FAQ
CHD Philosophy
What is CHD Academy?
CHD is an organization designed to support and encourage families who desire to educate their children at home from a Christian classical perspective. CHD is not a private or public school, a charter school, or a Private Satellite Program (PSP). The main vision of CHD is to coordinate volunteer or hired tutors to provide a rigorous sequence of group tutorials. CHD also provides a place where homeschool parents can use their talents to lead co-op enrichment classes in history, science, math, and physical education. None of the co-ops, study groups, or tutorials is designed to be a stand-alone class or to fulfill complete subject requirements for any homeschool course. CHD does not give formal credit for classes taken. When possible, CHD will also sponsor classical seminars for further enrichment, administer the National Latin Exam, Exploratory Latin Exam, or standardized tests (such as SAT 10), and provide opportunities for parents to share their experiences educating their children from a Christian classical perspective. All the above efforts facilitate a family’s pursuit of a Christian, classical education for their child, but does not replace or supplant the parent(s) as the core and primary educators of their child/children.
What are parent involvement expectations on class days?
While tutors lead the tutorials, the main instructor of all subjects continues to be the individual homeschool parent. The group tutorial offers scope and sequencing guidance, enrichment, encouragement, and a place for questions to be answered. The homeschool parent/teacher conducts at-home assignments and readings, uses any quiz or homework assignments to calculate a grade for her student and guides the mastering of concepts introduced in the tutorials. Parents are, therefore, encouraged to quietly observe the tutorials in order to become better equipped to lead the lessons at home. On class days, parents are involved in various ways, such as the following: Tutors, Class Assistants, Substitutes, Crossing Guards for PE, and more. Parents should expect to have a regular assignment for most of the periods in class day. All parents are rotated as Emergency Substitutes during the class hours their students are enrolled, and they are not otherwise assigned. Parents should expect two or three emergency sub assignments per open class period each semester.
Can I drop my child off and leave the campus during a class period?
Yes, however, no child in 8th grade or under may be on campus without a responsible adult present before and after formal class times and during any transition times between tutorials. In other words, if your child is enrolled in sequential classes, you (or another responsible adult specifically tasked to care for your child) must be present during the 10-minute transition period between classes. This strict rule is to ensure safety, to honor the staff at the three facilities who graciously allow us use, and to underscore the fundamental nature of courses at CHD – they are part of your homeschool, not drop-off classes. For more information, please see the “Parent Responsibility Form” that must be signed and submitted with your registration.
Can my unenrolled child be on campus?
No children are allowed to be in a class in which they are not registered. You must leave the facility with unenrolled students when classes are in session. There is a nice park right across the street and a lovely shopping mall with a Peet’s Coffee and a Jamba Juice a few minutes away on foot. There is a study hall available for students in 3rd grade and above. Parents are welcome to sit in that study hall with their children and monitor quiet work. As much as possible, CHD will make an effort to have classes available for siblings, but because of space limitations, we may not be able to accommodate everyone.
Is it possible to do CHD and other co-ops simultaneously?
It is possible to do CHD alongside other co-ops, but it is not recommended. The workload that CHD gives is expected to take the remaining days of the week, and an overloaded student is typically not a smarter student, but a stressed student.
Who chooses the curriculum?
The department heads and lead teachers choose the curriculum for their area of oversight. But there are myriad resources that the teachers add to the classes, and there is great freedom and variation between one class and another. Teachers do, however, make an attempt to cooperate in planning so that in the younger grades the same chapters are being covered at the same time. This alleviates some of the work for the parents (i.e., a 2nd and 4th grader would be reading the same material during the same week).
How are the subjects determined?
Latin, chronological history, and classical writing are hallmarks of the Christian classical tradition, so these are the backbone of CHD coursework. Math and science have been added because there is a general interest among the families. PE grew out of a necessity for the kids to “get the wiggles out” and has become one of the most popular classes we offer.
Why are math and science halved?
Since we only meet once a week, we have to make the most of the time we have. In order to do this, we split the last period between math and science. Historically, this has been a very workable solution.
What is classical homeschooling?
Classical homeschooling, in brief, is a system of education that encompasses the grammar (understanding), logic (evaluating) and rhetoric (expressing opinion) Trivium in its application. For more on this, Susan Wise Bauer’s The Well Trained Mind or Dorothy Sayer’s essay, “The Lost Tools of Learning,” are two good sources, among many, that will further expound the foundational ideas of classical learning. A helpful website to explore is www.circeinstitute.org.
Is your child required to turn in homework?
Students in second grade may receive homework, and third grade and beyond should expect homework. At earlier levels, there is an expectation that your child is working through a specific curriculum. Your child will thrive when he/she stays on top of completing the required coursework. But, again, you are in charge of your child’s education. You decide what is best for your child. Lead teachers are not grading, but rather, evaluating the homework. So, while your child will not receive a grade, he/she will receive commentary on homework that should provide a good litmus for evaluation. Do keep in mind, though, that if a child is falling too far behind and is not at least able to keep up with class, a dialogue will be opened between the lead teacher and you.
Why does Latin start in 3rd grade at CHD and at the local private school it begins in 2nd grade?
There are several reasons for this decision, but they all revolve around the issue of readiness. Intensive Latin instruction cannot begin until a child has a grasp of basic English grammar. Therefore, all of our Latin instruction before grade 6 is considered “pre-Latin” or “Latin Prep.” Three years of pre-Latin is sufficient to prepare a student for the more intensive instruction that begins in 6th grade.
What are the homework policies and practices at CHD?
Homework is evaluated, not graded. In other words, you are responsible for determining what marks your child should receive. The lead teachers will give tests, will correct the work, will give commentary, but, ultimately, will not grade your child’s work.
What is CHD’s faith affiliation? Is there a doctrinal statement?
CHD is distinctively Christian. We have a Statement of Faith (available on the website) that would be characterized as Protestant Evangelical; however, our families come from a broad array of Christian faith traditions.
Do I have to be a Christian to teach at CHD?
Yes. We ask that our lead teachers sign our Statement of Faith (SoF). We do have an option to acknowledge rather than agree with the SoF for some positions. Particularly, in the interest of excellence in Latin, we may hire a non-Christian to teach upper levels of Latin who acknowledges rather than endorses the Statement of Faith. Although we prefer the instructor to sign a Statement of Faith, if necessary, we accept a signature that merely acknowledges the Statement of Faith.
Does my child have to be a Christian to attend CHD?
No, but like all families at CHD, we expect our students to respect the Statement of Faith and not work actively to undermine our foundational principles.
What if my child is disobedient to teachers at CHD?
If the disobedience is an egregious and ongoing pattern, parents will be required to sit in the classroom to monitor the child’s behavior. If the behavior continues to disrupt, the parent will be asked to withdraw the child from CHD.
Is my child guaranteed a spot at CHD if we have been in it the previous year? Latin is the placeholder at CHD. Your child does have priority in registration if your child attended in previous years. But Latin is the keystone of our program, so if your child opts not to take Latin, priority might be subjugated to allow a student who is interested in Latin to take his/her place.
How do I register for classes?
Formal registration begins after you have received an invoice from the CHD administrator detailing your class choices for the upcoming year.You then need to go through an online registration process where you fill out the appropriate documents for registration.On this website you will be asked to sign up for a user account. Once you set up your account, you can bookmark this page and return to it at your leisure without going through the sign in process.
Roles at CHD
How is a lead teacher qualified to teach a subject?
CHD’s philosophy for lead teachers is no different than that for ourselves as homeschool parents. Through grammar, logic, and rhetoric, we are training the mind in the art of learning. The qualification for this job is only that our lead teachers immerse themselves in the subject, that they might be always, at least only slightly ahead of their students, and that they prepare themselves for conveying the subject effectively.
How are lead teachers and assistants chosen?
Lead teachers are chosen based not only on expressed desire to teach a certain subject, but the needs of CHD as a whole, and willingness to teach that subject. Lead assistants are chosen in the same way.
What is expected of you, as the parent?
In that CHD Academy is a cooperative education day, every parent is expected to participate. That means that even in the event that you are not assigned a lead teaching or assisting role, you will be assigned to some sort of rotation or substitution role. Beyond that, you will be expected to remain connected to your children’s teachers through email or phone, assisting your children as they navigate the various courses. You are your child’s primary educator. So, expanding what is taught by the lead teacher and upholding the lead teacher’s expectations (within what is reasonable for your family) is part of your job.
What is a Lead Teacher?
The lead teachers are fellow parents who are teaching your children the particular subjects. Every year, lead teachers are assigned by the President based on expressed interest and current needs.
I am a Lead Teacher. Will I have access to AV equipment if I have educational materials I would like to show? Do I have wi-fi access for other needs?
You will have access to a projector, on a first-come/first-served basis. There is, unfortunately, no wi-fi access at CHD.
What is a Lead Assistant?
A lead assistant is a fellow parent who has been assigned to be in a particular class every time it meets. The lead assistant is expected to help the lead teacher in whatever way the lead teacher requires. In the event that a lead teacher is absent, the lead assistant is usually expected to fill the lead teacher role, and another substitute fills the assistant role.
What is a Rotating Assistant?
In classes that have not had a volunteer for a lead assistant, a rotating assistant is assigned based on the students in the class. For instance, if there are four children in a particular class, the parents of those children are assigned certain weeks that they will be responsible to assist the lead teacher. In a class of four children, the rotating assistants will be assigned to assist every fourth week.
What is the procedure for getting substitute teachers? And what is an Emergency Substitute?
In the event that a lead teacher is unexpectedly unable to make it to CHD, the lead assistant will step up to take on the lead role, and an assistant will be assigned from the substitutions list for that day. The lead teacher needs to let the board member in charge of rotations (currently Nellwyn Ly) know of the absence. All parents will be emergency substitutes on certain days. When the assigned day rolls around, the parent is required to sign into the binder on the table at the start of the class time to which she/he is assigned. If there is no class needing added help that day, then the parent is released from duty. If there is help needed during that time slot, the parent will find the assignment on the sign-in sheet at the CHD table. If the helper sub is not already assigned, he/she should put on the emergency substitute name tag and wait for 15 minutes at the information table to be sure that there are no needs that hour.
If I am a Lead Teacher, is my child allowed to help me in class?
With approval from the President, your child, under certain circumstances, is allowed to help in class.
Do Lead Teachers have to pay for curriculum for my class?
Lead teachers will be given a budget for their classes and will be allowed to spend the budget as is fitting for the needs of the class.
Can Lead Teachers give gifts and snacks to my students in class?
Lead teachers are given a great deal of freedom in the way they conduct class.
Gifts and snacks are based on the lead teachers’ discretion.
To whom do I turn in used curriculum at the end of the year?
If you are a lead teacher and have curriculum that you bought for the CHD school day, we ask that you pass it along to the following year’s teacher or else hang on to it for future years at CHD.
Is each Lead Teacher and Assistant required to get a background check?
No. Running background checks would increase the cost of CHD but not increase the security of our kids. We protect our students and teachers by making sure (especially in the younger grades) that there are at least two adults in the class at all times. Additionally, the open-door-to-parents policy of parental involvement in the classes ensures that there is very little opportunity for bad behavior.
CHD Procedures
How do children get from one class to the next?
Older children will be able to walk from one class to the next. Younger children (first grade and under) are assisted between classes, typically, by the class assistant. When the younger children remain in the particular spot for the next class hour, the assistant stays with the children until the next lead teacher arrives.
How do children use the restroom or get a drink during any point in the day? For younger children, the assistant in the classroom will take them to get a drink or use the restroom. The assistant must always escort at least two children at a time. However, lead teachers do request that your child use the restroom BEFORE class.
What is a CHD mailbox and WHERE is it?
Every parent has a “mailbox,” which is essentially a file located on the CHD table in the courtyard. The mailboxes are added ways that CHD and other teachers convey materials to one another. Every parent is expected to check the mailboxes regularly.
Will teachers be taking the children off-campus during the day?
All PE classes take place off-campus, typically at Pleasant Hill Park. Beyond that, there are times when teachers take field trips, or walks, sometimes to City Hall to look at the fish pond, other times, to downtown Pleasant Hill. You will be notified when the teacher is planning to take your children off-campus.
How do I communicate with anyone from CHD?
You can communicate through all the typical forms that are listed in the address book. If you have a CHD-wide communiqué, then it can be sent through the Yahoo groups loop, which is moderated by the President.
What are the class times on a CHD day?
- 8:30-8:50 Memory Assembly
- 8:55-10:10 First class
- 10:20-11:20 Second class
- 11:30-12:30 Third class
- 12:30-1 Lunch
- 1:05-2:05 Fourth class
- 2:15-3:30 Fifth class
Do I have to be on campus all day?
When you are NOT on campus, you must have a “responsible parent,” known to your children be your parent-in-proxy.
Where can I park?
Parking spaces in the small Grace Bible Church lot located to the left of GBC when facing the front of the building are assigned. Unless you have an assigned spot, there is no CHD parking there. You may park on the streets around CHD or at the Faith Lutheran Campus or at Pleasant Hill Park, if your student has classes there.
Where are all the classes of CHD located?
Grace Bible Church, Faith Lutheran Church, and Pleasant Hill Park are campuses for CHD activity.
Can my family members and friends come and observe class? Regular observation of class by outside adults is not allowed. If you have a family member or friend who is interested in CHD, there is some allowance for this with approval from the President.
How do I call in student absences?
Student absences do not need to be recorded. However, it is considerate to alert your children’s teachers through email of the expected absence.
What if one of my children is sick but not my others?
If you are planning to send the remaining children to CHD, you must have an assigned “responsible parent” of whom the children know, in order to stay home with your child.
Are there any prohibited items that my child should not wear or bring on campus?
CHD is a hat-free zone. In addition, in order to keep the environment debris-free and allergen-free, please don’t allow your children to have gum, peanut products, popcorn, or cupcakes. Common sense is to rule the day on what not to bring on campus.
What does Student Council do?
Student Council, as at any traditional school, is a board of students, elected by students, to work together with the President of CHD to run certain events, as the STUCO (Student Council) Bake Sales. Student Council is essentially a forum for students to practice servant leadership.
Where does the money go that I pay for CHD?
The money goes toward facility rentals, insurance, accountant, attorney and sundry fees, group meetings, and classroom supplies.
Is eating allowed in class?
This depends on each teacher.
Am I responsible for paying for curriculum required for class?
Every year a class requirements list is published and contains the pertinent curricula required for each class. Parents can order/purchase the curricula according to their child’s classes. Teachers will also communicate with parents to let them know the class requirements.
Is CHD a vendor for Visions or other charter schools?
CHD is not a vendor. It is a faith-based organization, and as such, would not be admissible.
Is there some sort of check-in/out procedure at the beginning and end of the day?
There is no procedure in place for this since that parent is expected to be present or nearby all day.
What is a buy-out?
A buy-out is when a parent does not have the flexibility to be an emergency substitute. Once the helper sub schedule is published for the year, she may buy out of her assignments for $10/period.
What is a buy-in?
After the emergency substitute schedule is published, a parent may also buy-in by working additional emergency substitute slots for $10/period. The buy-in program is what allows the buy-out program to work.
What is Webex?
Webex is a web-based application that allows for a teacher to teach class online. The Latin classes, along with a few other classes at CHD, interface with this system on a day outside of Mondays.
What is Quizlet?
Quizlet is a website that is utilized by the Latin teachers and others at CHD. It has a number of facts and concepts and the students are encouraged to use the website for enhancement of study.
What is the age range of CHD classes?
CHD has infants through 8th grade.
Can I have my child skip a grade or stay back at CHD?
While CHD does encourage you to keep your child at grade-level, there are exceptions to this and you are the one who dictates those exceptions.
What is JCL, Certamen, Fellowship Night?
JCL is Junior Classical League. CHD students voluntarily participate. The program allows for students to attend various educational activities with one another.
Certamen is the JCL Latin competition in which CHD participates along with other schools within the State.
Fellowship Nights are held periodically for CHD parents to get together outside of CHD to enjoy one another’s company and sharpening.
Should I have my own homeschooling curriculum IN ADDITION to CHD requirements, or if I ONLY do CHD curriculum, is that enough schooling for my child?
You are in charge of your child’s education. Your philosophy of how best to accomplish the goals of classical education is dependent on you. Most parents in the early years at CHD do add in their own curriculum to their school weeks. Almost all parents add in at least math, and CHD recommends that you do a separate grammar curriculum. Parents of older students have to take into account the inevitable increase in workload of CHD, and make their determinations therefrom.
If I have a nursery/preschool-aged child, am I expected to provide diapers, wipes, playpen, snacks, etc., for my child?
Yes. CHD has been graciously given the use of the nursery/preschool class at Grace Bible Church. But given the variety of needs of children in this age-range, it is expected that parents provide for those needs for each week.
My child has a medical need. Is there a way for me to be sure that he/she is attended, if I am busy on campus?
If your child has a medical need, we trust that it is best that you tend to that need. You will be assigned to be in the place where your child is. You should communicate the situation to each of your child’s teachers.
My child has learning disabilities. Will the teacher(s) be able to modify expectations for my child?
If your child has a learning disability, you are expected to work with your child to convey the lead teacher’s expectations. Lead teachers are certainly sympathetic to this and will work with you on how to best cater to your child’s needs, but there are presiding limitations, primarily the needs of the rest of the class. Please let the teacher know about your child’s limitations so he/she can be sensitive to that in the context of the class.
Are there ways for me to get discounts to be able to attend CHD?
There are discounts available for a variety of volunteer jobs, most commonly lead teaching positions. In a typical year CHD is blessed financially to be able to provide assistance to families in need outside of the volunteer discounts. A financial aid application is available to fill out at registration time.
Will I have class options for my child(ren)?
CHD classes are offered a la carte, so you are able to sign your children up for whatever classes CHD offers.
When and where do the tutorials meet?
A detailed listing of the CHD tutorials is in a separate attachment. Please confirm your class selections before filling out your registration documents to make sure there is still space available in the tutorial or study group for which you would like to register. Tutorials meet on Mondays throughout the 2018-2019 school year at Grace Bible Church (40 Cleaveland, Pleasant Hill), the Pleasant Hill Park Teen Center (147 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill) or Faith Lutheran (50 Woodworth Lane, Pleasant Hill).
What do the tutorials cost?
Each class has its own pricing. There are no sibling discounts. CHD does not accept charter school monies. However, we do offer need-based financial aid. Class fees include cost of the tutor, and facility rental, and classroom supplies. It does not include the curriculum for students. Your $25 deposit per CORE bundle, class, or study hall is due in mid-June, with the specific date published annually. This deposit holds your spot and is non-refundable and non-transferrable (to other classes or people). Your balance is due by the first day of classes. Partial refunds (less the deposit) are available in the first two weeks of the 1st semester. After that date, any dropped tutorials are not refundable.
Is there any Financial Aid available?
Yes, if your family has financial need, please contact Carrie Jensen personally at carriejensenchd@gmail.com or 925-286-3570. The Financial Aid Application is available on the CHD website. We can also arrange a payment plan, which runs from July – Nov. Pre-dated checks are given to the treasurer in June and are deposited monthly.
How do I order the required texts for the course?
Required texts for each tutorial are not included in the course fees. When you are registered in a class, the lead teacher will contact you with information about purchasing the required texts. Also, CHD publishes a Required Curriculum document in the last spring. Upper level Latin materials will be ordered as a group.
Who runs CHD?
CHD is run by an Executive Board. Currently, the members are:
- Amy Wenslawski
CHD Academy 