Homeschool benefits and savings in Caldwell County Schools
EmpowerEd Caldwell, a Caldwell County Schools program, lets registered homeschool students in grades 6-12 dual-enroll in self-paced online courses taught by North Carolina-certified teachers, with a district Chromebook, at no cost to your family. Caldwell County residents can also join sports, arts, and clubs at their zoned school, and online students anywhere in North Carolina can take part.
Who qualifies
Is in grades 6-12
EmpowerEd serves middle and high school students starting in the 2026-27 school year.
Stays a registered homeschooler
Homeschool students keep their homeschool status and dual-enroll for specific courses, sports, or arts.
Lives in North Carolina
Online courses are open to students across North Carolina. Caldwell County residents get the widest access, including activities at their zoned school.
Has a ride for campus activities
To take part in programs at a zoned school, your student needs transportation to and from the campus.
What your student gets
The terms come from Caldwell County Schools' EmpowerEd Caldwell page.
- Courses
- No cost, online and self-paced
- Device
- District Chromebook, student use only
- Teachers
- NC-certified, with one-on-one virtual office hours
- Arts
- Band, choral, theater, visual arts
- Athletics
- NCHSAA teams for Caldwell residents
- School life
- Prom, graduation, clubs, field trips
Out-of-county students can join most extracurriculars and special programs, but athletics depends on specific circumstances, so ask the EmpowerEd team before you plan on a team spot.
How to join
- Before you enroll
Call or email the team
Contact the EmpowerEd team to start a conversation about your student's courses and activities. The page lists no fixed deadline.
- After the consultation
Choose courses and activities
Pick the specific courses, sports, or arts your student will dual-enroll in while staying homeschooled.
- At the start
Get the Chromebook
Your student receives a district-owned Chromebook loaded with the required software and security filters.
- During the year
Work with the teacher
A North Carolina-certified teacher grades each course, gives feedback, and holds one-on-one virtual office hours, with in-person help available.
What it includes
Included
- Online courses from a broad catalog
- A district Chromebook
- Certified teacher grading and office hours
- Arts, clubs, and school events
Not included
- Transportation to campus activities
- Guaranteed athletics for out-of-county students
Who to contact about EmpowerEd Caldwell
The EmpowerEd team and principal Dr. Katie Elliott answer enrollment, course, and activity questions for homeschool families.
kelliott@caldwellschools.com 828-726-3855 EmpowerEd Caldwell
Homeschool rules and statewide help in North Carolina
You must file the Notice of Intent with DNPE at least five business days before home instruction begins; wait for DNPE acknowledgment before withdrawing or starting. No annual renewal is required while operating; notify DNPE when the school closes.
North Carolina sets these rules:
- Subjects: Parents choose the curriculum. Operate on a regular schedule for at least nine calendar months each year, excluding reasonable holidays and vacations.
- Testing: Administer a nationally standardized achievement test each year covering English grammar, reading, spelling, and mathematics.
- Records: Keep attendance and immunization records. Retain annual test results for at least one year and make them available to DNPE on request.
- Teachers: The teaching parent needs a high school diploma or equivalent in North Carolina.
North Carolina also has an education savings account that home-educated students can use.
- Education Student Accounts (ESA+) pay $9,000 a year, or $17,000 for certain disabilities, to students with a documented disability, including homeschooled students. Funding can run out before the school year starts.
Read the North Carolina homeschooling guide See statewide programs in North Carolina
Questions parents ask
- Does my child have to stop homeschooling to join EmpowerEd Caldwell?
- No. EmpowerEd says homeschool students keep their status and the district provides the support for the courses or activities they choose.
- Is EmpowerEd a charter school?
- No. It is part of Caldwell County Schools.
- We live outside Caldwell County. Can my child join?
- Yes, for online courses and most extracurriculars. Athletics for out-of-county students depends on the circumstances, so ask for a personal consultation.
- Does my child have to log in at set times?
- No. The courses are asynchronous, so your student works on a flexible schedule.
- Can the Chromebook be shared with siblings?
- No. The district-owned Chromebook is for the enrolled student's use only.
Turn support into your child’s next lesson
College classes can cover part of high school. We teach the subjects your child needs alongside them, starting at the right level in each subject.
$149/month per child after the trial.
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