Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions

Is Village Home Open?

Village Home has lots of great learning offerings for 2022-23!  We scheduled in-person weekly offerings, online weekly offerings, Rivers Day Program, and in Salem, we are partnered with ALP Nature Preserve to provide Voyagers Outside!

Is Village Home an Open Campus?

Yes, learners and their families come and go during hours of operation because everyone has a unique schedule. Village Home is an Open Campus that runs three, 10-week terms between September and June.

Do parents have to stay on campus?

We love having parents on campus! Parents are welcome anytime in the classroom, or in one of our family-friendly hangout spaces. The parent, or an adult-designated by the family, do not have to stay on campus unless:

(1) Your child is under the age of  5 or

(2) The class requires parent participation (this will appear in the course description) or

(3)  Your child is under the age of 8, and has a 15 minute break between classes. During the breaks, there must be a parent or a designated adult on campus during the break because there is no supervision during breaks, or

(4) If your child has a GAP in their schedule (see GAP below).

Can learners be on campus during GAPS in their schedule?

Learners cannot be on campus without a parent/guardian or designated adult during a Gap. A Gap is a 60 minute class slot where your child does not have a class, but has one before or after. Village Home is responsible for your learner only during the 60 minutes of class.  Only learners 10  and over may apply for a Gap Exception.   Click here to apply for a Gap Exception.

What about food in class? And allergies?

During Voyager’s Choice offerings, we do not allow food in class.  You may pack a snack and consume it in between classes in the lounge or in the outdoor eating spaces.  Rivers Day Program learners will have a separate protocol to follow for consuming snacks and lunches.  We ask all families to avoid bringing peanuts on campus, but because of the come-and-go nature of our community, we cannot guarantee a peanut-free campus. We ask families to consume nut products of any kind in one of our designated nut zones.  Some rooms, by virtue of the classes held in them may have restrictions on food (computer and science lab).  This is clearly posted in the room. If your child has severe allergies, or brings an epipen on campus, please stop by the office to fill out an allergy plan so that we can work with you.

How can I connect with other families?

There are several ways to connect with families: Start up a conversation with the other parents in class or in the lounge, or at the Village Home events or fieldtrips. Look at the calendar for activities and events to join and get to know people better. If you or your child made a connection but haven’t gotten their contact information yet, check the Village Home Family Directory to connect. Join a volunteer team to meet other families, or attend a camping trip. ClassTag is another way we keep our families informed and connected!  Make sure you log into your ClassTag account and set up your communication preferences so that you receive all of our updates and info.

Do you have a requirement to volunteer?

Volunteers are enthusiastically welcomed, but there is no requirement for volunteering.  If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the office at office@villagehome.org or call 503-597-9100; our volunteers help us thrive as an organization and we are passionate about the co-created community that develops when we combine our time and talents.

Can I enroll my child if they are not in the stated age range?

We know that learners all grow and learn in unique ways, so most classes at Village Home have a stated age range of at least THREE years. To enroll,  your learner should be within the stated age range as of  September 1 of the current academic year to enroll in a class at any point in the current academic year.  If your learner is outside of the stated age range, meets all pre-requisites (if applicable), and wants to be in the class, you may request enrollment when Open Registration begins.  Requests for those out of the target age range are processed after learners in the target age range have an opportunity to register first. Requests are reviewed by the office and you will be notified if your request is accepted. Please do not contact your instructor directly — they cannot process an age exception request.

Family Accounts & Registration

What do I need before I registering for classes and attending?

In order to Register, you must:

  1. Have a family account with up-to-date information

Before attending a class, you must annually:

  1. Sign waivers and agreements
  2. Review the Family Orientation materials 
    More questions?  See Getting Started and Registration

How do I create an account to register?

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If you are new to Village Home and would like to register for classes, create your Family Account and password by clicking here.

The Family Account stores all necessary family information (contact & emergency information, parent & children names, birth dates, etc.) – please complete all relevant fields. You can establish, view, or update Family Account anytime from our Registration Portal.  If you are on a mobile device, simply click on the link from inside your browser.

Use the Registration Portal for all current and future Village Home registrations and account management (drop requests, payment information, etc.)

How do I register?

Create or Login to your family account through the Registration Portal during registration periods. Steps to Complete Registration

In order to participate in offerings at Village Home, parents must do the following:

Create or Login to your family account in the Registration Portal. Complete family account information and keep it up to date. Please do not open duplicate accounts.

Select the offerings you want to request/register for in your online account when registration opens.

Classes can be found here under the “booking” button on the main page (after you’ve logged in).  Then select “find a class” to look at available classes.  You can also sign up for other events and activities here as well.

Registration may be on a request system or live enrollments depending on when you visit our site.

Class Details Page:

Select learner to register:

Add to Cart:

In Cart:

Please select from the available options:

1. Pay in full – due September 5 (January 5 for Winter; April 5 for Spring).
2. 3 Installments (payment plan)– payment in thirds due September 5, October 5, and November 5 (Jan/Feb/Mar for Winter; Apr/May/Jun for Spring).
3. Charter School – only for use by families using charter school funds to pay for Village Home classes. If this applies to you, please also fill out this form. If your charter funds are unavailable for any reason, payment IN FULL is due by the charter funds due date.  You are responsible for this payment.

From this point, the cart/checkout process follows. You may continue shopping for classes, or proceed to checkout.

Request Confirmation:

REMEMBER: If you are in a REQUEST PERIOD, this is not an enrollment, but a request.  

OPEN ENROLLMENT
After the request portion of our registration period has ended and requests processed, the system will be opened for Open Enrollment. Any spaces in classes will be offered online on a first-come-first-served basis through the Add/Drop period.  

PRO TIPS:

1. You will be able to make requests for classes that create time conflicts in your learner’s schedule. If you do this, only the first randomly processed request will result in an enrollment. Any conflicting requests that come after will not be processed. Please watch your requests for time conflicts to avoid disappointment later. (Once you’ve “checked out” with your requests, you can view all of them in the Enrollment section linked on the left navigation bar, and use the view enrollment link and drop button to release any accidental double bookings)

2. You will only be able to make requests for classes/clubs for learners who will be within the stated age range on Sept 1.  Age Exceptions are processed later in the Open Enrollment period.

How do the 10-week terms work at Village Home?

Voyagers Choice weekly offerings are organized in three, 10-week terms (Fall, Winter, Spring). Each term has a registration period and a last day to drop.

Classes typically meet for the entire year (30 weeks) — learners who register in the Fall, have their space guaranteed in their classes for all three terms. Classes meet for one hour per week, and most accept mid-year enrollment. Other offerings, such as Village Home Rivers and Workshops, operate on their own schedule.  See those specific offerings for their calendars.   

What can I do in my Registration Portal?

The REGISTRATION PORTAL is your homebase for things related to your learner’s schedule. Within the Registration Portal you can: add classes, request to drop classes, see your learner’s schedule, make a payment, set up your installment payment plan, view your learner’s attendance, and much more.

 

I can't login to my account, what should I do?

Double-check your Email/Username, make sure it’s typed correctly.

Make sure your password is the one you made when you created your Family Account, and that it is typed correctly (passwords are case-sensitive). Follow the instructions on the screen for a password reset. If you have difficulty accessing your account, please call us; we’ll be happy to help you troubleshoot and regain access — please do not open a duplicate account.

What is the Request System for registration?

Registration may be on a request basis or live enrollment depending on when you visit our site.  In order to accommodate the demand for spaces in our exciting classes, we are using a request-system for the first portion of our registration period. All requests made during the request period are treated equally and enrollments in over-requested classes are accommodated randomly. Requests that are processed into enrollments will be visible in your Parent Portal.  After the request portion of our registration period has ended and requests processed, the system will be opened for open enrollment. Any spaces in classes will be offered online on a first-come-first-served basis through the Add/Drop period.  See calendar for registration related dates.

Who will use my personal information?

Village Home office staff will have access to your information and it will only be used as part of regular business in providing programs and services to our community. We will not sell or share your personal information with any other agency, organization, business, or individual. See our Privacy Policy for details.

How do I pay for my classes, activities, field trips, etc.?

Payments are easy in the Parent Portal.  We offer installment plans, and accept Visa or Mastercard to make paying convenient for you.

From the Parent Portal screen – select “My Account”

(Note, if you have a payment currently due, the system will show you the Make a Payment dialogue box as soon as you log into your account. )

Scroll past your students (or select “Payments” on the menu bar) and you will see your payments and a button to process a new payment.   Be sure to select a class/club tuition to apply the payment to and enter the payment amount.  The minimum payment we will accept online is $25.

If you are experiencing any difficulties in making payments, please email or call the office at registrar@villagehome.org 503-597-9100

How do I know if I registered for the class/activity/event?

You will receive emails confirming your registration, request (or add, drop, transfer) for all classes, activities, events, etc.

In addition, you can look at your account in the Registration Portal.

From here, you can see enrollments as you click on the “enrollments” button on each student’s tab:

Enrollments are listed:

And from this point, you can also DROP classes:

 

Why did I get waitlisted? Will I get notified if room becomes available in a waitlisted class?

When classes fill, you may add your learner to the waitlist, and when a space opens in the class, we will contact you. Sometimes a class fills from requests made in a registration group before yours (continuing enrollments or an earlier registration group). No charge is made if you are waitlisted for a class. Learners who are in the defined age range on waitlists \ are accommodated in order of when they were added to the waitlist before learners who do not meet the age criteria.

How do Add/Drops work?

You may ADD classes through the end of week two. The office will notify you if your request is approved and you are enrolled.  Mid-term enrollment is not allowed. Simply shop for the class you wish to add just like you did during the registration period and go through the cart process.

DROP before the start of the term to receive a full refund.  Classes dropped in the first two weeks of the term will receive a partial refund.  A schedule change fee of $10/class unit, $5/club will be withheld from the returned tuition.  After the end of the second week of the term, the tuition is due in full.  Any dropped classes will be removed from the learner’s schedule, but there will be no adjustment to tuition.  Classes on a Pay in Thirds payment plan will be assessed will be charged for the full remaining tuition.  Drop requests may be made online in the Parent Portal – go to My Account, then click the “Enrollments” link inside each student box to view enrollments for that student and submit drop requests.

PLEASE REQUEST A DROP BY HEADING TO THE PARENT PORTAL.

From there, head to your account:

Select the student’s enrollments whose class you wish to drop:

From here you can drop any class:

 

If you have questions about adding or dropping classes, call the office at 503-597-9100 or email registrar@villagehome.org.

What is the refund policy?

Village Home Promise
We want you to experience happy learning at Village Home. If you are not having a positive experience in your Village Home class, contact the teacher, or let the office staff know, and we will work to make it right for you in accordance with our Refund Policy.

Refunds at Village Home
Type of Offering: Refund Policy
10-Week Course (on-going): Full refund if  you drop before the start of the term.  For classes dropped within the first two weeks of the term, you will receive a partial refund.  A schedule change fee of $10/class unit, $5 per club will be withheld from your refund of the remaining tuition paid.  After the drop period, there will be no refund of tuition and classes on a payment plan will be immediately charged the remainder of the tuition for the class.
One-time workshop or short-term course:  No refund within 24 hours of the start of the offering
Field Trips: No refunds
Rivers: Pro-rated tuition refund with 30 day notice; tuition deposit is not refundable
Voyagers Outside: Full refund if you drop on or before the day of the first class meeting
Circumstances for Refunds
Course canceled by Village Home: Pro-rated refund for any remaining sessions, or full refund if the course has not started.
Session missed by Learner: No Refund
Session missed by Teacher: Refund on request if a substitute is not scheduled or a make-up is not scheduled
Learner removed from class: No Refund
What happens with my materials or text purchased from Village Home? Full refund if returned unused on or before the day of the first class meeting

What if a class is cancelled?

The classes offered in our schedule reflect our intentions when the schedule was planned. However, these offerings may be changed due to factors such as insufficient enrollment, personnel availability and budget requirements. We regret any inconvenience this might cause, and will do our best to help you adjust your schedule. If we cancel a class, we will provide a prorated refund for any sessions that are not offered.

Classes, Clubs and Other Offerings

Can I enroll my child who is not in the stated age range?

We know that learners all grow and learn in unique ways, so most classes at Village Home have a stated age range of at least THREE years. To enroll, your learner should be within the stated age range as of  September 1 of the current academic year to enroll in a class at any point in the current academic year.  If your learner is outside of the stated age range, meets all pre-requisites (if applicable), and wants to be in the class, you may request enrollment when live online registration opens.  Requests for those out of the target age range are processed after regular registration so that learners in the target age range will have an opportunity to register first. Requests are reviewed by the office and you will be notified if your request is accepted. Please do not contact your instructor directly — they cannot process an age exception request.

What is the difference between a class and a club?

Classes and Clubs are both important parts of our selection of offerings. Classes are taught by paid instructors, and tend to be driven by academic outcomes. Classes have tuition of approximately $13/hour, plus applicable material fees. Clubs are lead by volunteer parents who want to share their family’s interests with the community. Clubs tend to be more casual and more social in nature and cost approximately $3/hour. If you are interested in leading a club or teaching a class, get more information here.

Are classes year-round? How do I secure my seat in the upcoming term?

Online and Voyagers Outside classes at Village Home are offered on a year-long basis (30 weeks total). If you are enrolled in a class in a current term, your seats in your current classes will be reserved for you in the next term; simply select these courses in the registration request system.

Are Teachers background checked?

Yes, faculty and staff are background checked for your child’s safety.

Who are your teachers?

We hire teachers who love learning as much as the kids do. They propose the classes they are excited about teaching, so there is a spark of engagement in our classes. Our faculty are an impressive bunch — read about them here.

Can I earn credit for Village Home classes?

No, Village Home classes are not-for-credit. If transferring to a traditional school, please note, academic work at Village Home will not transfer in most cases.

Will I be graded and tested?

No, Village Home learners are not graded or tested, so we can focus on learning together. However, in “Homework Required” classes, teachers do review student work, and provide input when appropriate.  Feedback is designed for the learner’s benefit. In some cases, the learner can define the style of feedback they would like to receive.

How do I choose my classes?

Village Home is organized like a community college for all ages. We believe it is important to maximize autonomy and self-direction for our learners, and that starts with letting them choose what they want to learn. We recommend letting your kids choose their classes, with the parent’s input and guidance — allowing them to drive their own education maximizes class buy-in, and positive learning for the group.

Do you keep attendance records?

Teachers take attendance in class, but if  your learner is absent from class, we do not notify you. You can login to your Parent Portal to review attendance for your child anytime.

How do I contact my child's instructor?

We encourage you to communicate with your instructors regularly. To reach your instructor, email using the format is firstname.lastname@villagehome.org.  Please be sure to read your emails from your child’s teacher.

What is an EXPO Class?

Expo  classes have a demonstration component at Summerfest at the end of the spring term, where learners have an opportunity to “show their stuff” to an external audience. This is an effective external motivator, and a way for kids to demonstrate mastery. Some demonstrations will be group performances or group projects, and some will be individual projects that can become a part of the learner’s portfolio. The class and teacher work together to invite an expert from the wider professional/academic community to come and see their work.

What about homework?

We value learning together, and try to minimize homework, but sometimes homework is necessary to keep learning flowing between classes. Homework is rarely assigned in any classes prior to middle school. Some classes for ages 11 and up  include homework. If you want to sign up for a “homework” class, be sure that you (as the primary educator) are committed to helping your learner follow through with their homework commitment between class sessions. Homework is not busy work, and there is no punishment for not doing homework.  Homework may include reading, research, watching a video, writing, practicing a skill, or working on projects. Homework loads vary from 10 minutes to 1 hour per classroom hour. If a student does not routinely complete homework (lack of participation), the teacher may suggest they try a different class.

What about pre-requisites?

Knowledge or skill level prerequisites are noted in some of  the course descriptions, if applicable. Please register for a course only if your learner meets the pre-requisites. Please note, it may be necessary for you to assess your child’s reading and writing levels before registering for a class. Learners who do not meet prerequisites can be removed from a class at the discretion of the instructor.

Please be sure your learner can correctly read and pronounce at least 9 of the 10 words on the list at the pre-requisite grade level.
Quick, 2-Minute Writing Assessment (have a recent writing sample handy

General

Can I take my other child to my son's or daughter's class?

All class participants must be enrolled.  Siblings, unfortunately cannot be in classes without being an enrolled participant.

What about my child's stuff? Do you have a Lost & Found?

We have “cubbies” you can reserve for your child’s belongings. Village Home does not have a daily janitorial service, so please tidy up after yourselves and encourage your learners to clean up messes thoroughly and promptly. Learners will be asked to clean up at the end of class as well. There are Lost & Found bins on the Beaverton campus, ask the office for locations.

Do you have WiFi on the campuses?

Yes!  Our campuses have WiFi. The password is posted or is available upon request at the office.

Who should I contact with questions?

Registration and Family Account questions (all offerings/campuses): registrar@villagehome.org

Beaverton Campus questions: 503-597-9100, or office@villagehome.org

Rivers Day Program questions: rivers@villagehome.org

 

What are Village Home office hours during the terms?

Beaverton: 9:00am-3:30pm, Monday-Friday

Phone messages and emails will be answered promptly.

What is Village Home's Inclement Weather policy?

Village Home Beaverton follows the Beaverton School District Inclement Weather delays/closings. If the District is closed due to inclement weather, Village Home is also closed. If there is a two-hour delay, will we begin classes at 10:45am. Please see www.villagehome.org for notifications of closures due to inclement weather. Village Home does not hold make-up days.