# Frequently Asked Questions > Comprehensive FAQ covering the school’s alternative home-school-like model, mission, Christian beliefs, grades served, individualized instruction, family partnership, and program features. ## What is Homestead Elementary? Homestead Elementary provides an alternative approach to your child's education, offering the advantages of a private education experience within a home school-like environment. With certified teachers and a lower student-to-teacher ratio, children will be taught at the level they are working at and not forced to be where a grade level dictates that they should be. A message from Mrs. Byrd ## What is Homestead Elementary's mission statement? Homestead Elementary champions the strength of a Christ-centered, personalized, and holistic education. Situated within the cozy ambiance of a one-room, multi-aged facility, we provide a distinctive and enriching educational journey for students spanning various ages, backgrounds, and learning styles. Our instruction embodies a vibrant community where curiosity and collaboration flourish, nurturing a lifelong passion for learning. ## How does Homestead Elementary define its core spiritual beliefs? We believe: The Bible is the inspired, infallible Word of God and the ultimate authority in all matters of faith and life. In one eternal God who is revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three distinct expressions of the same divine essence, united perfectly and inseparably in nature and will. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, fully God and fully man, who died for our sins, rose from the dead, and will return in glory. Salvation by grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ, apart from human works. The Family as God’s foundational institution, with parents bearing the primary responsibility for their children’s education and discipleship. The Sanctity of Life, marriage as the union of one man and one woman, and God’s design for gender and sexuality. We seek to honor Christ in all we do, nurturing children in truth, wisdom, and godly character. ## What grades does Homestead Elementary teach and support? Homestead Elementary serves students from Kindergarten through 6th grade. Our state-certified teachers are equipped to support children at every level within this range and help prepare them for a successful transition into higher grades. Parents play an important role in their child’s education, and Homestead Elementary exists to come alongside families as a supportive partner in that process. Through guidance, structure, and professional instruction, we help support and enrich each student’s learning journey. While parents retain ultimate responsibility for their child’s education, Homestead Elementary provides the tools, encouragement, and educational support that make that responsibility both manageable and meaningful. ## What is the cost of a high-quality private education for your children? At Homestead Elementary, we understand that the decision to invest in your child’s education is significant, and we’ve ensured that our tuition reflects the unique and high-quality education we provide. When compared to other private schools, academies, tutorial services, and charter schools in the area, our goal is to offer very competitive and accessible tuition for an exceptional education. What we provide as part of our scholastic program Personalized Attention: We can focus on the individual needs of each student, tailoring instruction to suit their learning styles and paces. Enhanced Academic Support: Students receive more direct help and feedback from us, improving understanding and retention of material. Strong Relationships: We excel at teacher-student relationships that helps foster a supportive and nurturing learning environment for every student. Active Participation: Our smaller class size encourage more student participation and engagement in discussions and activities. Customized Curriculum: We customize curriculum to adapted to meet the interests and strengths of the students. Improved Behavior Management: We manage classrooms more effectively, reducing distractions and enhancing the learning experience. Greater Opportunities for Enrichment: Students have more opportunities to explore subjects in depth, participate in projects, and engage in hands-on learning. Early Identification of Issues: We can quickly identify and address any academic or behavioral issues. Strong Community Feel: A smaller learning center fosters a tight-knit community where students feel valued and connected. Parental Involvement: Parents are involved in their child’s education, creating a collaborative effort between home and your child's learning. Safety and Well-being: A smaller environment provides a safer, more secure setting where each student is known and cared for. Holistic Development: Emphasis not just on academics but also social, emotional, and spiritual growth. Remarkably, our fees are even lower than what you might pay a babysitter to simply watch your children. Moreover, our pricing structure is straightforward, with no hidden fees often found at other institutions, such as: Application fees Uniform fees Annual continuous enrollment fees Facilities fees Technology fees Curriculum fees Etc. If you are looking for an outstanding education for your child that combines traditional academics with personalized one-on-one instruction and Christian mentoring, in a safe and nurturing environment, Homestead Elementary could be the perfect choice for your family. We are sensitive to the cost of a private education and what families can afford. We have a limited number of scholarships available for those families that qualify. Please contact us for more information. ## What does an instructional day look like at Homestead Elementary? In a learning center environment, time is intentionally structured to maximize meaningful engagement and minimize non-instructional transitions. Unlike traditional school settings, where time is often spent navigating hallways, managing large-group routines, attending assemblies, or addressing broad behavioral systems, our model is designed for focus, flexibility, and efficiency. At Homestead Elementary, we create a streamlined experience where learners move seamlessly between activities, receive targeted support, and remain actively engaged throughout their time on site. With fewer disruptions and a personalized approach, we’re able to accomplish in a focused four-hour session what might take several days in more traditional educational settings. According to a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics, shorter class time could also have positive effects on students' health, such as lower obesity rates, better sleep quality, and fewer mental health issues ## Are entrance exams required for admission? At Homestead Elementary, we prioritize a one-on-one meeting with your child to assess their academic standing. We firmly believe that utilizing methods such as running records, anecdotal notes, and individualized testing provides us with more valuable insights than just standardized tests. This approach allows us to promptly determine whether our institution is the right fit for your child. ## How is the student-to-teacher ratio compared to public schools? Maintaining a small student-to-teacher ratio is a key priority for us. This ensures that each student receives ample attention from the teacher, minimizing wait times for assistance and maximizing learning opportunities. At our facility, teachers collaborate in a class size smaller than that of a typical public school classroom, providing an advantageous environment for personalized instruction. ## How is the curriculum tailored to meet the needs of different age groups in the multi-aged class? Our vision harks back to the traditional education model, reminiscent of our nation's founding. Research indicates that optimal learning occurs when peer-to-peer instruction unfolds in a home-like environment, even across different age groups and abilities. At Homestead Elementary, we meticulously select our curriculum to suit the individual needs of each child. Our approach is not constrained by mandated or outdated materials, a situation often seen in districts unable to afford updated resources. Instead, our curriculum places a strong emphasis on reading, writing, arithmetic, history, science, language arts, and biblical teachings. ## How is faith integrated into daily lessons? At Homestead Elementary, we prioritize our day by beginning with biblical training that will consist of bible stories, worship, and prayer.  Our primary goal is to guide every child in cultivating a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Our emphasis lies not in teaching religion, but in instilling a profound respect for the word of God, fostering a thirst for righteousness, and creating an opportunity for children to commence their day with the most important teacher of all: Jesus Christ. ## What are the advantages to a small classroom setting? Homestead Elementary provides a unique structure that allows students to navigate through material at their own pace, unhindered by rigid grade-level expectations. Consequently, there is a reduction in stress and feelings of inferiority, fostering a sense of empowerment and self-worth among students. The personalized approach ensures that assistance is provided exactly where each student needs it, preventing the frustration of either being pushed too quickly or held back when they have already mastered a subject.  This fosters confidence in the learner and a genuine joy for the process of learning. ## How do I apply to Homestead Elementary? Our admission process requires a parent or guardian of the registering child to fill out our application form online. Next, we will schedule a one-on-one meeting to assess where your child is academically and emotionally, to determine whether your child is a good fit for our program. We are highly communicative so you should expect to hear back from us right away. ## Is Homestead Elementary religiously affiliated with a church or denomination? Homestead Elementary is an independent, non-denominational organization with no affiliations to churches, school districts, or the state of Washington. This independence allows us the flexibility to thoughtfully design our own educational approach, guided by our mission and the needs of our learners, while remaining informed by broader educational standards and best practices. ## Are there students at Homestead Elementary that come from various faiths? Certainly! Homestead Elementary welcomes students from various faith backgrounds. All are embraced, provided they acknowledge the Bible as the true word of God and recognize Jesus Christ as the savior of the world, acknowledging that it is through Him only that we have eternal life. ## What ages does Homestead Elementary accept? Homestead Elementary considers a child's academic and emotional capabilities, rather than their age or the grade level they may be placed in at a public school. Our focus is on assessing each child's academic readiness and their emotional maturity rather than adhering strictly to age-based criteria. ## Are co-curricular and sports programs available at Homestead Elementary? Homestead Elementary focuses on providing concentrated one-on-one attention for a shorter duration, allowing your child the advantage of participating in competitive sports teams or pursuing extracurricular activities of their choice outside of their everyday instruction. Recognizing the limitations in offering a variety of sports and co-curricular programs, we have chosen to focus exclusively on the intellectual, emotional, and spiritual growth of the child. This approach enables parents to nurture each child's interests outside of their studies, with the flexibility of having time for such pursuits due to our shorter instruction day. ## What is the purpose of Asynchronous Fridays? We believe a child’s success is strongest when families are actively involved in the learning process. At our learning center, we intentionally create opportunities for parents to engaged and connected to their child’s academic growth. Asynchronous Fridays provide a valuable space for parents to participate directly in learning activities, offering a clear window into their child’s progress, strengths, and areas for growth. This level of involvement helps build a true partnership between families and educators. By working together, sharing insights, reinforcing skills, and supporting each child consistently, we create a unified, supportive environment that mirrors the collaboration of a strong family system. ## What technology is used at Homestead Elementary? Having observed the extensive reliance on devices and tablets in public schools, we aim to revert to a more traditional approach at Homestead Elementary. Our focus is on emphasizing the importance of reading, writing, and researching using classic tools such as pen and paper. While recognizing that most families have computers at home, and students are already over exposed to technology, we believe it is unnecessary to dedicate precious learning time to placing students on devices where they might disengage and not fully utilize their own thinking strategies and writing skills. However, there will be selected times that laptops will be used in class for specific, intentional purposes. ## How does Homestead Elementary compare to private schools? Our emphasis is not on fostering competitiveness in areas such as grades, speech meets, musical productions, and STEM activities, as seen in private schools. We've observed that many private institutions tend to overburden students, teachers, and families with a rigorous program in the pursuit of achieving more. Unfortunately, we've found that this approach leads to burnout among both students and families, making it challenging for them to sustain the demanding requirements, while disengaging students from unrealistic standards and comparisons in achievements. However, our emphasis is on a Christ centered approach to learning. We work on trying to better ourselves and to improve ourselves for the good of everyone. Our aim is for each student to challenge themselves individually and to grow at the pace that they set. The only competition we foster is with aiming to be a better you. ## How does Homestead Elementary compare to public schools or other educational institutions? We promise you at Homestead Elementary that your child will not witness traumatic, disruptive behaviors such as chair-throwing, verbal abuse, physical attacks on teachers and students, or prolonged classroom disruptions.  We have a zero tolerance policy for physical, verbal, or emotional outbursts.  A parent will be called immediately to remove their child should behaviors like this erupt.  We promise you that your child will not lose instruction or be traumatized by a student who is not ready to be in a general education classroom.  At Homestead Elementary, we pledge an open approach without hidden agendas, withheld information, or inappropriate discussions about sexuality. ## What do you do when a child has misbehaviors? In the event that a child loses control, either physically or emotionally, we will promptly contact the parent to pick up the child and have them removed from the premises. The decision on whether the child can be readmitted is made with discretion, taking into account the severity of the outburst. Ensuring the safety and tranquility of all children is paramount to us, as we are committed to providing a secure and peaceful environment. Consequently, we cannot allow any single child to pose a threat or compromise the safety and tranquility we promise to maintain in our school, it's a non-negotiable priority for us. ## How do you communicate with families? We utilize a two-way communication application for seamless interaction between parents and teachers. This tool will be employed on a weekly basis to share updates, notify about schedule changes, and provide interactive photos showcasing the students' activities during instruction. ## How are students evaluated in their progress? Rather than relying primarily on traditional report cards, we emphasize ongoing collaboration between parents and teachers to evaluate each child’s progress in a meaningful and responsive way. Scheduled conferences in November and April provide dedicated time for in-depth conversations, reflection, and goal-setting. In addition, families receive progress updates in January and June, ensuring that communication remains consistent while keeping the focus on partnership, growth, and a shared understanding of each child’s development. Source: [Frequently Asked Questions](https://homesteadelementary.org/frequently-asked-questions/) Site manifest: [Homestead Elementary](https://homesteadelementary.org/llms.txt)