We understand that choosing the right school for your child is an important decision. For those considering iCademy for their child, parent engagement is often a key requirement. While expectations change as your child ages, parental involvement is necessary at all grade levels.
Our parents love this aspect of attending iCademy. Getting to be intimately involved in your child’s education with the support of certified teachers is often very fulfilling for those considering homeschooling but feeling daunted by the work. Children who receive adequate support from their parents or other full-time learning coaches thrive in this learning environment.
Before you take the leap and decide to join iCademy, consider the time commitment required for every age level.
K-5: Create a Foundation
Parents of children ages K-5 can expect to facilitate learning for 4-6 hours every day. Children in this age group need the most support to be successful in their learning. This means that the adult learning coach (most often a parent) should be present for all live lessons, work side by side through daily homework assignments helping guarantee quality effort and accuracy, and ensure that the student is maintaining the same pace as the rest of the class.
As a parent, it is also crucial to maintain communication with the teacher. Parents need to review correspondence from the teacher in a timely manner, communicate with the teacher about concerns or emergencies which would cause absence, and attend conferences.
6-8: Encourage Independence
Parents of students in grades 6-8 should be prepared to be well-engaged in their child’s education, but likely won’t have to sit with them during live lessons to facilitate learning. Instead, parents should set expectations for attendance and check to make sure those expectations are met. They should also monitor the student’s progress daily to ensure that they are putting forth appropriate effort and keeping pace with the class.
In this grade range, parents should begin to encourage students to bring up questions and concerns to their teachers themselves. Your job will be to guide them through this process. Suggest they set meetings and communicate via email with their teachers on a regular basis. Encouraging independence at this age level will help to prepare them for high school and beyond.
9-12: Preparing for the Future
One of the things parents love about iCademy is how well we prepare students for continued education. In grades 9-12, students are expected to engage in their education. At the beginning of every year, parents should communicate with their child about the importance of attending lessons and turning in work in a timely manner. They should also check on the student daily to ensure they are making progress and keeping pace with the class.
Once the student has proven to be responsible with their attendance, parents can begin to check in weekly. It is important to ensure that the student maintains good attendance and is turning in assignments on time. Checking in weekly will give the student enough time to get caught up if they fall behind. This time frame also allows the student to take ownership over missed assignments and communicate with their teacher on their own.
iCademy is a rigorous, flexible educational opportunity for those seeking an alternative to brick-and-mortar schools. While we believe anyone can thrive here, it is important to consider the level of engagement you want to have in your child’s education!