SYCAMORE ACADEMY
Extensive Enrollment Package
Individualized Study Program
Professional Educational Guidance
Flexible School Year
Professional Quarterly Critiquing of Your Program
Maintenance of Cumulative Records
Year-end Standardized Testing and Evaluation
Easy Tuition Payments
Local Area Support Groups
Monthly Enrichment Packet
Student Body Cards
Certificate of Completion
Catalog Discount
Legal Services
Parent Responsibility
HIGH SCHOOL
Extensive Enrollment Package
Upon enrollment, you will receive a nice binder filled with information on how to teach,
choose curriculum, organize your day, make out lesson plans, issue grades, fill out the
quarterly progress reports, plan field trips, and much more. There are quarterly report
forms as well as all other school forms you will need to fill out for us. You will also
receive the Typical Course of Study which will list for you what children need to learn in
each subject area each year as well as a lesson plan book and information about our group
discount with the Home School Legal Defense Association.
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Individualized Study Program
We will assist you in developing an individualized program. No one knows better than you,
what your child's capabilities and limitations are. For that reason, we will work with you
in choosing a curriculum. You will receive a recommend materials list for each child you
are enrolling. Materials lists are based on your child's grade level and include both
catalog and non-catalog items with recommendations base on ability. We believe in a
multi-sensory approach, and for that reason, we offer choices for different types of
learners. In our program, you may use a textbook and workbook, directed study or a unit
necessary for you to purchase all your curriculum from Sycamore Academy. You may obtain
materials from publishers not represented by us and use them in your program. Another
advantage of this system is that you may borrow curriculum from friends or use items
"handed-down" from older siblings. Also, you may choose a Bible-based or secular
program. We require that you submit a list of materials being used for approval. Students
K-8 may enroll at any time. High School students must enroll at the beginning of a
semester (with the exception of the
online school).
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Professional Educational Guidance
Guidance is provided by phone or mail. We offer help with questions regarding choice of
materials, program structure, time schedules, lesson planning, teaching techniques,
evaluations, student problems, motivation, and presentation of lessons. We have even
helped parents work out math problems in order to explain them to their children! A
credentialed teacher is on staff during all office hours.
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Flexible School Year
You have a choice of a traditional or year-round program with Sycamore Academy. 180
school days are required, but these may be given at anytime. Tuition is only paid on a
10-month basis, September through June, even if your program extends into the summer.
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Professional Quarterly Critiquing of Your Program
Each quarter a credentialed teacher will review your lesson plans, student work samples
and progress reports and will send you a written evaluation. Occasionally she will call
you with special concerns. This teacher will be assigned to your family for the full year
for continuity and your optimum success.
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Maintenance of Cumulative Records
Family files are kept for progress reports, materials lists, health records, report cards,
test results, parent/teacher comments, etc. We will send for records from your child's
previous school (optional
for elementary students), and upon request, send them on with your accumulated Sycamore
Academy records as your child moves into another school environment.
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Year-end Standardized Testing and Evaluation
The Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills is provided to all enrolled students at no
additional cost. It will be evaluated by a professional scoring service or trained school
staff. Performance results are mailed to parents and a copy will become part of your
child's permanent record. We do not require children under the age of 8 to be tested, but
offer it at the request of the parent.
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Easy Tuition Payments
You do not need to pay your year's tuition all at once, but may divide it into 10 monthly
installments. Also, we offer a per-family fee rather than a per-child fee. There is no
limit to the number of children who may be enrolled from the same family for the basic
yearly tuition fee.
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Monthly Enrichment Packet
Every other month (September through June) we send a 60 to 80 page enrichment packet to all
enrolled families with children in kindergarten through 8th grade. There is a smaller
packet for high schoolers. The packet includes the following
types of information:
Answers to parent questions
Dates of important events
Educational freebies you can send for
Pen pals
Teaching units for academic areas
Activities to reinforce basic skills
Student worksheets
Recipes for your children to cook
Art and craft ideas
Seasonal and holiday projects
Teaching strategies
Ideas for motivation and discipline
Helps to avoid parent burnout
Reprints of excellent educational articles
Inspirational thoughts
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Student Body Cards
Each student receives a nice photo ID student body card identifying him/her as a student
in Sycamore Academy private school. This is useful for obtaining student discounts, and
also gives the child a feeling of "belonging." In addition, we send birthday
cards to all our students!
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Certificate of Completion
At the end of the school year, each child receives a lovely certificate with his/her name
written in Calligraphy. It indicates completion of the school program for that year and is
suitable for framing.
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Catalog Discount
All enrolled families receive a 10% discount on all catalog items that begin with a
letter.
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Legal Services
A group plan with a discount group rate is provided through Home School Legal Defense
Association. This organization provides support and legal aid when public personnel
question your homeschooling. It is strongly recommended that you join this group although
it is not required.
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PARENT RESPONSIBILITY
Parents are responsible to provide an appropriate area for instruction/study and
materials. Each parent needs to allocate daily teacher-directed time during school hours
as needed for student success. Adequate lesson plans must be maintained for teacher
guidance and program review. Parents are responsible to correct children's work and assign
grades. Reports will be provided to Sycamore Academy at the end of each quarter and
include lesson plans, student work samples, and quarterly progress reports. Parents will
also
administer tests and keep attendance records. With the online school, no
lesson plans or reports are required.
HIGH SCHOOL WITH SYCAMORE ACADEMY
ALL OF THE ABOVE PLUS...
High School Diploma
Upon completion of the high school program and demonstrated performance on proficiency
tests, the student receives a diploma, printed in gold. Students with Sycamore Academy
diploma have attended many colleges, universities, and entered the armed forces. All high
school classes must be documented, either by us or by the previous school. Credit for
classes taken at local Junior Colleges may also be applied to the high school graduation
requirements. We also give credit for work experience.
High School Transcript
Upon graduation or transfer, Sycamore Academy will provide a transcript. This
accredited transcript
has been recognized by public and private schools as well as many colleges and
universities around the nation.
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Extra Services
We will write letters of recommendation to your
insurance for good student discount qualification.
We will help you obtain work permits.
We will help your child enroll in a local Junior
College to take classes.
We will supply high school students with our ID Code
for proficiency tests and college exams.
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Enrollment Requirements
We accept high school students only at the beginning of a semester with the exception of
the online school. Online classes may be started at any time. For students enrolling
in our high school program, you must either begin in the 9th grade or transfer from
another school in order to receive a diploma from us. We cannot give credit for classes
taken in homeschool unless they are backed by another program.
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