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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. We partner with families and provide access to educational resources. Students are registered as full-time public-school students with our partner district in their specific state. In Wyoming, our partner is Weston Co. School District 7. Students throughout all of Wyoming are invited to apply and receive FREE resources and support as they learn from home as full-time enrolled students within Weston Co. School District 7.
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 funds which can be used to select customized learning resources for their children.
What does the school calendar and daily schedule look like?
Students follow a traditional school year calendar. Students are not required to login every day or keep track of seat time. We understand that students are learning at home all day, every day. Parents decide what they want their daily schedule to look like.
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 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?
Free Online Curriculum Braintree Academy will provide comprehensive online curriculum resources to all students at no cost to families. 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. Many additional resources are available through direct order or through reimbursement.
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 for direct orders and reimbursements.
What if I need help choosing the learning resources that
are best for my child?
We would love to help! Our 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. (Wyoming@BraintreeEd.com)
What are supplemental learning resource funds?
Each student will receive $1900 in supplemental learning funds each year. They receive access to half that amount for first semester and the remaining half for second semester. These funds can be used 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, gym memberships, tech items and so many more things can be purchased with the supplemental learning funds. A parent gets access to these funds through direct orders and/or reimbursements.
Unused first semester supplemental learning funds 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 Funds.
Do we get to keep the learning resources we receive through the supplemental learning funds?
Yes, as long as you meet all program requirements for the year and do not withdraw, the learning resources are yours to keep. Program requirements include state testing, bi-weekly reporting, and attendance check-ins. If a family chooses to withdraw from the program before the end of the school year, or does not meet program requirements, all materials and technology must be returned to the program in a timely manner. Return postage is the responsibility of the parent. Parents may also have the option of purchasing the items from Braintree Academy instead of returning them.
How do I access the supplemental learning funds?
Each child is wonderfully unique and with the supplemental learning funds parents can choose the resources that will benefit their child the most. Half the amount of the supplemental learning funds is accessed during 1st Semester and the next half during 2nd Semester. Unused first semester supplemental learning funds can be rolled over into 2nd semester, as long as your student is still registered with Braintree Academy.
Supplemental Learning funds can be accessed in multiple ways:
Braintree Classes & Clubs– Virtual Live Classes and Clubs have a fee associated with them. When parents sign-up their students for these resources, the fee will be deducted from the students’ supplemental learning resource funds.
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 fund.
Reimbursements – Beginning in May, of the upcoming school year, parents can begin purchasing learning resources and classes. Receipts can be submitted for reimbursement at the appropriate time.
Direct Order – Braintree Academy can purchase your approved supplemental learning resources from places like Amazon.com, Lakeshore Learning, Costco, and Rainbow Resource and have the items shipped to you directly. This service is FREE.
Parents can find additional information about the supplemental learning funds, how to access direct ordering, and a list of items that are NOT approved for reimbursement 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. Wyoming students must take PE as one of their electives. Each Wyoming student also shares an art work sample one semester and one music sample the other semester. K-2nd grade students must also share a foreign language work sample.
Parents are welcome to enroll their child in as many electives as they’d like. If your student joins a virtual club that isn’t PE, Music, or Art, they are still welcome to participate—there just won’t be any reporting requirements for that activity.
How often do students/parents turn in student work?
Families turn in student learning submissions every two weeks for the four core classes. There are also work samples/reporting on electives twice a year. Submissions consist of a learning sample which can be in the form of a worksheet, test, paper, picture of a project, or video of your student explaining what they have learned. Our goal is to keep reporting very simple and easy!
Are students required to participate in State testing?
Yes. All students are required to participate in state tests.
For grades K-3rd, FastBridge Reading screener is required three times a year. Typically in October, December and May. These are done virtually with your homeroom teacher and can take roughly 30 mins.
Grades 3rd-8th are required to take the WYTOPP state standardized test. Administered mid-April to mid-May. Those are done in person in most major cities throughout Wyoming. Some travel to testing sites may be required for those that live in rural locations.
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!
What courses or clubs are offered as electives?
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 own resources using the supplemental learning funds. Braintree Academy offers virtual clubs that students can participate in. Fees for virtual clubs can come from the student’s supplemental learning funds. 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 teacher-led courses or classes?
Yes, absolutely! Many parents prefer that some subjects be taught to their student by a certified teacher. Virtual teacher-led classes are part of the optional resources parents have access to for their students. There are classes offered in each core subject for each grade level. These classes have fees which will be deducted from the student’s supplemental learning funds.
Many families also enjoy the virtual clubs which are teacher-led and 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?
Click APPLY on this website and fill out the Wyoming registration. After the packet is approved, you will receive a confirmation email letting you know your student is fully enrolled. If you have questions about the process, please reach out to Wyoming@BraintreeEd.com for help and support in enrollment.
Does Braintree offer Special Education services?
Yes! We do work with Weston School District to support students with IEP and 504s. Our SPED team is great!
Can my child still participate in their local school sports?
Our partnering district, Weston County SD7, has no problem with your child participating in their local school after school-sports. That would be up to your local school. However, if your local school will not allow it, they could also sign up for rec or club sports through their community.
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 Wyoming 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.
Wyoming@BraintreeEd.com - Denise Dutta
We also have a program overview video that you can watch at your convenience. Click here to watch now.