FAQ's
Q: What are your COVID policies?
A: We follow the law and the CDC guidelines (to the extent possible) in order to protect all.
- No one knows what the requirements for schools and educational groups will be in 2021-22.
- In the 20-21 school year, our students and staff handled wearing masks easily, and classrooms were set up with distancing.
- Our hope is that soon masks won't be needed!
Q: Do you or will you require students and staff to be vaccinated
A: No. That is a personal decision. However, many of our teachers and staff members are already vaccinated or in process with appointments.
Q: Are you a secular or religious group?
A: We do not claim either distinction. One of our primary reasons for creating Renaissance Academy (in 2013) was to have a blended group of families that is truly welcoming to all. If you've ever wondered "Why can't we all just get along?" we're happy to report that we can! We have always been and continue to be a "no drama" group. In that spirit, we ask that personal beliefs whether religious, political, social, etc. be respected. Our program is not the venue for personal platforms and no one should be pressuring another regarding differing viewpoints.
Q: Are there other unique or defining characteristics of your program?
A: We have a significant focus on character, personal responsibility, and being respectful and kind toward others. We have high (age appropriate) expectations for behavior and homework completion (to the best of the student's ability). We are also very much an "on time" group. Students are not allowed to go to class late and disrupt the learning of others who arrived on time. (Students who arrive late wait off site with a parent for that class hour and are welcome to return on time for the next class hour.)
Q: What is the cost to attend?
A: Due to tuition free School of Choice funding that is available to interested families, many students have a $0 or low self-pay tuition balance each year. 100% self-pay students are also welcome. All financial details are located here:
Q: Are parents required to teach classes or complete extensive volunteer requirements?
A: No. Renaissance Academy is not a co-op. Families have minimal volunteer requirements a few times each semester in areas such as morning set-up, afternoon take-down, or lunch supervision, etc. "One and Done" assignments are also possible for items such as building deep clean before each semester begins. Families that prefer may pay $100 per school year in lieu of on site assignments so that others may be paid to complete needed tasks.
Q: Do you have field trips and social activities?
A: Pre-COVID we had many field trips and social activities and cannot wait to do them again. Our wonderful parents often organize these events.
Q: What resources do you have for students with special needs?
A: If you have questions after attending a General Info Meeting, please contact us for specific needs of your student.
- We are a small organization and do not have the types of services you would find in a larger public school.
- One on one regular personal attention from the instructor is not possible with our limited time in the classroom.
- We do modify assignments as needed for students with dyslexia and other learning challenges.
- All students are required to behave appropriately in the classroom, follow instruction, work cooperatively with classmates, and are not permitted to disrupt the learning of others.
Q: My student is gifted/advanced, can he be placed in a higher grade level?
A: Many of our students are advanced and find that the grade grouping and hands on activities provide enough differentiation for advanced learners to go further. In extremely rare cases, if a student is advanced socially, emotionally, and academically and truly does not fit in their grade by age, grade advancement can be considered after the student has been with us for at least one semester. (Hybrid students are generally placed at academic level in math and language arts within one grade level.)
Q: My student is struggling, can he be placed in a lower grade level?
A: Oftentimes we are able to do this. Voluntary grade "hold backs" of one year are common for students with birthdates within 3 months of the cut off. As with grade advancement, placement for students outside of typical hold back ranges is an individualized process.
