Why Do This?
Top 10 Reasons to Join SMAA
- SMAA is an affordable independent study program for Catholic families grades K—12.
- SMAA is registered as a private school with the state of California.
- SMAA offers a full range of services including filing of school records, fulfilling transcript requests, the SMAA newsletter, regular emails updates, field trips, school pictures, monthly in-services for teaching parents, and curriculum counseling.
- SMAA families choose curricula which best suits their students’ needs. SMAA’s extensive library of recommended curricula is available for perusal by all member families.
- SMAA offers weekly tutorial classes for high school students in a range of subjects.
- SMAA offers the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills and the PSAT annually. SMAA also maintains a school code number with the College Board.
- SMAA graduates are consistently accepted to the colleges of their choice including Thomas Aquinas College, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ave Maria University, John Paul the Great Catholic University, the University of Dallas, and others.
- SMAA fosters the practice of the Catholic faith with weekly religion classes taught by a Norbertine priest at numerous parish sites , an annual First Communion Mass and enrollment in the brown scapular at St. Michael’s Abbey, and a graduation Mass and ceremony for 8th and 12th grade students complete with caps, gowns, and diplomas.
- SMAA offers support and networking opportunities. New members learn from more experienced members and both children and parents develop long term friendships.
- SMAA invites you to join us in celebrating 17 years of providing member families with the best in Catholic education.
Thoughts of Some Parents
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Frequently Asked Questions
What about socialization?
In 1993, J. Gary Knowles, University of Michigan assistant professor of education, released a study of homeschooled graduates. Children educated at home don't become social misfits. Home educated adults in this study appeared stable, independent members of society, individuals who are participating in democratic communities. A more recent study, "Home Schooling: From Extreme to the Mainstream" released by the Fraser Institute, concluded that homeschooled children are both academically and socially advanced, more so than their public and private schooled peers. It also showed that homeschooled children, as a group, are happy, well-adjusted, thoughtful, mature, and sociable. In yet another study, written by sociologists Christian Smith and David Sikkink, the conclusion was that homeschooling families are more enmeshed in their communities than public school families, and they are more likely to have voted in the previous five years, participate in community-service activities, and go to their local library.
Is it legal?
YES; YES; YES
- Compulsory Attendance Ages: “between the ages of 6” by Dec. 2 (§ 48200) and under 18 years of age.” California Education Code § 48200, 48400, 48410.
- Required Days of Instruction: 175 days, only for public schools. (175/5 = 35 weeks)
- Required Subjects: Grades 1-6: English, Mathematics, Social sciences, Science, Fine arts, Health Physical education, (200 minutes/2 weeks)
- Home School Statute: None.
- Alternative Statutes Allow for Home Schools: Home Schools have 4 options:
- Option 1. Under § 48222, the individual home school could qualify as a private school by filing an annual private school affidavit:
- the instructors must be capable of teaching;
- the instruction must be in English;
- the instruction must be in the several branches of study required in public schools;
- attendance must be kept in a register; and
- a private school affidavit must be filed with the Superintendent of Public Instruction between Oct. 1 and Oct. 15 of each school year. Cal. Educ. Code §§ 33190, 48222.
- Option 2. The home school could have instruction provided by a certified private tutor (Cal. Educ. Code § 48224).
- Option 3. The child could be enrolled in an independent study program at home, using the public school curriculum. Cal. Educ. Code § 51745. Under this option, the child is considered a public school student and has to abide by the rules and policy of the public school.
- Option 4. Home schoolers could enroll in a private school satellite program and take “independent study” through that private school.
- The private school “independent study program” (ISP) must comply with Cal. Educ. Code § 48222 (see #1 above) Adm. Code Chapter 15 P 51745-517.
- Many home school families have organized these private ISPs which enroll anywhere from two to several hundred families.
What qualifications must the teacher/parent hold?
None, if home school registers as a private school or enrolls in an independent study program with a private school. (Certification is necessary only if the home school parent chooses to qualify as a private tutor.) "Parents have a most grave duty and enjoy the primary right of educating to the very best of their ability, their children physically, socially, and culturally and morally and religiously as well.“ Code of Canon Law of 1983, Canon 1136
How do I choose materials?
SMAA believes that parents should fit the curriculum to their children and not their children to the curriculum. The goal is to have our students develop the art of learning. Purchasing various subjects should be guided by how the content presented matches the style of learning that works best for our children.
Is there standardized testing?
Not required by statute. We offer the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills to allow parents a tool to compare their child’s progress to other students. When using any percentile rank scores, it is important that teachers and parents know with which norms group the student is being compared: national, state, regional, large city, or local. (This test is a national comparison.)
