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 accept international and traveling students where it is legal to do so, and where instruction is English-based. What is administrative support? 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 (PSA) and immunization reports. We provide relevant curriculum advice and resource suggestions. IS A PSP the same as AN UMBRELLA PROGRAM? 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. (PSP stands for Private School Satellite Program.) Charter schools are "home school" programs offered through a local Public School District with mandated state requirements such as immunizations and Common Core Curriculum. Charter school programs (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 |
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 online |
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.