WHAT GRADES ARE OFFERED AT HLA FOR THE 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR?

The Durham campus is grades K-8. We anticipate adding a grade or two each year until we reach our goal of K-12. The Apex campus remains K-8 for the 2018-2019 school year.

HOW MANY DAYS PER WEEK WILL MY CHILD BE IN THE CLASSROOM?

Two full days (roughly 7 hours/day) per week are spent on campus, and three days are spent in the satellite classroom (the home) for grades K-6. Starting in 7th grade students will transition to 3 days/week on campus; however, for our first year we will operate on a 2 day/week schedule, regardless of grade.

HOW MUCH TIME SHOULD MY CHILD EXPECT TO SPEND DOING SCHOOLWORK OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM?

As a general rule, your child should expect to spend about an hour outside the classroom for every hour spent inside the classroom, but each child is different based on his or her struggles and strengths.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN UMS AND HOMESCHOOL CO-OPS?

The University-Model School is recognized as a private school by the DNPE (Department of Non-Public Education). Children enrolled in a UMS are not considered homeschoolers. However, depending on availability, we will be offering a la carte classes to homeschool students. In this case, the child may receive credit for the course he takes, but he would not be eligible for a diploma from the school upon graduation.

WILL I HAVE TO PREPARE LESSONS AND TEACH ON THE HOME DAYS?

Parents are referred to as ‘co-teachers’ in the University-Model. Don’t let this terminology scare you! Professional educators will do all of the lesson-planning, preparation, and curriculum instruction. Your role as the co-teacher is best described as ‘private tutor’ in the elementary grades. You will help your child with work assigned and explained by the teacher, tutoring him in areas that may be more difficult for him. In junior high your role will become more of a ‘guide’, progressing to ‘course monitor’ in senior high. The goal of the UM is spiritual and academic independence, so your direct involvement will gradually decrease over time.

WILL THE CURRICULUM BE CLASSICAL?

Our goal is to lever the strengths of the classical model to most effectively teach courses such as history, literature, grammar and Bible. In the early grades, especially K-1, we will modify as needed to accomplish the most well-rounded, age-appropriate education. While we strive for academic excellence, the importance of choosing a curriculum that is both effective AND engaging is of utmost importance.