Do you have specific questions about enrolling early? Click Here.

What does 617 school mean?

The 617 stands for Florida Statute 617. This statute pertains to non-profit corporations. There are private schools in Florida that are for profit and/or registered just with the county in which they are located.

Are you a recognized school?

Yes, Crossroads Christian School, Inc. (CCS) is a recognized educational institution in the State of Florida. We are registered with the Florida Department of Education. Crossroads is very much a real school. We use the term umbrella school to mean a school that provides a legal covering to residents of that state. And the term satellite school is often used when referring to a school in a central location with students spread out over wider geographical locations.

Is Crossroads accredited by the Florida Department of Education?

The Florida Department of Education does not accredit any school. Accreditation must be done through an accreditation agency.

Is Crossroads accredited?

CCS has met all the criteria and has been accepted for accreditation by The Southern Association of Private Christian Schools, Inc. S.A.P.C.S. is a non-profit corporation whose ministry is to serve private schools that offer home-based education. We are pleased to announce that Dorothy and Allen have been invited and now sit on the Board of Directors of S.A.P.C.S. here in Florida. We will be able to assist S.A.P.C.S. in its ministry to serve those offering home-based (umbrella/satellite) services to homeschooling families.

What does umbrella mean?

CCS provides an umbrella to residents of the State of Florida. Umbrella means "covering". When Florida homeschoolers enroll in CCS, they are not required to register and meet the requirements of the state. They are students of CCS even though they are taught at home.

I live in another state. Does the umbrella work for me?

In some areas it may; however, we recommend that you contact your local school Superintendent about their position on this. You may also check with your local and/or state support group. In many cases even if you are registered with a satellite school, you will still need to fulfill your state's requirements for homeschooling. CCS will be happy to assist you in any way that we can. We encourage you to become familiar with your state's law. And though not required, we encourage families to join the HomeSchool Legal Defense Association at: www.hslda.org .

We are Florida residents; however, my high school students participate in the local high school's extra-curricular activities. Is it possible to receive the record keeping services of Crossroads without losing our status as homeschoolers with our county?

If you are registered and in good standing with your county (in Florida only), you may register with Crossroads and receive our record keeping services, which include a diploma and transcripts. However, if you are enrolled with the county (in Florida), you must be aware that the legal covering does not exist. You will continue to be accountable to your local school board and are bound by Florida homeschooling laws.

If I do not qualify for the full umbrella, what other services does your school provide?

CCS will maintain records on your child. We will provide a transcript of credits which may be useful when enrolling your child into a public school or private school during high school. Transcripts are needed when applying for some scholarships and enrolling in most colleges. We also offer records transfers, so if you wish to withdraw your child from CCS and enroll him in another school, we will send full cumulative folders to the new school when they request them. And we offer a high school diploma upon your child meeting the graduation requirements.

Is Crossroads a correspondence school?

No, we are not. A correspondence school is when a family would submit their child's materials for grading. The materials would then be returned to the family. CCS is a private school with a home based education program. You choose and grade the materials.

What curriculum do you require that we use while enrolled with your school?

CCS believes in giving the parents the freedom to choose the curriculum. We believe that parents will be able to customize a program to best suit their child's needs. Some children may be a grade level ahead in some subjects, on grade level on others, or below grade level. By allowing the parent to select and purchase their own materials, it is our hope that this will make homeschooling more affordable. Parents will be able to purchase materials on sale or even used. Homeschooling shouldn't be a financial burden.

We prefer to use an unit study approach. Is that acceptable?

Yes, it certainly is acceptable. CCS believes in allowing the parent to choose their teaching methods as well. Some parents prefer to use all textbooks such as ABEKA or BJU. Others prefer using workbooks such as ACE and Alpha Omega. Many families enjoy unit studies such as Prairie Primer, Amanda Bennett, Far Above Rubies, etc. And literature-based programs are becoming rapidly popular such as FIAR and Sonlight. We also accept teaching using living books and the Charlotte Mason method. Some families enjoy relaxed schooling as well. We will work with parents as much as possible.

Do you sell curriculum or homeschooling materials?

No, at this time, we do not sell any homeschooling materials or curriculum. It is the responsibility of the parents to obtain the educational materials whether new or used.

Why do you require immunization records, birth certificates, physicals, and waivers?

Because it is the law here in Florida. We, as a non-public school, are required to maintain those items in our students' folders. However, if one does not immunize based on religious convictions, these requirements may be waived. Please refer to our page called: Immunization Records, Birth Certificates, and School Physicals..why we need them and alternatives.

What is involved in reporting to your school?

Reporting will mainly consist of submitting periodically: attendance and grade sheets, curriculum lists, PE log (if desiring credit in PE), lesson plans/logs, and submission of tests or a sample of child's work in each subject twice a year. We try to keep reporting minimal, and we hope the parent understands why reporting is necessary. For more information on reporting, please visit the Forms page and see our publication titled Reporting.

I have never been able to keep up with a lesson plan book. What is the alternative to submitting lesson plans?

Instead of lesson plans, parents may submit a journal. Each day as work is assigned, the parent will record the assignment in the journal. Extra activities, field trips, etc. will also be recorded daily in the journal. A journal may simply be a spiral notebook with each page being a day. In some cases we may only require a section of the journal (or lesson plans).

How many samples are needed to report? Will you accept photocopies of the children's work?

We will accept photocopies. We are unable to return samples, so if there is something you would like to keep, submitting a photocopy would be ideal. We only need a few samples in each subject. The sample may be a test, worksheet, or assignment from a text. We don't require as much as one would put in a portfolio. We love photographs.

We use the unschooling method. How would we report to CCS?

We understand that unschooling families will not have the paperwork available to submit in their reporting as families using traditional texts would. We would like a copy of any work you child does complete. As well as photos of your child participating in various educational activities. With unschooling families, it is important that they keep a detailed journal (or log book) to submit to CCS at reporting time.

Are standardized tests required?

We do not require standardized testing. However, we reserve the right to request it based on individual situations.

If I submit standardized test scores, do I need to submit lesson plans or samples?

No. If you submit a nationally known standardized test score taken that school year, you are not required to submit lesson plans or samples. You must notify CCS in writing at the beginning of the school year that you intend to have your child take an nationally recognized standardized test and will not be submitting lesson plans or samples. If your child does not take the test, you will be required to submit lesson plans and samples for the year. We still require the attendance sheet and grade sheet to be submitted each semester.

What are your requirements for graduation?

We offer three sets of requirements: One set consists of minimum requirements, the second set is directed more towards the college bound, and the final set is outlined and determined by the parent. The requirements set by the parent must be submitted to CCS prior to graduation. Some families prefer to use a combination of the minimum and college bound requirements. Our requirements are based on that of the Florida Department of Education. For specifics, contact CCS.

You require more credits than other schools who offer umbrella or satellite services. Why so many?

We based our requirements on the courses that many colleges and scholarships seem to prefer in transcripts. However, we offer a parent-designed course of study that allows parents the opportunity to customize a program that will work best for their child.

Are Crossroads credits accepted by public schools, private schools, and colleges/universities?

At this time, Crossroads transcripts and credits have been accepted by other private schools, public schools, and colleges. There has not been any disputes or problems. Our graduates have been accepted into the colleges in which they have applied. However, it should be stated that there is no guarantee that credits will be accepted. Public schools, private schools, and colleges have the right to accept or reject credits from any school. Any school no matter how many accreditations they have can not guarantee you that their transcript will be accepted by all schools.

Do you have a College Board/Testing code number?

Yes, we do. The code number is 100326.

After graduating from CCS, will my child receive a diploma?

Yes, your child will receive a high school diploma from CCS.

I am an adult. Is it possible for me to receive a high school diploma through your program?

We will be more than happy to assist you in receiving a high school diploma no matter what your age is.

Why are your fees lower than most schools that provide the same service? And how do you operate on such low tuition?

Our fees are low because we operate as a ministry to homeschoolers. We keep operating costs low which in return helps keep our tuition low. Our staff works solely on a volunteer basis. All money taken into the school remains in the school.

Why do you not offer a toll-free phone line, professionally printed and bounded school catalogs, curriculum guides, etc?

These things are all costly. If we offered all these things that would make us more attractive, it would cause our fees to increase greatly. So we sacrifice a few perks for the benefit of the families enrolled with us. As money increases, so will the benefits. Everything is introduced into the budget on a priority basis. We hope to offer all those things and more in the near future without increasing our rates to match those of other well-known schools. We hope families realize that fancy national advertising, large homeschool convention booths, toll-free lines, shiny catalogs, etc. do not make a school any more credible. It just means more overhead.

Questions Pertaining To Enrolling Early

If I enroll early, may my children begin school at a later date?

You may begin school at any time. Most families traditionally begin the next grade level in September. If you enroll early, you may begin then or wait. On the Student Enrollment Form, indicate the month in which you plan to start.

I am still trying to decide and obtain the curriculum that I plan to use. Must I submit the Curriculum List now?

The Curriculum List may be submitted prior to the start of school. You need not submit it immediately if you are enrolling early.

Are lesson plans due before I begin school?

Lesson plans are due when you submit a report which is as early as ninety school days or up to six months from the time you enrolled.

Email Crossroads

Return to Homepage

Copyright © 2002Crossroads Christian Ministries, Inc. All rights reserved.