Homeschool benefits: Ottumwa Community School District
Ottumwa Community School District provides free homeschool support to students who live in the district. Your family can borrow curriculum materials, consult certified K-12 instructors, and join monthly hands-on classes and activities.
Who qualifies
Your child lives in the district
The district says the Home School Assistance Program (HSAP) is free to any student residing within its boundaries.
Your family chooses home instruction
The program provides academic support to families who want to homeschool their children.
Return borrowed curriculum
Families check materials out of the Lending Library and return them for other families to use.
Dual enroll for school activities
The district welcomes dual-enrolled students into extracurricular activities, sports, and academic classes.
What the program gives you
Ottumwa's program page identifies free resident participation, monthly activities, curriculum lending, and testing services.
- Program participation
- Free for district residents
- Texts and enrichment books
- Borrow and return to the Lending Library
- Computer programs
- Curriculum support through the program
- Hands-on classes and activities
- Monthly
- Consultation and testing
- Provided by the HSAP
How to use the program
- Before joining
Contact the home school office
Call 641-684-8672 to discuss enrolling your child and available support.
- When planning instruction
Choose curriculum resources
Use texts, enrichment books, and computer programs to complete or complement your child's curriculum.
- During the school year
Use teacher support
Consult certified K-12 instructors and use program testing services.
- Each month
Join hands-on activities
Participate in classes and activities; the program also offers field trips and community service projects.
- After using materials
Return your loans
Return borrowed resources to the Lending Library so other families can use them.
What it includes
Included
- Curriculum loans
- Teacher consultation
- Testing services
- Monthly classes
- Field trips
Who to contact
The Home School Office answers questions about joining the program and using its resources.
641-684-8672 Program and office details
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Iowa
You do not have to file a homeschool notice for independent private instruction.
Iowa sets these rules:
- Subjects: IPI must cover mathematics, reading and language arts, science, and social studies at all grade levels. CPI must provide at least 148 days of instruction annually, with attendance on at least 37 days each school quarter; its other rules depend on the option.
- Testing: No standardized testing required for independent option.
- Records: IPI must provide specified instructor, location, authority, and student information on written request; CPI reporting and record rules depend on the option.
- Teachers: Iowa does not require a teaching certificate or degree to homeschool your own child.
Read the Iowa homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Iowa
Questions parents ask
- Do we keep Ottumwa's curriculum books?
- No. The Lending Library lends materials to families and expects them back for reuse.
- Can my child take part in Ottumwa school music or sports?
- Yes, through dual enrollment. Ottumwa welcomes dual-enrolled students into band, orchestra, choir, sports, and academic classes.
- Is support limited to borrowing books?
- No. You can also consult certified K-12 instructors, use testing services, and join hands-on activities, field trips, and community service projects.
- How do we enroll?
- Call the home school office at 641-684-8672 to discuss enrolling your child and the support available.
Turn support into your child’s next lesson
Local classes cover the subjects they offer. We teach the remaining subjects, so a local class can stay part of the year without becoming the whole curriculum.
$149/month per child after the trial.
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