Greenwood Christian School Home Educators Association Greenwood Christian School Home Educators Association Greenwood Christian School Home Educators Association Greenwood Christian School Home Educators Association
 

FAQs



Q:

How are you related to Greenwood Christian School?

A:

We have had a close relationship with Greenwood Christian School since 1996.  Originally, we were under the leadership of GCS as a ministry of the school.  Within a few years, we separated and formulated our own by-laws, managed our finances, and continued to govern our association by a board of volunteer home school parents. GCS has continued to allow our students to participate in part time classes, retreats, field days, Senior trips to Europe, athletics, Junior/Senior prom and more.  Some of our members attend half time at GCS and half time at home...others take one or two classes, and many take none at all.  Our relationship with GCS has been very helpful for those who would like to supplement their homeschooling with additional Christian coaching and teaching. 

Q:

How much documentation do you require?

A:

Our paperwork is simple.   In August, January and June members fill out a Parent Report Card. This includes noting each subject, percentage completed and a grade.  Elementary grades can use Satisfactory, Improving, Needs Improvement.  If you have a high school student, you will need to add course descriptions for each class.  We also ask our members to sign a Responsibility of Membership form each year documenting that they are fulfilling the requirements of the homeschool  law in South Carolina.

Q:

Do you require testing?

A:

Yes we require testing two times during the school years.  Once in the 4th - 6th grade  and once in the 8th or 9th grade.  We believe that it is helpful for the parent to get an objective evaluation of their child's progress.  Testing is a part of the college admission process and the more a student can practice and get comfortable with testing, the better he or she will perform. The test scores are kept in your child's file and will not be released unless you, the parent, gives permission.  Over the years, many of our parents have been surprised with the testing results of their children.  Some believe their children are doing fine and then  learn that their children need special helps and remediation. More often though, parents are delighted to find out their children are average or above average in testing results.  Testing allows them to relax and enjoy homeschooling and stop wondering if they are "getting enough". Many of our parents test every year to give their children the practice.  We offer testing for our members in the spring of each year.

Q:

Why are your fees higher than other third option groups?

A:

Our goal from the start was to keep membership affordable.  We are non-profit and our fees have basically stayed the same since 1996.  Funds are used to cover the office supplies, rental, phone bill and a small stipend for the administrator. The board of homeschool parents approves the budget each year and adjustments to fees are made accordingly. We do more than submit required information to the school district in January of each year.    We maintain files, have office hours, and provide a full list of services.  (See more in the Services provided tab in the side bar.)

Q:

Do you give a diploma?

A:

Yes, we issue a diploma at an annual graduation ceremony in Greenwood, SC. We require 24 credits and the minimum subjects that are listed in the SC homeschool law.  All the other electives and core courses are open to whatever interests your child.

Q:

Do I have to start my school year on a certain day?

A:

We have no set day to begin schooling.  We do need to have an end date each year.  For GCSHEA, that date is May 31st.  SC law requires 180 days.  You are required to document the number of days.  Many of our members start the school day count on June 1st.  This allows them to count summer learning days and gives them flexibility over the holidays.

Q:

Do you require attendance at the summer meeting?

A:

We require attendance for all new members and for parents of students who are in the 6th grade and higher.  This meeting is offered twice during the summer and is the time for you to learn about GCSHEA and the upcoming high school years.  Many parents don't think about high school credits in middle school until it is too late.  Our handbook is very helpful but a few hours of instruction from our administrator and an opportunity to meet other high school parents has been time well spent.  We discuss SAT/ACT prep, scholarship requirements, DMV process, NHS, etc.  But most importantly, it is an opportunity for our administrator to get to know you and you to ask questions and dialogue with other home school parents in GCSHEA.

Q:

How do I apply to GCSHEA?

A:

Membership in GCSHEA is open to families who are home-educating their children and are willing to abide by the Responsibilities of Membership. 

Open Enrollment is from June 1 – September 30.  This is for those seeking new membership with GCSHEA .

The application process has 3 steps: 

Step 1)

Complete the preliminary membership application and mail it to PO Box 49362, Greenwood, SC 29649 with a non-refundable application fee of $100. The forms you need to submit are:  New Membership Application Form, GCSHEA Statement of Faith, Responsibilities of Membership Form, Fee Schedule.  (Simply click on the name of the form and choose download or save as.  Depending on the speed of your connection, it may take a few seconds to load the file.  These forms can also be found in the Application Package section of our website.)  Once you have been approved via email, you will need to complete Step 2.

Step 2)

A. Submit the documentation that the primary instructor has at least a high school diploma or G.E.D. 

B. Complete  the Parent Report Card  for your student, and complete a Course Description/Evaluation form for each course to be taken for high school credit (if applicable).  These forms can be found on the Documents Library page of our website.

C. Submit school records (i.e.: official transcript) and a copy of test results from your former school or accountability group.

D. Submit the appropriate fees for membership (See Fee Schedule).

Step 3) 

After your paperwok has been reviewed, you will receive a letter and membership card verifying GCSHEA membership.  Once you receive the letter and card, you are an official member of GCSHEA.     

All forms may be obtained from our website.

Q:

Why do you recommend HSLDA?

A:

Although membership with Home School Legal Defense Association is not required to homeschool in South Carolina, many homeschool families have benefited from HSLDA legal counsel when government officials have challenged the validity of their homeschool.  HSLDA provides legal counsel for its active members and has given GCSHEA valuable advise over the years.  HSLDA will provide added protection if you would ever need legal representation.

You can receive a discount through GCSHEA membership. Please contact the administrator for the HSLDA special link for the group discount.

Contact information:  www.hslda.org  or (540)338-5600

Q:

Do you accept special needs students?

A:

Yes we do.  We require annual documentation from a professional.  This should  include the plan and progress of your student. We  ask the parent to have special testing done for their child at least every 3 years.   We require the parent to complete an annual progress report as well. We do not require any particular curriculum, that is up to the parent to decide.  If a student is in high school, we have a certificate of attendance program that will allow you to go at your own pace without the requirements of a diploma.