Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
What is California Online Public Schools?
California Online Public Schools is a network of six WASC-accredited, tuition-free online public schools serving students in grades TK-12 across 32 counties in California. While legally separate, the schools operate as a single entity to serve its students. The school has provided its high quality online learning expertise since 2004 and offers a unique independent study program that combines strong parental involvement, professional expertise and accountability. The school is an optimum choice for families interested in a rigorous, high quality online learning option. Learn how to enroll.
What sets California Online Public Schools apart?
California Online Public Schools has successfully served students virtually since 2004; our experience, as well as the high level of teacher support combined with flexible daily scheduling, prepares children for a bright future—whether that includes college, technical training, or career readiness. Caring teachers specialize in online learning and work with parents. Together, they set individual goals and ensure that students learn.
How is California Online Public Schools different from traditional schooling?
California Online Public Schools are committed to providing a high-quality education that is personalized to meet a student’s individual needs. Using our accessible technology, we connect parents, teachers, and students from home or anywhere there is Internet service. Additionally, families benefit from unique flexibility in creating their daily schedule, something that typically isn’t possible in a traditional setting. Parents are also able to control their student’s learning environment, ensuring a safe and stimulating atmosphere.
What does a California Online Public Schools family receive?
First-Class Curriculum: Our program features curriculum developed by leading educational publishers. California Online Public Schools families receive a combination of online textbooks, workbooks, comprehensive lesson plans, and exciting enrichment courses.
Exceptional Teaching: Our outstanding team of over 400 California credentialed teachers are dedicated to helping our students learn how they learn best. Teachers support students by offering daily opportunities to attend LiveClass sessions and providing one-on-one support.
Is California Online Public Schools homeschooling?
Although California Online Public Schools and homeschooling have some similar attributes, California Online Public Schools is not homeschooling. Ours is an independent study program and we provide a defined set of curriculum that have been specifically aligned to local standards and use credentialed teachers to evaluate student performance, including decisions concerning the child’s grade-level promotion. All California Online Public Schools students are required to take state standardized tests based on grade level, and the schools are accountable to regulatory authorities for the students’ performance. Instructional funds are not provided.
Can I enroll my child after the school year has started?
Visit the enrollment page for more information.
What are the job opportunities at California Online Public Schools?
California Online Public Schools is always looking for hardworking dedicated individuals to join the team. Please review the current openings to see if a position is available near you. California Online Public Schools is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Where do you need to be located to attend California Online Public Schools?
Students entering grades TK–12, residing in the counties listed below are eligible to enroll in California Online Public Schools:
California Online Public Schools Southern California
Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego Counties
California Online Public Schools Northern California
Alameda, Amador, Calaveras, Contra Costa, Sacramento, San Joaquin, and Stanislaus Counties
California Online Public Schools Central Valley
Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Kings, and Tulare Counties
California Online Public Schools Central Coast
Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura Counties
California Online Public Schools North Bay
Colusa, Glenn, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma, and Yolo Counties
California Online Public Schools Monterey Bay
Monterey, San Benito, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz Counties
Please visit the enrollment page to check student eligibility and age limitations.
Students who plan to be away for longer than 3 weeks need school administrator approval.
Does California Online Public Schools follow California state education standards?
Yes, as a California public school, California Online Public Schools aligns with state standards.
Does this involve utilizing curriculum which aligns with the California Healthy Youth Act? Yes, this curriculum has been implemented for our seventh and tenth grade students.
As the law requires the instruction to meet a number of guidelines, California Online Public Schools offers the Middle School Sexual Health and HIV Prevention Education and the High School Sexual Health and HIV Prevention Education courses as standalone courses. These courses are not credit bearing and as such they will not have a grade assigned to them. Parents can opt out of comprehensive sexual education. In fact, the legislature recognized in the law that “parents and guardians have the ultimate responsibility for imparting values regarding human sexuality to their children.” Enrolled parents will have the opportunity to review the materials before lessons are taught to our 7th-grade students and 10th-grade students.
How does California Online Public Schools support students with special needs?
Visit the Special Education page to learn more.
What is a typical day like?
Has any educational organization ever evaluated the program and its curriculum?
Since 2004, our WASC-accredited, tuition-free, independent study schools guarantee students in grades TK–12 the highest quality education tailored to their individual needs. 96% of parents are satisfied with the California Online Public Schools program according to our latest survey of parents.
Are students allowed to take one class and attend part time?
No, our school is a full-time public school.
Do you offer Mandarin and other foreign languages?
Please visit our curriculum page for details by grade level.
How are high school science labs handled?
Labs for a science class are completed at home. Our teachers also incorporate live labs into their LiveClass sessions.
Can students progress at an individualized pace if they are ahead or need more time in certain subjects?
Students may work ahead but only a little at a time; we have a 180-day school calendar and need to be sure students are working daily throughout the school year. The flexible daily schedule allows students to take more time on certain subjects as needed.
Do you offer summer school?
Our summer school is for currently-enrolled students, primarily for high school credit recovery, or remediation support at the lower grade levels.
What is the secret to success at California Online Public Schools?
Communication is the most important element in succeeding with online learning. If you or your student experience any problems along the way, contact us immediately. Many kinds of support are available for students and families, including enrollment help, computer/technical support, academic assistance, and school counselor support. We are ready and willing to assist you. Communication is key throughout your entire experience with California Online Public Schools.
Tuition & Costs
What is the tuition of this school?
California Online Public Schools is tuition free for all students in all grades.
Are there any hidden fees?
No, there are no hidden fees. Just like your local brick-and-mortar public school, California Online Public Schools is publicly funded and tuition free. Potential costs may include travel expenses to state testing, optional school activities and some school supplies.
Will I need to purchase books or materials for courses?
No. All required books and instructional materials for courses are provided to students. Most textbooks are provided online.
Do you provide instructional funds?
As our school offers our students an independent study program in which we supply the curriculum, the teachers, the learning platform and more, we do not provide instructional funds.
Are laptops provided for each student?
Yes, California Online Public Schools provides one Chromebook per student.
Enrollment
How do I start the enrollment process?
Visit the enrollment page to get started!
How are courses chosen once we are enrolled?
California Online Public Schools Enrollment Team will utilize information from the student’s application to assign courses that are the best fit for them. While submission of academic records is not required to complete the application process, providing these documents during registration will assist school staff in ensuring that a student’s placement is completed accurately and efficiently.
How do I find out whether or not my child may be eligible to attend California Online Public Schools?
Check the enrollment page to view eligibility requirements.
How does self-enrollment work if I am 18 years old, or older, or am an emancipated minor?
Students who are 18 or over must meet age eligibility requirements in California. Students must also submit academic documentation of all courses attempted since entering the 9th grade. Academic documentation will be reviewed by a school counselor to determine the student’s eligibility to complete the program requirements before meeting the age cap for enrollment. Students who cannot complete the program requirements before meeting the age cap for enrollment are not eligible to enroll.
Both emancipated minors and students 18 years and older must provide all required enrollment documentation before the student can enroll. Emancipated minors must also submit court documentation for their emancipation. Please contact the Enrollment Team at [email protected] for additional information or assistance.
If I enroll my student in California Online Public Schools will my student be able to log in at any time to do school work or only during normal school hours?
You will have access to our learning management system, at any time of the day including weekends and holiday breaks. This level of flexibility helps you to design a daily learning schedule for normal school days that works best for your family.
Why is academic documentation requested for my student?
During the enrollment process, submission of academic documentation such as a report card, unofficial transcript, schedule, or current progress report, helps to ensure that your student has an accurate and personalized course placement to start with California Online Public Schools.
How do I obtain copies of my student's records from the previous school?
As a parent/legal guardian you may request copies of the student’s most recent report card or unofficial transcript, IEP documentation, birth certificate, and immunization record from their file. DO NOT withdraw from your current school or request a complete copy of the student’s cumulative file prior to completing the enrollment process, as this information will be requested from the student’s previous school upon completion of the enrollment process.
How long will it take to complete the enrollment process?
The sooner you complete online enrollment forms and submit the required documents, the sooner your student will be enrolled.
TIP: Monitor your email for communication regarding the status of your student’s application, and for information about next steps.
How should I verify that the documents I sent arrived?
If you submitted your documents through the Enrollment Portal and it has been more than 3 days, you can contact the Enrollment Team at [email protected] to check the status. In your email, please provide us with the following information: student’s name, documents sent, and both the date and method they were sent (uploaded to the Enrollment Portal, by email, or through an Enrollment Support ticket).
Once my student is enrolled, how long do I wait to withdraw from my local school?
Once your student’s application has been reviewed and accepted by the California Online Public School Enrollment Team, your student will be placed into classes and both you and your student will then need to sign an Independent Study Master Agreement before your child can begin attending classes with the school. Once you sign your student’s Independent Study Master Agreement, please immediately withdraw your student from their current school if you have not already done so. Students cannot be simultaneously enrolled in two public schools.
How can I change my address and other contact information?
You can change your information by emailing [email protected].
Who do I contact if I need to change my student’s name in the California Online Public School system?
In order to update a parent or student name, California Online Public Schools will need a copy of the legal name change documentation such as an amended birth certificate, marriage certificate or court order. Please submit this documentation by emailing a copy of the document to [email protected] along with a written request detailing the name change that is needed.
If your student uses a preferred name and/or gender that differs from the legal name and gender, you can provide this information during the application process. If your student is already enrolled and attending California Online Public Schools, you can reach out to your school counselor or principal to make that request.
Socialization
What do current parents think about California Online Public Schools?
Every year, we ask California Online Public Schools families to rate our program. This year, once again, parents who completed online school reviews gave us high marks for helping students succeed academically and personally. See the results of the latest Parent Satisfaction Survey:
- 96% of parents agree that the curriculum is high quality
- 96% of parents agree their student is satisfied with the program
- 93% of parents agree their student is making good progress
- 98% of parents are satisfied with the teachers at California Online Public Schools
What is the role of a parent/legal guardian?
Just like in a brick-and-mortar school, the most successful students have parents or caretakers who are involved in their education. Each family does this differently, and the role largely depends on the age of the student. For instance, students in high school are encouraged to work more independently, whereas elementary-age students will need more support while completing lessons. Some of the ways families may support learning include providing daily structure, communicating with teachers, and helping students stay on track.
Are there opportunities to meet other California Online Public Schools families and socialize once enrolled?
Yes. We understand the importance of students and parents interacting with others in the program and in the community. We encourage all students to attend their LiveClass sessions to be able to interact with other students and teachers regularly online. We also offer the following opportunities to socialize with fellow students/parents/caretakers:
- Periodic in-person social activities such as field trips, social meet ups (depending on grade level) and college tours
- Frequent virtual field trips
- Beginning, middle and end of year festivals in Southern, Central and Northern California
- In-person commencement ceremonies for graduating seniors
- Senior Grad Bash
- High School Prom
- Parents/Caretakers may also join our private Facebook page.
What does California Online Public Schools do to help students remain safe while participating in this program?
California Online Public Schools knows that for students to achieve at the highest levels, they need not only a great academic program, but also the freedom to learn in a safe and comfortable setting. Parents and caretakers also play a key role in creating this environment to ensure their child’s well-being. Below are some of the most important resources California Online Public Schools provides to ensure that students are safe and focused on learning:
All California Online Public Schools–provided computers are equipped with heightened Internet security settings and Internet filtering software that can be activated upon request by emailing [email protected]. If you are using your own computer, Technical Support can help you configure Internet security settings and find additional Internet filtering software.
We provide an Internet safety course for students, parents, and caretakers. The course contains valuable information about practicing safe behaviors online. This course is also required training for all California Online Public Schools staff.
Staff trainings regarding student safety are a critical part of the California Online Public Schools professional development plan. The course Students in Distress: Recognizing and Responding is designed to help teachers and other school staff become familiar with the signs of distress, such as from bullying/cyberbullying, neglect and abuse, or depression, or other problems that would keep students from doing their best. The course also teaches them how to respond promptly and professionally.
Regular required contact between teachers and students helps teachers get to know each student individually. Educators who know their students are better able to note behaviors or attitudes that may indicate problems.
California Online Public Schools strictly prohibits any form of bullying/cyberbullying, harassment, hazing, or other destructive actions that may cause emotional and/or physical harm to students. School policies regarding these prohibited behaviors are documented in the School Handbook: General Portion and the state-specific School Handbook Supplement.
Each California Online Public Schools course contains a summary of web links so parents and caretakers can quickly and easily note any links that they may not wish to have their student access.
Technology Requirements
How much time do students spend on the computer?
The amount of time a student spends on the computer varies by grade. Students in all grades will spend the majority of their day online working. To learn more, please visit our Sample Student Schedule page.
What computer skills do California Online Public Schools students and parents/caretakers need?
Students and parents/caretakers do not need advanced computer skills to attend California Online Public Schools.
What hardware and software do I need to access lessons and learning tools online?
We will ship every student a Chromebook upon enrollment.
There are some specific software requirements necessary to use our online learning platform. For more information please contact [email protected].
We're Here To Help
If you have any concerns or questions about how to enroll, our enrollment team is here to help. Please email us at [email protected].
