FAQ

Frequent Questions

[toggle title=”What is IfSpace exactly?”]

IfSpace is an educational enrichment center. We offer classes across a wide variety of ages and subject areas to complement students’ learning, whether in public, private, or homeschool. Our homeschool classes are extensive, and work to further the sense of community between home educating families in Brevard.[/toggle]

[toggle title=”Who can take classes and participate in activities at IfSpace?”]

IfSpace offers classes for kids from age three through high school, with times suitable for both homeschoolers and afterschoolers.[/toggle]

[toggle title=”What does it cost?”]

Elementary through high-school classes cost $15.00 per hour and include most materials and supplies. If a class requires an additional material fee, you will find that in the class description on our website. Lab time costs $10 per hour, and students must be enrolled in at least one IfSpace class and pre-register to attend.

We offer Open Lab Time periodically throughout the year with a pre-purchased punch card. Computers and activities are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and include Minecraft Education, Kerbal Space Program, crafts, games, art activities, electronics, sewing, and more. Wednesdays are the only days that the lab is open to non-matriculating students.

Tinker Tots tuition varies depending on how many hours weekly the child is planning to attend. You can find more information about Tinker Tots here.

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[toggle title=”Are there sibling discounts?”]

Sibling tuition is discounted 10% starting with the second child in a family to enroll. Students do not have to be enrolled in the same classes for the discount to apply; the discount is for the entire tuition of additional students.

Our IfSpace Microschool program offers significant discounts from our regular hourly tuition rate in addition to a very small class size. No sibling discounts are available on Microschool tuition.[/toggle]

[toggle title=”Is it even legal to homeschool in Florida? What do I have to do if I want to homeschool here?”]

Yes, it is legal to homeschool in Florida.  Florida is actually a very homeschool-friendly state! We offer regular Homeschool 101 sessions at IfSpace. They are free, and a good opportunity to chat with experienced moms about beginning home education in your family. Be sure to watch for them on our calendar!

Florida families who choose to homeschool need to let Brevard (or their local) County know of their intentions by sending a Letter Of Intent to the school district.  After the district receives the letter, they will receive another letter confirming status as a homeschooling family. Once a year on the anniversary date of the letter of intent (or before), a review of the homeschooling portfolio must be obtained from a certified Florida teacher, who will provide a signed one-page form indicating satisfactory progress to the County.

There are other ways to satisfy your obligations to the state.  Families may register with an ‘umbrella’ or ‘cover’ school. A student may enroll full-time with Florida Virtual School, essentially completing public school at home.  The family may also opt to sit for one of several accepted standardized tests offered around the area in the spring, and submit these scores to the County in lieu of a portfolio review.

These are only a few of the rights and responsibilities of home educated families.  There are other actions you must take and records that must be maintained to be in full compliance with the law. Here is the link to Brevard County’s home education page.  In it is the Home Education Handbook, which you should download and read in its entirety.[/toggle]

[toggle title=”I have a lot more questions about homeschooling. Where can I look?”]

We have a separate page of homeschool questions and answers here. We’ll also be adding an extensive list of both online and local homeschool resources soon, so check back![/toggle]

[toggle title=”Does IfSpace follow a set curriculum?”]

In short, no.  IfSpace offers classes taught by individuals who are highly knowledgeable in their subject area, and they are welcome to pull from whatever resources they feel will best support student fun and comprehension.  Where practical, additional resources will be suggested for parents on the course syllabus.

For some courses, such as Engineering is Elementary, the Choices curriculum from Boston college, and the FIRST Robotics courses, we are using a set curriculum package – but it’s still distinct to that particular course offering and doesn’t proscribe your family’s choice of study at IfSpace.

For select courses where available, electronic lesson plans will be available through HomeschoolTracker.com.[/toggle]

[toggle title=”How much work is my student required to do in the days between classes?”]

For primary and elementary enrichment students, how the learning opportunities related to subjects covered in class are extended at home is up to each family.  While students are welcome to complete assignments each day in between classes, this work is not required for their continued participation except in the rare case where indicated on the syllabus.

Intermediate and High School enrichment students may select classes where becoming seriously behind can create a negative experience for the rest of the class and render the student unprepared to participate, particularly in areas with outside reading or on teams such as Model United Nations or Odyssey of the Mind. Parents and students will be well aware of these situations long before the first day of class and can plan accordingly.

Microschool students will be provided with a syllabus that details course expectations. Intermediate and High School Microschoolers are expected to keep up with assigned coursework so as not to distract from the progress of the class. As always, we are happy to discuss necessary diversions and accommodate individual family schedules and needs – just let us know.[/toggle]

[toggle title=”Does IfSpace follow a faith-based curriculum?”]

No. We employ secular materials that we feel are ‘religion friendly’. We want everyone to feel welcome here. If you are concerned about a particular course’s content beyond what is disclosed in the syllabus, we invite you to discuss this with the teacher individually. [/toggle]

[toggle title=”My student is very advanced.  Can I sign him up for classes beyond his age group?”]

Students are expected to register in the class that most closely matches their age.  As homeschoolers ourselves, we understand that sometimes kids accelerate beyond what is ‘typical’ for their age range. Because of our small classes and personalized structure, we still feel like we can meet the needs of these precocious learners.  It’s also important to keep in mind that although a student may often work ‘above grade level’ in a particular subject, parents and teachers have a responsibility to keep their developmental needs in mind as well. It can be a wonderful confidence boost to simply enjoy an immersive class without being overly challenged by the material.  Indeed, in a hybrid model, the parent can amp up the difficulty quite a bit during home instruction by providing challenging supplemental reading and extension activities.  If after reading the syllabus you still believe that your child would benefit from enrolling in a class outside of his or her age level, it will be permitted only with both teacher and director approval.[/toggle]

[toggle title=”How do I know your teachers are qualified?”]

We select teachers not exclusively for their subject-area knowledge, but also for their passion for the topic at hand. Prospective teachers submit suggested course syllabi which are compared against existing standards for content and thoroughness, as well as ‘fun quotient’. Many of our teachers hold degrees or advanced certifications in their subject area, or have taught their subject extensively throughout their careers.[/toggle]

[toggle title=”Will my child receive grades?”]

If quantitative grades are particularly motivating to your student, a number or letter grade can be arranged with the teacher at the start of the class.  This grade will only reflect the teacher’s observation of the child’s work at IfSpace, and should not be considered ‘official’ for transcripts.  Written evaluations are available at the parents’ request.[/toggle]

[toggle title=”How does Lab Time work?”]

Lab Time is independent time that students may use for whatever purpose they choose.  There is no formal instruction during this time, just a period of open time when kids can work on whatever interests them, visit with friends, or catch up on schoolwork. We have a large lab-type quiet space available for working on projects, reading, games, or school work. Across the building is a small lounge suited for hanging out with friends. Our lab is stocked with art, craft, electronics, and hobby equipment, so that students can try new things they otherwise wouldn’t have been exposed to.[/toggle]

[toggle title=”Is there a limit to how much free time my student can register for?”]

Enrichment students may register for up to 2 hours of Independent Time for each hour of instructional time in any given semester.  Independent Time must be contiguous with instructional time; students may not come in on any given day for Independent Time if they are not also taking an instructional class on that day.[/toggle]

[toggle title=”What should I do while my child is in class?”]

Students may be dropped off at IfSpace for the duration of their scheduled school day.  Additionally, we have both a reception and waiting area and a designated quiet/work area (both with wifi) for parents wishing to remain on campus while their kids are in class.[/toggle]

[toggle title=”Does IfSpace have a Code of Conduct?”]

Yes, there is a one-page Mutual Respect agreement presented to each family at the time of registration.[/toggle]

 

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