they want to learn, how they will learn it, and at what pace. We have found that freedom in learning, when given with support and mentorship, is the best motivator of all. Students who have been stifled in the public system can become happy, successful, and highly motivated when allowed to pursue their educational goals in a student-centered program, totally free of restrictions and restraints on how and what the student is allowed to learn.
What about friends and a social life?
At Choices, we strongly believe friendships and social interactions are integral to a learner’s personal and academic development. That is why we strongly encourage our learners to utilize and explore the many classes, workshops, and activities provided by Village Home. We also help all families access resources within their local communities and neighborhoods. We have found that when children are given the choice to determine their peer groups and are exposed to intergenerational activities, they are happy and thriving individuals able to work within diverse settings for many different purposes.
How do your learning programs and services for homeschoolers differ from other organizations in the Metro area?
There are several wonderful educational services and support groups for homeschooling families, as well as neighborhood parent co-ops that provide instruction and support. Choices honors those activities, experience, and instruction as valuable components of a homeschooler or unschooler's education.
For our “Full” and “Part-time” learners we issue credit to homeschoolers and unschoolers for these hours spent learning toward achieving a nationally accredited high school diploma.
Choices provide a very unique and valuable service by offering:
- Focused one-on-one tutoring and mentorship with a certified educator 1-3 times per week in 1 hour increments
- Ability to earn a nationally accredited Choices High School Diploma which includes all record keeping, official transcripts, and assistance with college preparedness (SAT prep, application support)
- Holistic, student-centered learning programs that allow learners to move at their own pace without the confinements of a grade level or of a set curriculum.
- Access to experts and graduate students in a variety of professional, vocational, and artistic fields during our Scene in the City and Pro Connect workshops.
- Totally personalized learning plans (1st through 12th grade) with parent support including curriculum recommendations, weekly activity packets, and community event calendars
- Membership to Village Home
- Diagnostic testing for families and learners interested in assessing learning styles, strengths, gaps, and challenges through an array of non-high stakes formats that seek to empower the learner rather than punish
- No standardized testing at grades 3, 5, 8, 10 as is required for homeschoolers registered through their local school distric
Does Choices represent or espouse any religious, ideological, or political movements or points of view?
Be Academy is nonpartisan, nonsectarian, and nondiscriminatory. Our commitment is to freedom in learning, and excellence in creating an educational environment where that freedom may be nurtured and prosper.
