Frequently Asked Questions
An “Umbrella School” is a term for non-campus based private schools like Ascend STEM Academy. These schools support homeschooling families and are sometimes referred to as “cover schools” because they provide legal coverage for homeschooling.
A “600 School” refers to Florida private schools that offer a homeschooling option. The term “600” refers to state statutes governing private school incorporation. Legally, there is no difference between a private school that offers a homeschooling option and one that does not.
Absolutely, as long as the private school offers a non-campus or homeschool option like Ascend STEM Academy.
No! Once enrolled in a private school, your child is considered a private school student rather than a homeschool student. This distinction affects legal requirements but not the practical aspects of homeschooling. Visit our blog post on private schooling versus home education blog post for more information.
Not Ascend STEM Academy! Our annual tuition is comparable to the cost of an annual evaluation, which you would need if your child were registered with the school district as a homeschooler instead of with Ascend STEM Academy.
First Time Enrollment
- K-8 $185
- 9-12 $200
Re-Enrollment
- K-8 $165
- 9-12 $175
Ascend STEM Academy provides individualized compliance support, credentialed oversight of your student's records, a diploma built to keep pace with your student's future goals, and a resource hub with 60+ curated homeschooling resources included with enrollment.
- Not at all! Each school has its unique personality, procedures, and requirements. Key differentiators include:
- Courses Taught - Does the school require a specific curriculum or can parents choose their child’s coursework?
- Philosophy - Does the school have a particular educational or religious philosophy that aligns with your family’s values and goals?
- Support - Does the school offer the level of support your family needs? Do you prefer more structure or more freedom with available support?
- Record Keeping - Does the school handle recordkeeping for you? What must you report to the school and how often? Is the reporting system easy to comply with?
- Anything else that is important to your family! Be sure to reach out to school personnel to discuss how the school may or may not align with your family’s needs and goals.
No. Each student at Ascend STEM Academy is led by their home educator, usually a parent. Home educators are free to use the curriculum of their choosing and change it when needed.
We do not mandate that our students take any form of standardized testing.
Yes! Ascend STEM Academy is affiliated with FLVS Flex, which offers hundreds of courses for grades K-12. More information about registering in these free virtual courses will be sent to you upon enrolling in your Parent-Teacher Manual
A student may enroll at any time. The school year for each student starts on the day of his or her enrollment and lasts 365 days. The next school year starts on the anniversary of his or her enrollment.
Florida law requires 180 calendar days of instruction per school year.
Home educators should track attendance daily, but it’s only collected at the end of March, June, September, and December. Quarterly reminders of attendance deadlines are sent via our newsletter. Attendance is collected electronically.
Yes they can,
The College of Central Florida is the primary option for Marion, Citrus, and Levy counties area
Our diplomas are structured to mirror Florida's state academic standards, so your student's transcript looks familiar and credible to colleges, employers, and scholarship committees rather than like an informal homeschool record.
Yes. Simply contact us via email to terminate enrollment. Your withdrawal will be recorded on the date that your request was sent. Ascend STEM Academy does not offer refunds if a student withdraws before his or her school year is completed. A student who withdraws from Ascend STEM Academy can enroll in public or private school or begin a course of homeschool.