Homeschooling in California?

​branson academy is an administrative PSP or private school satellite program.  What does that mean?

It means your home school is a satellite of our private school.  We provide administrative support and a legal covering for your family in California and other states which recognize PSPs.  We also accept international and traveling students where it is legal to do so, and where instruction is English-based.

What is administrative support?
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Think of us as the Admissions Office for your home school, with a bit of the school counselor, assistant principal, and ad hoc teacher development advisor thrown in! We maintain all the student records including processing transfers and cumulative records, attendance, grades and transcripts, and health records.  We file the annual R-4 and immunization reports, and provide relevant curriculum advice and resource suggestions.

IS A PSP the same as AN UMBRELLA PROGRAM?
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Yes. A PSP is also known as an umbrella program because students are "under the umbrella" or covering of that private school.

IS A PRIVATE SCHOOL SATELLITE PROGRAM THE SAME AS A CHARTER SCHOOL?

No.  A PSP is a program offered through a Private School.  Charter schools are "home school" or independent  study programs offered through the Public School system with mandated state requirements such as immunizations and Common Core Curriculum. Charter schools (including online charter schools) receive state and federal funding for the number of students enrolled. 

COMPARE 

BRANSON ACADEMY ​Private school satellite program	CALIFORNIA CHARTER SCHOOL Public school home study or independent study program
Private	Public
Tuition Based	Uses Federal, State, and County Funding
Common Core not required  -  Parents choose curriculum to best meet student needs	Uses Common Core Standards
Year Round Option	Traditional Nine-Month Calendar
Parent Instructor ​- may use tutors, group classes, online courses, and other educational aids to meet student needs	Parent instructor with charter school teacher/ISP staff oversight
Annual study plan and quarter reports - uploaded to online folder	Monthly or weekly parent/teacher meetings and assignments
Manages state mandated student records and cumulative files	Retains student cumulative files and records for state
Parent access to records - online, year-round	None, or limited
Immunization waiver accepted - per legislation effective 2016-17 exempting private school satellite programs	Immunization required.  Personal Belief exemption not accepted.
Student progresses at own pace - monitored by parent	Student progresses as determined by charter school instructor or ISP staff recommendations
Encourages and supports learning for all students based on student levels, individual learning styles, and student interest. Encourages adaptation for special needs	Requires IEP for Special Needs, encourages students to meet state mandated objectives and learning outcomes
Dual enrollment forms processed for high school students	Determined by staff

*Four legal options for homeschooling in California are as follows:  enroll in a public Independent Study Program or charter school, file an R-4 annually and maintain all records for your own private school, hire a credentialed tutor, or enroll in a private school satellite program (PSP) such as ours.  The state of Washington requires homeschoolers to register with a PSP in that state.  We do not enroll students residing in Washington.  Check your state requirements for homeschooling before enrolling.  We do accept international homeschool students if instruction is English-based.