Homeschool benefits: Sitka School District
REACH, the Sitka School District's homeschool program, gives enrolled students allotment funding, a school device (an iPad for grades K-8 or a Surface Pro for grades 6-12), a certified teacher in Sitka, and the REACH Lending Library. Families in the City and Borough of Sitka can enroll any time of year; enrolling by September 30 earns the full allotment, and enrolling during the October count earns 5% for each verified day.
Who qualifies
Lives in Sitka
Your child must live in the City and Borough of Sitka, and REACH may ask for proof of residency.
Not enrolled elsewhere
You sign a statement that your child is not enrolled in any other public school in Alaska.
Meets the age rules
Kindergartners must be 5 by September 1. Proof of age is required for kindergarten, first grade, and any student new to the district, and Alaska immunization rules apply, with religious and medical waivers available.
Keeps up with reporting
Submit an Individual Learning Plan (ILP), check in monthly, send quarterly progress reports and work samples, and take state and district assessments for your child's grade.
What enrollment gives you
REACH's enrollment period page sets the allotment by enrollment date, and its home page lists the devices and teacher support every student receives.
- Enrolled by Sept. 30
- Full allotment
- Enrolled during the October count
- 5% per day
- Enrolled after the count period
- No allotment
- Device for grades K-8
- iPad
- Device for grades 6-12
- Surface Pro
- Lending Library and laptop checkout
- All families
REACH's website does not publish the allotment amount, so ask the REACH coordinator how much a full allotment is this year and what it can buy.
From enrolling to staying enrolled
- Any time
Enroll online or in person
Complete enrollment at sitkaschools.org or at the REACH office in Xóots Elementary School, Room 30. The office sees families by appointment, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- By Sept. 15
Turn in the ILP
Submit your child's Individual Learning Plan on or before September 15 of the school year you enroll.
- By Sept. 30
Lock in full funding
Families enrolled by September 30 receive the full allotment. Enrolling during the October count period earns 5% of it for each verified day.
- Monthly and quarterly
Report progress
Update REACH each month by email, phone, or meeting, and send progress reports and work samples in October, December, March, and May. At-risk students check in weekly.
What it includes
Included
- Allotment funding for enrolled students
- An iPad or Surface Pro
- A certified teacher in Sitka
- Lending Library curricula, kits, books, and games
Not included
- Students enrolled in another Alaska public school
- Allotment for enrollment after the October count
Good to know
Your child enrolls as a district student
REACH is the Sitka School District's homeschool program, so your child enrolls as a district student while you choose the curriculum and teach at home with a certified teacher's support.
Enrollment stays open after September 30
REACH enrolls all year. October count-period enrollees get 5% of the allotment per verified day; later enrollees get no allotment but keep REACH services.
Who to contact about REACH
Jamie Eells, the REACH coordinator, answers enrollment and allotment questions, and the office schedules appointments.
eellsj@sitkaschools.org 907-621-8008 Enrollment requirements
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
Questions parents ask
- How much is the allotment?
- REACH's pages do not list a dollar amount. Ask the coordinator at 907-621-8013 or eellsj@sitkaschools.org for this year's figure and the REACH Handbook, which explains allotment funds.
- Does my child get a device?
- Yes. REACH lists iPads for grades K-8 and Surface Pros for grades 6-12 as part of enrollment.
- Do we have to take state tests?
- Yes. REACH students take all state and district assessments required for their grade level.
Turn support into your child’s next lesson
TheHomeschoolingCompany offers one subject or a full curriculum. Check the program’s purchasing rules before using funds to pay for a plan.
$149/month per child after the trial.
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