FAQ

This section is continually being modified to address the questions our community has today. You would help us achieve this goal by emailing us at RochesterOpenSchool@gmail.com with any questions not answered here.

When do you anticipate starting?

We anticipate starting with a full day program in the fall of 2009. We will also offer part-time options for homeschoolers.

Do you plan to offer preschool?

Not in the near future. Children who are ready for kindergarten-level learning are welcome at the Pioneer Program, even if they are not yet five-years-old.

Is it private or public?

Private.

What is the tuition?

We expect tuition to be between six and seven thousand dollars per year.

Is attendance compulsory?

The students enrolled at the Open School do need to meet state regulations for attendance. Because of the open nature of the school, it may be possible for students to conduct their studies at other locations while still being credited with attendence, much like conventional field trips and study abroad programs. Students that are registered homeschoolers have no attendance requirement.

Will busing be provided by my district of residence?

Students in Monroe County will be eligible for busing provided that they live within a 15 mile radius of the school and are not nearer than the mimimum distance specified by their home district.

I would like to continue homeschooling my child, how will the Open School help in this journey?

Homeschoolers are welcome to attend the Open School part time or full time. Some of the benefits we foresee for a homeschooler are:

• the opportunity to take classes in which they are interested
• the opportunity to in get help in any areas in which they feel they need assistance
• the opportunity to socialize with children of ages 5 to 18 years
• contact with adult staff and volunteers
• being in an unschooling community of learners.

At this time, we are offering a Pioneer Program that meets one or two mornings a week. This can be a wonderful way for homeschooled children to benefit from the three pillars of the Open School. See our home page for details.

Can children choose their own classes?

Yes. We follow a child-led curriculum. This means each child will choose areas he/she would like to explore. Groups of students may also decide that they would like to explore a topic together and can request the guidance of a suitable mentor from the community where appropriate. The lead teacher will facilitate in the search for appropriate help.

Will the school be open year round?

We will follow a regular school year: September to June.

Is it accredited?

We do not plan to seek New York state accreditation, as it would place us under obligations to test students against their will. We may seek accreditation through an organization of alternative or independent schools, if it is advantageous to our students.

Would a high schooler be able to obtain a NYS diploma upon completion?

A high schooler would not receive a regents diploma. Students ending their secondary education would have several options for optaining a diploma. This would be similar to the diplomas offered at non-regents schools, like McQuaid and Allendale-Columbia (or what used to be called a "locals" diploma). Those students who wished could obtain a GED, or simply move on to the next thing.

We will help students build portfolios of their work, just as homeschoolers do if they are not following a set curriculum, and they would apply for colleges, careers, vocational schools, etc. by presenting evidence of their previous work. All colleges now accept portfolio based applications. College-bound students may choose to take tests such as SAT, PSAT, or ACT and can prepare for them as part of their studies at the Open School.

What will be the student/teacher ratio?

Twelve to one will be the highest, depending on the numbers of children of each age (a large population of little ones needs a lower ratio). This ratio includes only enrolled students to permanent or substitute staff (full- or part-time). In addition, there may be visiting instructors, volunteers, and parents on the campus who would not be included in that count. We recognize the need to have staff whose first responsibility is to respond to and interact with the students.

How does a child get introduced to material other than what he or she is exposed to?

It is very similar to how adults do research on subjects that they are interested in. Michael Aquilina III shares how his interests led him through a wide range of academic subjects in The Catholic Homeschool Companion:

"In my seventh-grade year, I got interested in amateur 'ham' radio, and I passed a Federal Communications Commission radio-license examination that covered math, electronics, physics, civics, and more. I started volunteering two afternoons a week at the town library. I also decided to write...my first book, St Jude: A Friend in Need. I soon started offering it to different publishers, and in the process wrote up a marketing plan for it....[A]fter many encouraging rejections, the book was accepted by Pauline Books and Media and was published in early 2004.

"My first year as an unschooler was a success..."

I think my child thrives with some structure and could benefit from a curriculum. Will someone help my child with this?

We would love to help! Our school does not require each child to have a curriculum, but if the child prefers more structure, then we will be happy to help him or her design an individualized curriculum.

What is my child going to be like after going to the Open School?

We have looked at what the graduates from other similar schools say, and what we noticed is that most are happy adults. Some have professional careers, others are artists or live in nature. Many took some time to travel or work before moving on to college.

What role will parents play?

All parents will be encouraged to participate in the Community Portal. The Portal allows members of the community at large to offer classes, demonstrations, mentorships, etc. For example, a parent skilled in sewing, might offer to run a class. All parents would be welcome to spend time at the school, with invitation from their child. Parents interested in using the school resources for their own projects may propose the project at school meetings.

Can my child try the school for a few weeks before enrolling for the year to see if it's right for him/her?

Students enrolling during the school year are encouraged to spend a day at the school, after which they are required to make a one week trial. There is a fee for the week, which would be applicable to tuition.

How would you handle different families' religious preferences, e.g., creationism vs. intelligent design vs. evolution?

We will assist children in their exploration of their world. If a child wants to learn about evolution, for example, it might lead to inquiry about ID and/or creationism. We will not discourage this kind of exploration.