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FAQ's for Blended Model (BL) K-5th Families

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How often will my chid go to school? If your child is in K-5th grade he/she will go to school 2 days a week on Mondays/Wednesdays (Track 1) or Tuesdays/Thursdays (Track 2). 6th-8th graders (in the Hybrid model) go to school 3 days a week on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. We can not guarantee Track preferences for K-5th graders. 

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How are the grades divided up in Blended Model?  Great question! The multi-age classrooms are slightly different in the Blended Model, since there is no PK. The first classroom is the "Primary" (K/1st grade) Blended Model Classroom. Next students graduate to "Lower Elementary" (2nd/3rd grade), and then to "Upper Elementary" (4th/5th grade). 6th- 8th graders then attend 3 days a week at OCA's Main Campus.  

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What is the student to teacher ratio in each classroom? 

The Blended Model Program (K-5th) is ~1 to 13 teacher to child ratio in the classroom. Blended K-5th grade classrooms have 2 dedicated classroom teachers (one lead teacher and one assistant teacher). 

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Does OCA have additional Admin staff to assist parents and teachers in the BL Model Program?

Yes! OCA has a dedicated Campus Administrator, Dean of Faculty, and Dean of Students to resource both parents and teachers throughout your time at OCA. OCA also has a dedicated Blended Model Room Parent to coordinate events as well.

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Do Blended Model Students get to go on school field trips?

Yes! OCA's curriculum aligns with wonderful field trips throughout the year. Though a Blended Model Student's Tuition does not include Field Trips costs, all BL Model Students and their parents are welcome to attend field trips with their class and pay the minimal fees required by the programs. 

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Will my child get "Enrichment Classes?"

Yes! Enrichment Classes vary from year to year. Your student will receive 2 Enrichments (1 each day they are at school). Past enrichments have included classes such as PE, Spanish, art, and music. Classes are chosen based on teacher availability. 

 

I can't decide on doing the Blended Model or Full Time option. Can I switch from Blended Model to Full-Time mid-year if I change my mind?  

May be. Families may switch from Blended Model to Full-Time Model (as long as there is a full-time seat available) but NOT from the Full-Time Model to Blended Model.  Any BL Model families who later move into the full-time program pay the fee difference including the New Student Fee.

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Do Full-Time Model and Blended Model Students mix?

As the Blended Model Program has grown it is becoming its own independent program and is now housed at its own campus! However students within different grade levels do mix with other Blended Model students throughout the year (ex. programs like reading buddies, field trips, etc). Once students move into 6th grade, the Blended Model and Full-Time Model students are combined on the same campus.

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I've never homeschooled before. Will I be able to do this!?!

We think you will do great! We make it easy and describe OCA's Blended Model Program as "homeschool on a platter." We provide the lesson plans, curriculum,  report cards, and even sample daily schedules for your home days. We have also helped pair up new homeschool moms/dads with more "seasoned" homeschool moms/dads! However, the parents are seen as "co-teachers" as the majority of their school days are at home. School subjects and home subjects overlap. A few subjects (ex. history, Bible, handwriting, etc) are taught at "home only" whereas math and language are taught primarily at school and continued at home. A detailed explanation of this list is provided at the Blended Model Parent Orientation in the summer. Our youngest students also receive a traveling "Montessori Materials Packet" that will go back and forth from school to home. These packets will have printed Montessori materials mimicking the wooden materials they use at school. Parents will also have access to parent training sessions (or videos throughout the year) to assist them! 

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Do I need to open a homeschool or keep my homeschool open?

Oak City Academy is a private school, not a co-op. Thus, the NC Department of Non-Public Education said it is not necessary to open a homeschool or keep your homeschool open if your child is enrolled at OCA, since OCA is a school. Your child now comes under the academic responsibility of Oak City Academy. 

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Do you accept Blended Model families who have the NC Opportunity Scholarship?

Yes! Students all still go through the Admissions Process, but we do accept the NC Opportunity Scholarship which has the potential to pay for much of the K-5th grade Blended model tuition! The Opportunity Scholarship is accepted all the way through middle school as well.  Though the Opportunity Scholarship covers OCA tuition, parents are still required to pay all application fees and any remaining tuition/fees balance after the scholarship has been applied.   

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Additional Notes about Blended Model: ​

The "Blended Model" at Oak City Academy is created specifically so that parents can remain highly involved in their children’s education. In fact, for this model to be successful, it requires a high level of involvement from the parents. This model allows for parents to spend more time with their children in home education without the stresses associated with running a school, planning curriculum, etc. Children in K-5th will attend OCA 2 days each week, in which they will get to experience our rich Montessori style of education with a blend of Classical methodology as well. At home they will work abstractly on concepts using take home packets, a traveling Montessori materials packet, and handouts/workbooks provided by the school. The Blended Model Curriculum Fee provides curriculum  through both digital curriculum access and copies of curriculum guides. Additional curriculum materials (or curriculum in different/preferred formats) is the responsibility of the parent.​