"How much does it cost to homeschool?"
Answer: If your child is between 7-16, by law they must either be privately tutored by a certified teacher or be enrolled in a public, private, or church school. Most homeschoolers are enrolled in church schools.
Church school tuition at Good Shepherd School is $250/year, payable $25/month if desired. Regular registration is $35. If you enroll on a special enrollment circumstance, fees increase slightly after regular enrollment closes in the fall.
Tuition includes transcripts upon request, support groups, lending library, curriculum counseling, recordkeeping, advocacy, and maintenence of a school office. It does not include curriculum, books, co-ops, field trips, or testing.
Curriculum Faculty members (parents) are responsible for choosing and purchasing books and supplies. Tuition includes curriculum counseling and we've been able to help most families plan a curriculum within a budget when funds are limited.
Field trips are offered by GSS and other support groups. Ordinarily, there is a charge for both parent and student, and any siblings, and usually they must be paid for upfront and are nonrefundable.
Co-ops and tutorials are available throughout Birmingham. Tuition and fees vary widely. We provide enrolled families with information on co-ops and tutorials.
Testing Several flexible options are available to GSS parents for testing. Often homeschoolers are self-motivated, self-directed learners who test well -- conversely, many are hands-on learners who test poorly on standardized tests, so we work with faculty members (parents) to find the best assesment for their student. This might mean standardized tests, evaluation by a certified teacher or psychometrist, or other options.
GSS tuition and fees are nonrefundable for any reason.
Can I homeschool on a budget?
The answer is, unequivocally, YES! The Alabama Homeschooling website has a list of curriculum resources that are available online for free.
Did you know there are some scholarships available for distance learning and home education? HSLDA has scholarships for widows, and the Calvert School has income-based scholarships for distance learning.
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Tuition and Fees
Registration Fee: $35 per family prior to August 12; $45 per family after August 12. Payable only after acceptance. Please do not send money with your application.
Tuition: $250 per family per year (regardless of number of students) if accepted and enrolled by August 12. Payable in 10 monthly payments of $25 per month if needed.
Late enrollments after August 12, $300/ year per family. Families with students age 14 and older who are homeschooling for the first time must pay the year's tuition upon enrollment.
Cathedral of the Cross members $60 per family if paid prior to August 12. No payment plans are available on church member tuition.
Graduation Fee: $125. This covers cap and gown, diploma, ceremony, and reception. It is due and payable even if your senior doesn't plan to walk in the ceremony.
Your tuition and fees cover: Enrollment in a church school as proscribed by Alabama law, official transcripts as needed, records storage, office and telephone, mailings, lending library and costs to maintain used book sale area, curriculum counseling, advocacy with your local board of education (upon admission) if necessary.
Your tuition and fees do not cover field trips, curriculum, books, co-ops and tutorials, sports fees, or testing.
Tuition and fees are nonrefundable for any reason.