Sparrow Academy Homeschool FAQ

Do I have to live within the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District?
No, you only have to live in San Diego County.

How much funding do homeschooled students receive? 
$3500 at the beginning of the year. Late start students receive a prorated amount based on the number of days they missed for the current school year. Each day is $19.44.

How much funding can be put towards an enrichment program?
Up to $400 per month is the norm. This allows for almost enough funding to make monthly payments for the entire school year. *You will most likely still be paying for part of the monthly tuition, depending on your program. Some funding needs to go towards a curriculum if the student doesn’t have one already.

How often do we meet and where?
We meet approximately monthly or each Learning Period. Usually on Zoom, though in person can be discussed.

What is a Learning Period?
A Learning Period is approximately 20 school days. There are 10 per year. Each Learning Period requires a meeting between caregivers and the Sparrow homeschool teacher. Students must be present at the meetings for the first part. Shy children are not forced to speak to me, but I do need to see them and attempt connecting with them. Most children seem to enjoy telling me about their school lessons, activities, and projects.

What needs to be turned in each Learning period (LP)?
One Work Sample per TK and Kindergarten student. This can be in the form of art or if you are using worksheets, that’s okay, too.

Three Work Samples per 1st-5th grade students. One for Math, one for Language Arts, and one for Art. Science and Social Studies should be part of Language Arts or Math.

Also, a lesson plan or calendar of lessons for the LP dates, as well as a PE log with 200 hours every 10 days (or 20 minutes per day, however works best for you to calculate it) of active lessons.

Are there classes offered by Sparrow Academy?
Yes, one per day of the week*. Currently (25/26 school year) we offer ELA on Zoom on Mondays, Handwork in person Tuesdays, Games class in person Wednesdays, Art on Zoom on Thursdays, and Field Trips to various locations on Fridays. These are not required classes. *These classes may change focus each school year. This is not the same as a hybrid program.

How long is the school day?
Students should be studying during the same hours that the seat-based students are studying, 8:30-3:00 M-F (8:30-12:30 Thursdays). However, given the different schedules each homeschool family may have due to enrichment classes and family dynamics, student learning can be looked at in an overall sense of 30 hours per week, which includes time for recesses, snack, and lunch. 

Do we have to follow the CA standards?
Yes, but they are modified by the Alliance for Public Waldorf Schools to fit the Waldorf curriculum. You will receive access to these modified standards. You will also receive Waldorf goals/skills checklists for each grade level. If you’re following a Waldorf curriculum, you will cover everything needed.

Does my child have to take state testing?
Yes and no. Students grade 3 and up are highly recommended to take the test because we must have 95% of our students test or we lose our charter. Students K-2 do not have to test.

Do I have to use a curriculum for my child? Do I have to use a Waldorf curriculum?
We encourage Waldorf curriculum because that is the basis of our school. You must use a curriculum of some sort for each subject for your child’s grade level. We can discuss specifics in our LP meetings. Your teacher can help you plan your upcoming LP lessons. We cannot purchase religious curriculum, but you may use such curriculum for lessons that meet CA or Waldorf Alliance CA standards.

Is there SPED offered for homeschooled students?
Yes, though currently it must be done in person on campus. We cannot make an exception for this rule as it is our district’s rule. This may change for the 26-27 school year, but that isn’t guaranteed yet.

When does the new school year begin?
We are a modified year round program sponsored by the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District, so we must follow their schedule, which means we begin the first week of August, get two weeks off in October, another in November, two in December/January, two in March/April and end mid-June. We make the various schedules between Sparrow and Enrichment Programs work.

How do I sign up?
Go to the Sparrow Academy website and follow the links to enroll: https://sparrowschool.org/enrollment

Please reach out with further questions. This FAQ list will be updated from time to time.