Family Handbook

2025-2026

Welcome to the Alabama STEAM Academy!

Mission Statement

We are a homeschool community of learners for families with students from elementary through high school, working together to foster a collaborative homeschool environment, encourage one another, and share our many individual and unique talents.

Our Goals

• To assist homeschool families by providing a safe, collaborative environment where families and children learn, grow, develop friendships, and receive encouragement.

• To provide enrichment and academic classes for Elementary to High School students.

• To provide opportunities for social activities, field trips, and more.

• To provide resources and support regarding learning disabilities, curriculum planning, and high school/college preparation.

Statement of Shared Values

We are a non-denominational Christian co-op committed to fostering a respectful, welcoming community. While not all classes are religious in nature, some may include faith-based content. We believe that the primary responsibility for religious instruction belongs to parents, and we honor a variety of expressions within the Christian faith. All members are expected to uphold a spirit of mutual respect, kindness, and cooperation  as we learn and grow together.

Educational Values: We believe that science and the Bible do not conflict. All science classes are taught from a scientific perspective; all theories are presented through a Christian worldview.

Admissions & Registration

To join the Alabama STEAM Academy:

1. Complete the online application.

2. Participate in a phone interview (you will be contacted via email).

3. Once accepted, submit the required paperwork and the $75 registration fee (per semester) within 3 days.

Required Forms:

• Medical Release (per student)

• Release of Liability (per family)

• Sign-up for a mandatory yearly parent meeting (held in July & August)

Volunteers & Service Hours

All families are expected to contribute volunteer time. See the Service Hours document for full descriptions.

Volunteer Roles Include:

• Cleanup

• Teaching or subbing

• Planning/coordinating social events (co-op only)

• Lunch pick-up and supervision

• Free time supervision

• Yearbook photography

New Positions: Lunch monitors, free time monitors, social function helpers, and yearbook photo takers.

Families unable to volunteer may pay a $200 annual opt-out fee.

Important: If you commit to a volunteer role and fail to show up for two scheduled duties, the $200 fee will be added to your account, and you will be removed from the volunteer list.

Understanding Co-op Costs

• Tuition: $75 per semester / $150 annually (per family)

• Class Fees: Set individually by teachers and paid to teachers

While we strive to keep our homeschool co-op as affordable as possible, it's important to understand that participating in the co-op is not free—just like most things in life. We operate out of a brick-and-mortar building with real, ongoing expenses. These include:

• Rent and utility bills (electricity, water, etc.)

• Dumpster and waste management fees

• Insurance coverage

• Website hosting and administrative costs

• Cleaning supplies and toiletries

Additionally, our teachers invest time, effort, and energy in preparing and leading classes. They deserve fair compensation for their work and dedication.

We also want to make it clear: we are not in the business of policing anyone’s finances. No one is profiting off this co-op. However, those who give their time and expertise to make this program possible have a right to be compensated. Our goal is to build a thriving, supportive community—one that values honesty, effort, and mutual respect

Understanding Teacher Costs

Each teacher at Alabama STEAM Academy operates as an independent instructor. Teachers set their own class fees based on the cost of materials, preparation time, and level of instruction provided. These fees are paid directly to the teacher and may vary depending on the subject matter and resources needed.

When evaluating class fees, please consider the following:

• Teachers spend many hours outside of class planning engaging lessons.
  
  

• They often purchase supplies, manipulatives, and printing materials out of pocket.
  
  

• Fees may reflect specialty content (e.g., lab science, robotics, art supplies).
  
  

• Some instructors invest in their own continuing education or certifications.
  
  

• Teaching at co-op is often a labor of love, not a source of significant income.
  
  

• Fees help make classes consistent, high-quality, and sustainable.
  
  

We encourage transparency and fairness from our instructors, but we also ask families to respect each teacher's right to charge based on the effort and resources required to offer their class. Open communication is welcomed if you ever have questions about a specific class or need clarification

Compassion & Financial Hardship Policy

At Alabama STEAM Academy, we understand that life can be unpredictable and financial hardships happen. Our mission is to serve families, not to create unnecessary barriers to community or education. If your family is experiencing temporary financial strain, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the director confidentially.

We are a community first. Honesty, communication, and mutual care are the foundation of what we do.  

Enrollment Instructions

New Families:

• Visit the co-op website and click “Request Membership.”

Returning Families:

• Log into the website and follow the “Registration” tab instructions. Update all student info yearly.

Family Responsibilities & Student Code of Conduct

Family Responsibilities

• Submit medical release, liability form, and emergency contact info

• Volunteer or pay $200 fee

• Be responsible for any damage caused by your child

• Avoid excessive absences (over 7 days not related to illness)

• Tardiness may result in disciplinary action

• Avoid religious or political discussions unless part of class curriculum

• Communicate respectfully with staff and students

• Contact teachers via email about class issues or grades

• Use communication folders for checks, messages, and notes

Student Code of Conduct

• No drugs, alcohol, or tobacco

• No weapons of any kind

• Be prepared, punctual, respectful, and use manners

• Use indoor voices; no yelling or fighting

• Encourage one another—no name-calling or slurs

• No crude, profane, or threatening language

• No aggressive or inappropriate physical contact

• Respect property; no running/horseplay

• No food/gum outside the Commons (sealed water bottles allowed)

• Students must stay in class or study hall; no unsupervised roaming or vehicle waiting

• Students may not leave without a parent or guardian

Honor Code: No lying, cheating, stealing, or plagiarism.   If Homework is assigned make every effort to get it done.   

Discipline Policy

Three-Strike System:

1. Strike 1: Teacher addresses behavior.

2. Strike 2: Parent meeting with teacher/admin; behavior plan created.

3. Strike 3: Probation. Continued issues may result in dismissal (no refunds).

Immediate Grounds for Probation/Suspension/Expulsion:

• Substance abuse

• Weapon possession

• Intentional harm

• Major honor code violations

High School Credit Guidelines

• Full Credit: 2.5–5 hours/week for 2 semesters (approx. 120–180 hours)

• Half Credit: 2.5–5 hours/week for 1 semester OR 1–3 hours/week for 2 semesters

Credits may also be awarded for completing full curriculum units (e.g., Saxon, Apologia).

Types of Classes:

• Formal: Publisher-based unit of study

• Informal: Custom-designed by teacher

Special Events & Field Trips

• Two school-wide field trips per year

• Class-specific trips may be organized by teachers

Field Trip Policy:

• Permission forms required for trips leaving from campus

• No form needed if parent transports student to the destination

• All students are expected to demonstrate good behavior. Misconduct may result in removal from event.

Pick-up / Drop-off / Breaks

• Parents must sign in/out elementary students; grades 7–12 may check themselves in/out

• Arrive no earlier than 5 minutes before class

• Parents must remain with children who arrive early

• Students should wait quietly if the previous class is still in session

Lunch Policy

Students may bring lunch or purchase from our rotation:

• Drinks (sodas/water): $1.00 in fridge; payment goes in locked box

• Lunch rotation (pizza, McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A) posted on calendar at semester start. Limited menu

Attendance

Notify teachers if absent. Make-up work is your responsibility and must follow the teacher’s policy.

Attendance affects classroom planning. Please attend consistently.

Illness Policy

Do not attend if showing symptoms such as:

• Fever within past 24 hours

• Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting

• Contagious infections or rashes

• Persistent cough or colored mucus

If a student becomes ill during the day, they will be sent home.

Inclement Weather

We generally follow Cullman City/County school closings as a guideline. Updates will be sent via email, text, or website.

Use discretion based on your area’s conditions.

Organization & Communication

Steering Committee:

• All concerns should first be brought to the director.

• You may also email: admin@alabamasteamacademy.com

Safety Notice:

• For everyone’s safety, our building is monitored by security cameras.