Homeschool benefits: Copper River School District

Upstream Learning, Copper River School District's statewide homeschool program, gives each student an allotment of $1,800 for grades K-4, $2,100 for grades 5-8, or $2,600 for grades 9-12 for curriculum, technology, and activities. Any Alaska student can enroll year-round; full funding goes to students enrolled before October 1, and half funding through January 31.

By Andrew Garber, founder of TheHomeschoolingCompany. Reviewed August 25, 2026.

Who qualifies

1. Lives in Alaska

   Upstream Learning accepts students from throughout Alaska. It is a public program, so there is no cost to enroll.

2. Registers on Brightways

   Complete the enrollment application on the Brightways platform and a records request. Have a birth certificate, recent report card, guardianship papers, and a recent physical ready if they apply.

3. Completes an ILP

   You, your student, and a support teacher build an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) with a schedule and curriculum. Allotment funds open once the ILP is complete.

What it is worth

Upstream Learning's allotment page lists the full-year amounts, and its posted handbook (revised June 2023) prorates them by enrollment date.

K-4, enrolled before Oct. 1

$1,800

Grades 5-8, enrolled before Oct. 1

$2,100

Grades 9-12, enrolled before Oct. 1

$2,600

Preschool sibling of an enrolled student

$200

Grades 9-12, enrolled Oct. 1-Jan. 31 (50%)

$1,300

Grades 9-12, enrolled Feb. 1-15 (25%)

$650

Enrolled after Feb. 15

$0

The proration table comes from a handbook last revised in June 2023, so confirm the current percentages with the office before you count on them.

From enrolling to spending it

1. Any time

   Register

   Apply on Brightways and submit the records request. Spring and summer enrollment gets funds ready for July 1.

2. After registering

   Build the ILP

   Plan the year with your support teacher on Brightways and choose curriculum. Curriculum must be reviewed by the support teacher before you buy it.

3. During the year

   Order or get reimbursed

   Ask the office to place orders or buy items yourself and submit itemized receipts with a signed reimbursement form. Credit card statements are not accepted.

4. By May 15

   Turn in receipts

   The handbook sets May 15 as the deadline for the year's reimbursement forms and receipts.

5. Each year

   Re-enroll

   Unused allotment rolls over and combines with next year's amount if your child stays enrolled.

What it pays for

Covered

• Curriculum and classroom supplies
• Computers, tablets, and other technology
• Lessons such as music, art, coding, and sports
• Internet, up to $80 a month for nine months

Not covered

• Faith-based curriculum
• Services from a family member
• Family travel
• Clothing, backpacks, and sports fees
• Lost book, late, and re-testing fees

Allotments for children in the same family are combined into one family balance, and the office keeps a running tally.

Good to know

• Your child enrolls to get the allotment

  Upstream Learning is a public homeschool program of Copper River School District, so your child enrolls there and you choose the curriculum and activities with a support teacher's help.

• Late enrollees still get a smaller allotment

  Under the handbook's table, students who enroll October 1 through January 31 receive 50% of the allotment, and those who enroll February 1-15 receive 25%.

Who to contact

The Upstream Learning office in Glennallen answers enrollment and allotment questions, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

upstream@crsd.us 907-822-8526 Enrollment page

Homeschool rules and statewide help in Alaska

You do not have to file a homeschool notice.

Alaska sets these rules:

• Subjects: Alaska does not require specific subjects or a particular curriculum.
• Testing: Alaska does not require standardized testing for homeschoolers.
• Records: Alaska does not require homeschool records.
• Teachers: Alaska does not require a teaching certificate or degree to homeschool your own child.

Read the Alaska homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Alaska

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