FAQS

UMS and homeschool co-ops should not be equated. Homeschool co-ops are a good way for homeschooling families to pool their resources and expertise for specific and usually short-term study projects. One parent, for instance, may be especially proficient in science and teach a group of students that subject for a period of time. Generally speaking, homeschool co-ops are age-integrated, specialized, parent-run, and do not simulate a college structure. In some cases, co-ops also take over the primary responsibility of teaching certain courses instead of integrating the teacher and parent effectively for each course as is done in the University-Model®. University-Model® Schooling is also different due to having specific grade levels, consistent accountability from semester to semester, and a professional administration and faculty responsible for curriculum and instruction while partnering with parents to deliver some instruction.

Parents do not need to have teaching experience. Solid Rock Preparatory Academy takes the lead in the area of academics. New concepts are introduced and taught at school by paid professional faculty while the application of the concept often takes place at home, much like that of college studies. Solid Rock Preparatory Academy teachers provide detailed course overviews and online assignment sheets each week while maintaining open lines of communication. Parents act as co-instructors under the guidance and direction of the classroom teacher. In addition, the academy offers training to parents in various areas including academics and character development. Finally, take into consideration that as a child progresses to higher grade levels, the academic role of the parent gradually migrates from that of co-instructor to proctor/mentor, so that by the time a student graduates he is prepared (trained and experienced) to assume the individual responsibility required for success at the collegiate level.

Probably not. One of the most important ingredients in the success of the university model is an available parent who can assist and properly work with the student. For a family in which both parents work outside the home on a full-time, or almost full-time, basis, a more traditional 35-40 hours/week school is probably a better choice.

Communication between teachers and parents plays a large role in a UMS, and there are several ways that clear communication can take place. First, each course is described, along with its prerequisite and parent role, in the school catalog. The parent role is defined for each course so that parents understand the required level of assistance for their children. Vitally important are the weekly lesson plans and assignment sheets that are prepared by the classroom teacher and made available to parents and students online. Instructions to parents are included as part of these assignment sheets, as are long-term study projects that are forthcoming. Parents are also invited to communicate any of their questions back to the teacher as needed.

Yes, our academic standards meet or exceed the requirements for grade levels in the public schools in Texas as published by the Texas Education Agency.