Frequently Asked Questions
Is Braintree Academy a Public Charter/District School or a Private School?
Braintree Academy acts as a bridge between school districts
and families who want to educate at home.
In Idaho, our partner is Idaho Home Learning Academy - A Public Virtual Charter School. Braintree Academy staff and teachers partner with parents to provide personalized education for every student. Students throughout all of Idaho are invited to apply and receive FREE learning resources and support as they learn from home.
How much does the Braintree program cost?
An education through Braintree Academy is personalized and FREE.
In addition, parents also receive access to a 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/Idaho Home Learning 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:
Brainpop and Brainpop Jr.
Epic (during school hours)
Generation Genius
Khan Academy
Salsa Spanish
Tangy Tuesday
Teach Your Monster to Read
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 learning funds. Parents can opt into any of these programs. Additional information about each resource can be found in Sign Up Central.
Math:
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ALEKS
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Beast Academy Online
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CTC Math
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Dreambox Math
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Frax Math
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Mathletics
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Mathseeds
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My Math Academy
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Prodigy Math
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Reflex Math
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Sumdog
Language Arts:
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Adventure Academy
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Accelerated Reader
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Exact Path
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Hairy Reading
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Headsprout/RAZ Kids
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Lexia Core5
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Lexia Power Up
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MIWrite (grades 3-12)
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Moby Max
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Nessy Reading and Spelling
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Reading Eggs/Eggspress
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Quill
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Vooks
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Waterford
Electives:
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Adobe Creative Cloud
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Centervention
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Code Monkey
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IXL Spanish
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Microsoft 365
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Sign it: ASL!
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The ULAT
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Touch-type, Read, Spell
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Tynker
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Typing Club
Multi-Subject Resources:
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Education.com Premium
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Exact Path
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IXL
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Moby Max
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Study Island
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Braintree Academy teacher-led online classes
Social Studies and Science:
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IXL
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Kids Discover Online
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Moby Max
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Mystery Science
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.
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 learning resources that works 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. (Idaho.Braintree@Malad.us)
What are supplemental learning resource funds?
Each student will receive $1700 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. *Students that join the program after the start of the school year will receive a pro-rated amount of supplemental learning funds.
Do we get to keep the learning resources we receive
through the supplemental learning fund?
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 progress checks. 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 (unless Braintree Academy classifies materials as consumable). 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. Students have access to $1700 in funds for the school year. Half of that amount can be used per semester ($850/semester).
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 funds.
Reimbursements – Beginning in May, of the upcoming school year, parents can begin purchasing learning resources, classes, and other approved materials. 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.
Students in 7th or 8th grade are required to take one semester of health and one semester of P.E. either in 7th or 8th grade. These subjects will fit in the elective spots.
Students in High School will need to take the courses that are required for graduation.
How often do students/parents turn in student work?
Students in grades K-8 grade will turn in Portfolio Submissions (summative assessments) bi-weekly. The weeks in between will be Progress Checks (formative assessments).
Work samples are turned in with portfolio submissions. There are also work samples/reporting on electives twice a year. Work samples consist of a learning sample, showcasing the student's best work. Work samples can be in the form of a worksheet, test, paper, picture of a project, or video of your student explaining what they have learned.
Progress Checks are personalized for each student. These checks can be in the form of a video or phone call conference, submission of a work in progress, progress update email, or participation in a discussion board, anchor class, or virtual class.
Our goal is to keep reporting very simple and easy!
For high schoolers, the frequency of submissions depends on which courses they are taking.
Are students required to participate in State testing?
Yes. All students are required to participate in State tests.
ISIP (IRI) – Grades K-3 take the ISIP (or IRI) in Fall and Spring virtually*. Approx 30 min.
ISAT – Grades 3-11 take the ISAT Virtual* or in-person test in the Spring. All grades complete the Math and ELA test. Students in 5th and 8th grade also take a Science test. Testing is not timed and some students are done with each test in about one hour and other students take longer. The ISAT is proctored at locations throughout the state.
Reading Screener – All 4th & 5th grade students must also take a virtual reading screener (approx 30 min).
***Note: Virtual testing options will be decided by the state each year.***
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 included 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?
Students in grades K-8 are required to have 2 electives each year. 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 live virtual classes?
Yes, absolutely!
All K12 students have access to provided curriculum and are placed in a homeroom/classes with a State-certified teacher. Many families also enjoy the live virtual clubs which are led by a club advisor and cover a wide variety of interests.
K-8 Students can personalize their learning with us by adding live virtual classes where they can interact with other students throughout the United States! These courses are designed to extend learning through live peer interaction in a synchronous environment.
Do you offer on-site or drop-off programs?
No, unfortunately we don’t.
Braintree Academy DOES offer fantastic virtual classes, taught be state-certified teachers, so students can learn in a classroom setting with peers.
If you are looking for in-person opportunities we encourage you to explore local options within your community. There are many community classes, co-ops, and clubs that offer social and learning opportunities for students.
Many Braintree Academy families enjoy connecting with families in their local area to form their own groups to meet the needs of their students. This often leads to park days, learning co-ops, classes, and more.
Parents are welcome to post their ideas and find families who would like to participate in their plans on the Braintree Academy Idaho Facebook Groups.
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?
Step 1: Enroll with our partner School District, Idaho Home Learning Academy. The registration requires proof of residence, birth certificate, and immunization information.
Step 2: Then, parents will first submit a registration form on our website.
After all information is reviewed and approved, you will receive a confirmation email letting you know your student is fully registered.
If you have questions about the process, please reach out to Idaho.Braintree@Malad.Us for help and support in registration.
How can I get connected with fellow Braintree Academy
families and students?
Great Question! We offer a community support group(s) for Idaho 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
I have additional questions. How do I get more answers?
Contact Us with your questions by reaching out to our State Coordinator.
Idaho.Braintree@Malad.Us - Annasarah Ferguson