FAQ

Charis' doors opened in August 2017 as a Highlands Latin Cottage School.  For our 2019 - 2020  school year, we transitioned from being Highlands Latin to Charis Classical Academy and adjusted our schedule to accommodate a 2 or 3 day part-time school.

No.  A homeschool co-op is a group of homeschooling families who work together to meet common goals, such as education, socialization, or activities.  Typically, a co-op is parent led and works to come alongside a family's homeschooling journey.  

Charis Classical Academy functions as a school, with set curriculum, course of study, and schedule.  While our students are still considered 'homeschoolers," their education is primarily being taught in the classroom by employed teachers, with minimal material being taught by the parents at home.  Our program operates like a typical 5-day a week school, but with a couple of days a week doing school at home.  A better term for this kind of schooling is a “part-time private school" or “hybrid schooling.”

In summary, a homeschool co-op emphasizes parental collaboration and community, while a part-time school provides a more structured, formal educational setting for students attending only part-time.

Due to the comprehensive and cohesive nature of our program, we do not allow students to enroll part-time until 11th grade.  The half-day Monday electives for K-4th grade are optional, however.  

We are not a chartered school, so therefore, we can not accept Ed Choice.  However, we are a member of the Ohio Christian Education Network, which offers scholarship opportunities for students to attend Charis.  

We have partnered with OCEN to be able to provide need-based scholarships thanks to the donations of families to the organization.  To learn more about OCEN and how you can help, go to ohiocen.org

Because our tuition is already priced lower per class than other private schools, we do not offer sibling discounts at this time. 

No.  We desire our students to maintain a school-home balance and spend time working at home alongside his/her parents. We value the partnership model, giving our parents time with their students at home to nurture and disciple them, while aiding in their education.

At Charis, the study of Latin begins in 3rd grade and continues through high school, although after 8th grade, students may opt to change to another language study.  Latin is required of our students through 8th grade.  We believe the learning of Latin is foundational in classical education for many reasons….

• It is the root of many modern languages (like Spanish, French, and Italian), so studying it can help students understand vocabulary and grammar in those languages.
• Latin has significantly influenced Western literature, philosophy, law, and science. Knowing Latin allows students to engage more deeply with classical texts and historical documents.
• Latin’s complex grammar and syntax challenge students to think critically and improve their analytical skills, which can be beneficial across subjects.
• Many English words, especially in academic and technical fields, are derived from Latin. Studying Latin can enhance vocabulary and comprehension.
• Classical education emphasizes a rigorous curriculum, and Latin is a traditional subject that aligns with this approach, fostering a sense of intellectual discipline.

At Charis, we currently do not have special education instructors on staff.  Therefore, we are unable to meet all the modifications a student with special needs might require.  Our ability to accept a student on a 509 or IEP plan would need to be determined during the family interview as a part of the admission process. 

Because we are a growing school, we do not have extra-curriculars, but we are always looking to expand! We welcome parents with a passion in a particular area to work with the leadership of Charis to plan and execute new groups, teams, activities, etc.  Many of our students participate in sports, theater, music, and more with local organizations around their homes.  We are excited for the option of more extra-curriculars to come to Charis one day!

There is no set formula for what an at-home day should look like.  This will vary from family to family, student to student.  Parents can expect to spend at least a half day up to a full day of school for their student to complete all their work.  The older grades will have more work than the younger grades. However, the older the student becomes, the more independent they grow.  In the Grammar stage, parents work alongside their student(s) regularly, helping solidify the material they learned in class.  As the student moves into the Logic and Rhetoric stages, the parent's involvement lessens as the student begins to take ownership of their learning. 

By the end of the day on Tuesday/Thursday, students and parents have access to a checklist provided by the teacher that gives them all their assignments to be completed at home the next day.  Some of those assignments require a lesson to be taught by the parent, but most of the material is reinforcement of what was learned in class.  The curriculum is comprehensive and gives the parents all the tools needed to complete work at home.  

Yes, our students wear uniforms. We have a simple, straight-forward uniform policy. By minimizing distractions related to fashion, uniforms encourage students to concentrate on their studies and school activities. Uniforms foster a sense of community and school pride, creating a shared identity among students. Uniforms can lessen the pressure to conform to specific fashion trends, allowing students to express themselves in other ways.

Overall, uniforms can contribute to a positive and focused learning environment.

At Charis Classical Academy, we have plenty of opportunities for our students to bond outside the classroom.  Field trips, Chess Club, Student Council, Yearbook and Journalism Club, service opportunities, and a mission trip for our Rhetoric students are just a few of the activities available.  We have Christmas and Spring Concerts, a Talent Show, Mother-Son and Father-Daughter events, a Fall Bonfire, and mom-only events that also foster that sense of community we so greatly love at Charis!