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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Braintree Academy a Public Charter/District School or a Private School?
Braintree Academy is an innovative virtual education provider, offering personalized and flexible learning pathways online and offline. Students are registered as full-time public-school students with our partner district in their specific state. In North Dakota, our partner is the Yellowstone School District. Students throughout all of North Dakota are invited to apply and receive FREE resources and support as they learn from home as full-time enrolled students in the Yellowstone School District.
How much does the Braintree program cost?
An education through Braintree Academy is personalized and FREE. In addition, parents also receive access to supplemental learning points which can be used to select customized learning resources for their children.
What does the school calendar and daily schedule look like?
Students follow the East Fairview Elementary School’s yearly calendar. We understand that students are learning at home all day, every day. Parents decide what they want their daily schedule to look like. Families are required to verify daily instruction for each learning day and to complete 151 days of instruction for the school year.
If your student participates in Braintree Virtual Classes, they will follow a separate Classes & Clubs calendar that shows the schedule for the specific classes they are enrolled in.
Does my child's schooling need to be done on a
computer if we are part of this program?
We believe parents should have the flexibility to choose the best format for their student’s learning. Some families prefer technology-based schooling while others want to do learning using textbooks. Others prefer hands-on activities and real-world learning and many choose a mix of all three. It is our goal to support parents as they choose the ways their student learns best.
Families in Braintree Academy are required to have access to a computer/tablet and internet to be able to fulfill the state and district testing requirements that are part of the program.
Families will also need to upload submissions digitally and may need to join live virtual meetings for classes, clubs, or other school meetings.
What curriculum and learning resources are provided?
Our K8 program provides a complete, standards-aligned curriculum that is fully printable and designed for students to learn together at home. Each lesson is simple to follow and guides students through exploring new ideas, practicing skills, creating meaningful work, and sharing their learning. Families are given everything they need, including lesson pages, readings, worksheets, and hands-on activities, all created to encourage connection, confidence, and a love of learning.
Other learning resources are also offered at no cost to families. These include:
ClickView
Epic (during school hours)
Generation Genius
Khan Academy
Salsa Spanish
Tangy Tuesday
Canva for Education
Current Opt-in Programs* (Optional Homeroom Resources) Note: Subject to change per year.
Students will have the following additional learning resource options available as opt-in programs. The funds for each program will be deducted from the student’s supplemental learning funds. Parents can opt into any of these programs. Additional information about each resource can be found in Sign-Up Central.
What happens if my preferred learning resources are not
part of the provided free curriculum?
We believe parents should have the flexibility to choose the learning resources that fit their student best.
Families can follow our structured curriculum for guidance and support, choose from the wonderful opt-in resources below, or supplement with their own materials - so learning never feels one-size-fits-all.
Current Opt-in Programs* (Optional Homeroom Resources) Note: Subject to change per year.
Students will have the following additional learning resource options available as opt-in programs. The funds for each program will be deducted from the student’s supplemental learning funds. Parents can opt into any of these programs. Additional information about each resource can be found in Sign-Up Central.
Math:
ALEKS
Beast Academy Online
CTC Math
Everybody's Math
Frax Math
Mathletics
Mathseeds
My Math Academy
Prodigy Math
Reflex Math
Sumdog
Language Arts:
Accelerated Reader
Exact Path
Hairy Reading
Lexia Core5
Lexia Power Up
MIWrite (grades 3-12)
Moby Max
Nessy Reading and Spelling
Reading Eggs/Eggspress
Vooks
Waterford
Multi-Subject Resources:
Bright Thinker
Mia Academy (Direct Order only)
Education.com Premium
Exact Path
IXL
Moby Max
Study Island
Braintree Academy teacher-led online classes
Electives:
Adobe Creative Cloud
Centervention
Code Monkey
Sign it: ASL!
The ULAT
Touch-type, Read, Spell
Tynker
Typing Club
Social Studies and Science:
IXL
Kids Discover Online
Moby Max
Mystery Science
Can I select religious-based curriculum as part of my approved program?
Parents are free to supplement their child’s education with religious materials using their own private funds. As this program is in partnership with the public education system, only secular materials are approved using supplemental learning points.
What if I need help choosing the learning resources that
are best for my child?
We would love to help! Our Certified Homeroom Teachers are qualified to assist you in finding the appropriate learning resources that work for you and your family. Once you are assigned a Homeroom Teacher, you will be able to contact them directly with any questions you may have. Need help before receiving a homeroom teacher? Reach out to your state coordinator and they will make sure your questions get answered. (NorthDakota@BraintreeEd.com)
What are supplemental learning resource points?
Each student has supplemental learning credits (points) - equivalent of $1900/yr available to be used on approved educational resources. Using our points system parents can order additional approved educational resources to supplement the free resources that are already provided. Educational items such as learning resources, online subscriptions, computers/tablets, internet fees, extracurricular classes, tutoring, museum passes, tech items and so many more things can be ordered with the supplemental learning points system. A parent gets access to these points through direct orders done through the school.
Unused first semester supplemental learning points can be rolled over into 2nd semester, as long as your student is still registered with Braintree Academy.
Want to know which items are covered? Click HERE to explore the Approved and Not Approved List for Supplemental Points.
Do we get to keep the learning resources we receive
through the supplemental learning points system?
All non-consumable learning materials and technology are the property of school and are provided to support your student throughout the school year. Families may keep these materials at the end of the year as long as all program requirements are met and the student remains enrolled for the full school year.
If a family withdraws before the end of the school year or does not meet program requirements, all materials and technology must be returned in a timely manner. Return shipping is the responsibility of the parent. In some cases, families may have the option to purchase the items instead of returning them. Program requirements vary by state.
How do I access the supplemental learning points?
Each child is wonderfully unique and with the supplemental learning points system parents can choose the resources that will benefit their child the most. Half of the student’s points can be used per semester - 95,000 points/1st semester - (equivalent of $950) and 95,000 points/2nd semester). Unused first semester supplemental learning points can be rolled over into 2nd semester, as long as your student is still registered with Braintree Academy.
Supplemental learning resources are ordered directly by Braintree Academy and shipped at no cost to the family’s home.
Braintree Classes & Clubs – Virtual classes and clubs have a points value associated with them. When parents sign-up their students for these resources, the points are deducted from the students’ supplemental learning points total.
Optional Homeroom Resources – Parents will find a list of optional homeroom resources in Sign-Up Central at greatly discounted group-buy prices once enrolled. The purchase price will be deducted from the student’s supplemental learning points.
Direct Order – Braintree Academy can purchase your approved supplemental learning resources from places like Amazon.com, Lakeshore Learning, Best Buy, and Rainbow Resource and have the items shipped to you directly. This service is FREE.
Parents can find additional information about the supplemental learning points, how to access direct ordering, and a list of items that are NOT approved in the Parent Guidebook after they are enrolled in Braintree Academy.
What subjects are required?
K-8 Students will have the four core subjects: Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies as well as two electives. The electives can be PE, fine arts, foreign language, technology, or anything the student is interested in.
How often do students/parents turn in student work?
Student submissions alternate each week between attendance reports, progress checks and portfolios. Progress checks consist of 3-5 sentences detailing what was learned in each of the four core subjects, while portfolios require a work sample. Work samples can include, but are not limited to, a worksheet, test, essay, picture of a project, or a video of your student explaining what they learned. Additionally, two electives are due one time per semester, and require an upload and brief explanation. Our goal is to keep reporting very simple!
Are students required to participate in State and District testing?
Benchmark Screener - Students in grades K-8 will be asked to participate in the ND A+ virtual interim assessment. K-2 students take the assessment three times per school year (fall, winter and spring), while grades 3-8 take the assessment two times (fall and winter). The assessment contains a reading and math section and is facilitated by a Braintree Academy teacher.
State and District Testing - Students in grades 3-8 will be asked to participate in the virtual ND state testing in the spring. Each grade will take a language arts and math test, while grades 4 and 8 also take a science test.
How will my child be graded?
The grading system is designed to help your child succeed. K-6 students receive a pass/fail grade for their classes and 7th grade and up receive letter grades.
Grades are determined as teachers receive student learning submissions. The learning submission process is designed to showcase your student’s strengths while keeping the reporting very simple and easy!
A certified teacher will review each submission and ensure the student has met requirements. If a student is struggling in daily work and not meeting mastery goals, the homeroom teacher is there to help.
Do you offer field trips?
Yes! We offer FREE field trips EVERY month! These activities are free for our students and at least one parent. Most of the time, additional siblings or parents can attend at a discounted rate. These field trips are such a fun benefit of our program! We provide many activity opportunities throughout the year. Field trips include outdoor activities, educational opportunities, and fun entertainment for the family.
Braintree Academy also offers virtual field trips. A few of the events our families have enjoyed include attending online book clubs and tea parties, viewing exotic reptiles, watercolor classes, storytime, learning about severe weather, exploring the constitution, meeting authors, touring a TV station, and enjoying a virtual tour of Jamestown!
How do electives work?
There are SO MANY fun ways for K-8 students to fill elective requirements. Families are welcome to create their own custom elective plan – gathering their ownresources using the supplemental learning points. Braintree Academy offers virtual clubs that students can participate in. When parents sign-up their students for these resources, the value will be deducted from the students’ supplemental learning points.
Braintree Academy virtual clubs provide opportunities for youth to participate in activities, interact with peers in a positive and supervised setting, as well as pursue interests and develop skills. Many students fulfill elective requirements while participating in these virtual clubs.
Do you offer live, online classes?
Yes, absolutely! Live, online classes are available as an optional resource for students, offering real-time instruction across each core subject and grade level. Please note that these classes have fees, which are deducted from the student’s supplemental learning points.
Many families also enjoy the live, online clubs which cover a wide variety of interests.
If/when my child is accepted, will I receive additional information?
Yes! Once enrollment has been completed, an acceptance email will be provided with additional information, including the Parent Guidebook.
What is the enrollment process?
North Dakota enrollment requires proof of residence, a birth certificate, immunization information, and other school-specific documents. In order to apply, please email northdakota@braintreeEd.com for enrollment instructions.
After the information is reviewed and approved, you will receive a confirmation email letting you know your student is fully enrolled.
Are there any other requirements to be apart of the program?
Students in grades 3-8 will complete a Student Engagement Survey. Feedback through this survey is essential to the continued support and growth of Braintree Academy/Yellowstone Virtual Academy. By sharing what works well and where we can improve, you help us ensure our school remains a great choice for families.
Can I get an overview of the program in a video?
Yes! We have a video that you can watch that walks you through the program. Click here to watch now.
How can I get connected with fellow Braintree Academy families and students?
Great Question! We offer a community support group for North Dakota Braintree Academy families on Facebook.
Additionally there is a Braintree Facebook page and Instagram account that offers weekly educational resources and inspiration for families!
Follow Us @Braintree4Me
Can I talk to a live representative about all my questions?
Yes! We would love to talk with you about any or all the questions you have. You can request a call back by filling out the following form: Request a callback with Braintree!
Also, you can join in on a Weekly Zoom Meeting if you would like to talk face to face.
Mondays @ 10am (MT) | Select the Zoom Link Here!
I have additional questions. How do I get more answers?
Contact Us with your questions by reaching out to our State Coordinator.
NorthDakota@BraintreeEd.com - Elisha Knudsen
We also have a program overview video that you can watch at your convenience. Click here to watch now.