This is our F.A.Q. Please read it!
We’re going to keep this F.A.Q. pretty simple because it is simple! But will answer a lot of questions that are asked.
Pricing for everything is listed here and on the enrollment page near the bottom.
Truant Officers/Public Officials
How to deal with truant officers or school officials after you enroll in a church school? A: DEALING WITH TRUANT/ATTENDANCE OFFICERS
Not everyone deals with truant officers, but on the occasion, someone could show up. Usually, it’s just the lack of checking with the superintendent about enrollment. So, this is what you do if you’re being bothered by school officials/truant officers.
Should you happen to find yourself in the situation where you have a truant officer or attendance officer at your door you should take some simple steps to send them on their way.
Steps:
- Always make sure you know what the law is and what is required by the parent as a home educator.
- If a public official has come to your home always ask them for a business card, ID number, badge number, and name.
- Ask this person if they’re aware of the homeschool law and that your children are enrolled under the cover of a church school. Ask if they have checked with the Superintendent’s office? Because that’s where your church school enrollment form was sent. Realistically any Public School Official or Truancy Officer should know the law already!
- Sometimes, these people can be rude and direct but often wrong. If they’re persistent and bothersome, explain that you can submit another form to the B.O.E.
- If they ask you for documents of any kind, just tell them that the law is clear and you’re only required to submit your church school enrollment form to the B.O.E. and not required to give them to anyone else and they really aren’t supposed to request them.
- If they still are being pushy or demanding, give them our email address, business address, and tell them to direct their requests to you and Alabama Learning Academy in writing. Direct all contact to the Church School Administrators! (Marie or Cassandra)
- Finally, if you had to go through all of the above steps you should contact your local Superintendent’s office and make sure that they still have a copy of your church school enrollment form is still on file in their office. If it is, as it should be, ask them why their truancy officers are wasting their time, my time, and time, in general, investigating someone whose legally homeschooling with Alabama’s Law!
Which isn’t a bad idea! They would just tell anyone if they came out to see the window. I laughed so hard about that, she never had a problem though. It was her first time and she didn’t want to deal with anything outside of enrolling and home educating her son. We need to keep it as simple and easy as possible so we can do what we have to as parents!
Remember to NEVER give up your rights in any way, if you do so we’ll no longer be able to cover you should serious legal issues arise.
Not one person is entitled to a copy of CSEF, this includes teachers, counselors, and principals. They are NOT legally entitled to a copy! Once you’re enrolled with Alabama Learning Academy you are no longer under that school’s policy and you aren’t required to give them anything other than a withdrawal slip (but only after you’ve enrolled somewhere else for school). This includes any paperwork from your child(ren)’s enrollment. Always but respectfully be firm with their requests.
You must always keep a copy of your CSEF in a safe place this is a requirement because you should be able to find it if you need it!
General Inquiry Questions
How do I contact Alabama Learning Academy?
You can contact the church school via phone, email, and text messaging.
Alabama Learning Academy
833 Ewell Rd
Slocomb, AL 36375
(334)231-2301
Administrator@
When does the school year start and end?
Our New school year begins on August 1st, and it ends on June 1st. You can make your schedule any time of the year. We just select start and end dates so we can have a summer break too! You can continue to homeschool right through that if that’s how you do it!
Is there a specific enrollment/re-enrollment time?
Yes! You should enroll/re-enroll between June 1st and August 1st each year. If you enroll after that time it’s a late enrollment.
How many days per year is my child required to homeschool?
You’re required 180 days per year. Our school year is 365 days per year, so you shouldn’t have an issue with completing 180 days.
How many hours per day should we homeschool?
This is up to you, I would recommend at least 3 hours.
Here is a little more information on how long per ages.
1st Grade to 3rd Grade: On average around two hours a day.
1st to 3rd graders should homeschool at least two hours a day. Most parents homeschool their 5 or 6-year-old at least two hours a day, and then 3rd grade should be at least three hours a day.
4th Grade through 6th Grade: On average three hours per day
Students that are in 4-6th grade should do at least three hours a day.
7th Grade through 9th Grade: On average four to five hours per day
Students in these grades are learning a lot more and sometimes require a little bit more time, I would recommend four to five hours per day.
10th Grade through 12th Grade: Around six to seven hours per day
The students in high school grades may need a little more time per day. As they get older and have more activities; like a part-time job. They may have to work extra hours on the days they’re homeschooling. Sometimes, they end up homeschooling on the weekends to make up for any missed days. Which is Great!
Is there a specific curriculum I should use or do I have to use a core curriculum?
Absolutely Not! You decide what works best for your family! You can use any kind of curriculum you want to use.
The law says that all schools, but not church schools are required to follow a specific curriculum, basically. Church schools aren’t included in, those A: rules! You have the right to teach and educate your child as you see fit! Although, it’s important to learn reading, math, history, science, etc. But how and what you teach is your choice! This is what the law says:
- Private schools, but not church schools, are required to use the English language in giving instruction. Code of Alabama 1975 16-28-1(1).
- Private schools, but not church schools, are required to offer instruction in several branches of study required to be taught in public schools. Code of Alabama 1975 16-28-1(1).
State Regulation of Private Schools
- Private schools, but not church schools, must provide a physical education program that conforms to the program outlined by the Alabama Department of Education. Code of Alabama 1975 16-40-1
Do church schools provide curriculum? Specificially does ALA Provide Curriculum?
Some may have their own programs they might offer, but most do not. We do NOT offer any programs. Your child’s education is your responsibility so You should be buying some kind of curriculum for them. We can direct you to a list of paid and free curriculum!
When should I withdraw my students from their current school?
After you’ve enrolled in a church school or another school. This protects you because you’re no longer under that school’s policy and do NOT have to show or prove anything to that school!
Being fully enrolled consists of submitting your CSEF to your local Board of Education.
What counties do we cover?
The entire state of Alabama! We’re a state-wide cover school!
Do I have to attend any meetings as a requirement?
No, that’s one thing we don’t force. We cover the state of Alabama. It can be difficult to get us all together.
The only thing you're required to do is re-enroll, teach your students, and stay connected with us online via Members area and any groups we have created. Right now just the website.
Is Alabama Learning Academy an accredited school?
No, church schools do not require accreditation.
Code of Alabama 1975, 16-28-24: exemptions are applied to church schools from state regulations or laws governing public and private schools.
Are there any statues or laws that require a church school to be accredited?
No, Church schools are exempt from these regulations. There are no requirements on church school teachers being certified or that a church school is accredited by a state or government agency. They have NO authority to regulate church schools.
What age is a child required to be enrolled in school?
Every child between the ages of seven and 16 is required to attend a public school, private school, church school, or be instructed by a private tutor certified by the state of Alabama, for the entire length of the school term in every scholastic subject under the compulsory attendance law. Code of Alabama 1975 16-28-3.
Enrollment/Membership Questions
What do I have to submit to Alabama Learning Academy through the year or ever?
You are required to enroll and re-enroll. Update us with any changes in your address, phone, or email. You must submit a new church school enrollment form and a Family Info Form if your address changes. If your phone or email changes you should send us an email from your original email if possible confirming any update to phone and/or email address. You can update only the phone and email via the contact page on our site.
What if I was previously enrolled and I missed the enrollment deadline of August 1st!
You’ll need to contact us immediately before we send out your dismissal to the B.O.E. If we don’t know you’re going to reenroll then we’ll send it the B.O.E. the dismissal. We have to by law, but if you speak with us and let us know when you will be enrolling and as long as it’s before August 10th, we'll wait. But if enrollment hasn't been completed by that date the dismissal will be sent to Local BOE!
How can I track my child’s grades and attendance?
There are websites out there that you can use for homeschooling like Time4Learning They keep track of your days, hours, minutes, grades, test scores, etc.
You can also look online for neat print outs for your record keeping. We're working on some, but it may take us a little while. We're not professional form makers! 🙂 I hope you understand.
What happens if I do not re-enroll by August 1st?
ALA will report your dismissal to your local Board of Education. If you can’t enroll by that date, contact us and we’ll just rearrange for you to enroll as a new enrollment without sending your dismissal to the Board of Education. If you let us know your re-enrollment will be delayed, that's fine. However, it cannot go past August 15th. All Renewals must be on or before August 15th!
What is the cost to enroll as a new family?
The cost of all the students in your household is $65 per year. No per-child fees.
What is the cost to re-enroll?
When you re-enroll the cost is $65 per year.
Is there a fee for late new enrollments?
NO, the fee is just $65 per year, per household. If you enroll and it's May, you'll still have to re-enroll between June 1st and August 1st, but no later than the 15th!
What is a late enrollment, what makes me late?
Enrollment time is June 1st through August 1st, if you enroll outside of those months, it’s a late enrollment, and even if you enroll in April, you’ll have to re-enroll again between June 1st and August 1st.
Is there a per child fee when enrolling?
NO, we do not have any extra fees for adding a student/child later after you've enrolled. Our fee is a flat $65 per year, per HOUSEHOLD.
Will you submit my church school enrollment form to the Board of Education for me?
You are required by law to submit the Church School Enrollment Form. We have a Board of Education List located inside of our Member's area.
Can we enroll if we experience legal issues?
No, we’d rather not have any legal issues. Get them cleared up and then you can enroll.
Legal issues we’re referring to are DHR/CPS involvement, truancy issues, custody issues, criminal issues, and any other issues regarding family legalities. If you do not inform us of any legal issues it can and will result in immediate dismissal. No questions asked and NO refunds. However, your dismissal will depend on the severity of your legal issues. We want you to homeschool, but you have to be honest with us!
Are there any memberships I am required to have if I enroll with ALA?
Actually, we prefer it if you enroll with HSLDA.org, but it’s not a requirement. There are no other required memberships other than being enrolled with Alabama Learning Academy.
Do I have to attend any specific church to be a member of the Alabama Learning Academy?
No, you do not. That’s one of the benefits of enrolling in our church school.
Payment Questions
How can I pay enrollment fees?
Right now, we’re only accepting electronic payments via PayPal/credit/debit cards. To pay via CC/DC you simply scroll down just a little bit on the PayPal payment page and select Credit or Debit Card to complete payment.
You do not require a PayPal account to make this payment if you follow the directions listed.
After you enroll you’ll receive an email within 24 hours or next business day if it's the weekend with your welcome letter and your administrator signed church school enrollment form for each student you've enrolled. You’ll also receive hard copies of these documents via postal mail, too.
Will you prorate my enrollment fee?
No, we do not prorate any fees and there are NO refunds. Once payment is received your children will be enrolled!
What Am I Responsible For As A Parent?
Do I take my child anywhere for classes after enrolling?
NO! You’re responsible for the education of your children now. You must teach them.
Responsibility
Parents are responsible for their child(ren)’s education. ALA supports non-traditional academic activity schedules, eclectic, traditional philosophies of academic education, unschooling, and more. You should read and research what fits yourself and your family’s needs the best.
