Homeschool benefits: Allendale Public Schools
Allendale Public Schools lets a homeschooled student take a partial schedule of non-core classes, such as art, band or choir, PE, technology, Spanish or French, and Advanced Placement courses, at any of its schools. Students at a grade 6 level or above can also take online classes through the district's Cyber School; start by contacting the principal of the school for your child's grade.
Who qualifies
Homeschools your child
The district's Home School Options welcome a homeschooled student for one class or more. Contact the building principal for your child's grade level to begin.
Fits the master schedule
Which non-core classes your child can take depends on each school's master schedule.
Grade 6 level for Cyber School
Online Cyber School classes are open to students who are at least grade 6 equivalent. Ask the middle school or high school principal which courses are available.
Completes registration
Enrolling students upload documents in online registration, or email, fax, or bring them to the District Administration Office.
What your child can take
The options come from the Home School Options section of Allendale Public Schools' enrollment page.
- Art, music, PE, computer literacy, technology
- Partial schedule, as space allows
- Spanish or French
- Partial schedule, as space allows
- Advanced Placement classes
- Partial schedule, as space allows
- Online Cyber School classes
- Grade 6 equivalent or above
- High school sports (grades 9-12)
- Two-thirds of a full-time load
- Middle school sports (grades 7-8)
- Half of a full-time load
A full schedule is a different path: your child takes a placement test and you meet with the principal, so ask how that changes your homeschool status before you choose it.
How to enroll part time
- Before the semester
Call the principal
Contact the principal of the Allendale school serving your child's grade and ask which non-core or Cyber School classes have room.
- To enroll
Register with the district
Complete registration and send documents through the online form, by email to registration@apsfalcons.net, by fax to 616-895-6690, or in person.
- For sports
Check the class load
To play a Michigan High School Athletic Association sport, enroll for two-thirds of a full-time load in grades 9-12 or half a load in grades 7-8.
- Each semester
Rebuild the schedule
Class availability follows each school's master schedule, so confirm your child's classes before every term.
What it includes
Included
- Art, band, choir, and physical education
- Computer literacy and technology education
- Spanish and French
- Advanced Placement classes
Not included
- Core classes on a partial schedule
- Sports without the required class load
Good to know
Your child can take just one class
Allendale invites families to enroll a homeschooled student for one class or more, in non-core subjects such as art, music, PE, technology, world languages, and AP courses.
Online classes from home start at a grade 6 level
The middle school or high school principal can tell you which courses are available.
Who to contact about home school options
The District Administration Office at 10505 Learning Lane handles registration, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the school year.
registration@apsfalcons.net 616-892-5570 Enrollment page
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Michigan
No state report under the parent-led homeschool exemption, MCL 380.1561(3)(f). The nonpublic-school route has separate reporting; an annual membership report is required for eligibility for auxiliary services.
Michigan sets these rules:
- Subjects: Under exemption (f), provide an organized program in reading, spelling, math, science, history, civics, literature, writing, and English grammar. The nonpublic-school route requires subjects comparable to local public schools.
- Testing: Michigan does not require standardized testing for homeschoolers.
- Records: No prescribed homeschool portfolio or attendance-record format under exemption (f). Keep progress records for transfers; the nonpublic-school route has separate reporting requirements.
- Teachers: Under exemption (f), the instructor must be the child’s parent or legal guardian; no degree or teaching credential is required. MDE requires a reporting nonpublic homeschool parent to have at least a bachelor’s degree unless a sincerely held religious objection applies.
Read the Michigan homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Michigan
Questions parents ask
- Can my child play on an Allendale team?
- Yes, with enough classes. High school athletes need two-thirds of a full-time class load and grades 7-8 need half. Athletic Director Jason Dykstra answers questions at 616-892-5590.
- What if we want a full schedule?
- A student enrolling full time takes a placement test, and then you and the principal meet to decide placement.
- Do we have to live in Allendale?
- The page does not say. It sets no residency rule for Home School Options, and Schools of Choice is a separate process for non-resident students, so ask the District Administration Office which applies to you.
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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