How is Prenda tuition-free? Tuition-free microschools in Arizona are made available through charter school partnerships with Sequoia Choice Arizona Distance Learning and Freedom Prep Academy. Prenda is also an Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program vendor for families who qualify. 

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2022-2023 Student Enrollment

Students in Arizona can join Prenda at any point between August 1st and May 1st. If the May 1st deadline is missed, families can join Prenda the following school year. Follow the simple steps below to enroll your child(ren) via Prenda's enrollment portal.

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1. Create an account in Prenda’s enrollment portal

2. Add a student profile for each student (NEW students only)

If your child was enrolled last year, you'll be able to select their name, unless you miss the August 31st deadline. If enrolling after the returning student deadline, you'll add their name as a new student to Prenda.

3. Confirm whether your child is new or returning to Prenda

4. Select your program and funding source

Program: Prenda Microschool, Familyschool, or Prenda Platform. Funding Source: Sequoia Choice Arizona Distance Learning, Freedom Prep Academy, ESA, or monthly subscription (Prenda Platform).

5. Choose your microschool 

You can choose a microschool later if you don't have one picked out yet. Once you find a microschool, ask your Guide for their Guide code to register.

6. Submit the online enrollment form and upload documents

Be sure to have all of your student’s documents ready! We’ll let you know via email when your registration is complete, or if we need any additional information. Typically, it takes 1-2 weeks to process and finalize.

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Note: If you are enrolling with our charter school partner Sequoia Choice, you will be directed to create an account and complete an enrollment form in PowerSchool Enrollment.

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Enrollment FAQs

When can I select a microschool? You can start exploring the microschool map whenever you’d like. You’ll receive a link to the map via email after you start the enrollment process or by filling out the request for information form. ‍Microschools are added to the map regularly, so we encourage parents to check it often. Still, you don't need to have selected a microschool to get started on enrollment.

When will school start? Prenda Guides set their own first day of school, so this is a great question to ask as you are connecting with Guides on the microschool map. Microschools are open for learning for the 2022-2023 school year.

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Do I need to complete a separate enrollment form for each of my children? Yes, but you will only need to create one account in the enrollment portal. You’ll add basic information and upload documents for each child you are enrolling. 

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What documents will I need for enrollment? Enrollment looks a little different depending on whether you are enrolling with one of our charter school partners or using ESA funds. The following documents will need to be submitted and processed before your child can begin attending school. 

Charter school partner documents

1. Prenda Enrollment Form
2. Powerschool Enrollment Form (if enrolling via Sequoia Choice Arizona Distance Learning)
3. Child’s proof of age, such as a state-issued birth certificate
4. Proof of residence, such as a utility bill 
5. Immunization records, medical exemption form, or non-medical exemption form
6. IEP or 504 plan, if applicable
7. Custody documentation, if applicable

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ESA documents

1. Online enrollment form via Prenda's enrollment portal
2. Powerschool Enrollment Form (if enrolling via Sequoia Choice Arizona Distance Learning)
3. Signed ESA contract
4. Child’s proof of age, such as a state-issued birth certificate
5. IEP or 504 plan, if applicable (optional)
6. Custody documentation, if applicable

What is the cut-off date for Kindergarten? Kindergarten students must turn five before August 31st of the current school year in order to be enrolled in Prenda. 

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Have more questions? Drop us a line via email at support@prenda.co, or call/text us at (844) 477-3632.

Typically microschools observe a four-day school week from Monday through Thursday. Schedules are set by each Guide and can vary, but generally follow local district calendars. Guides provide an annual minimum of 576 in-class hours for Grades K-2 and 720 in-class hours for Grades 3-8.

Tip for parents: When you visit microschools, ask each Guide what school hours and days they have set. You can also ask if they follow a particular school district’s calendar, or if they have set their own. 

Guides are focused on getting to know each child, identifying their learning needs, implementing accommodations/modifications, and working with certified teachers and a team at Prenda to ensure that they continue to progress as learners. 

Does Prenda provide special education services? Students enrolled in Prenda through Sequoia Choice or Freedom Prep Academy have access to virtual special education services that will be provided by the charter partner. These include any special education services that charter schools are required to provide students. 

What support are Guides responsible for providing? When a student has an IEP or 504 and is enrolled through a charter partner, the Guide will attend IEP/504 meetings, take direction from specialists the child may be seeing outside of microschool hours, and communicate with the child’s parents and support team throughout the school year. Most Guides are not certified teachers and do not hold special education certifications, however, they do work closely with the service providers that specialize in these areas. 

Are ESA students provided with special education services? Prenda does not provide special education services, but our charter partners do. Since ESA students are not enrolled via a charter school, they do not receive those services. Many parents utilize their ESA funding to pay for such services. You can learn more about the ESA program in Arizona and apply by going to www.azed.gov/esa.

Additionally, K-3rd Grade students are given an Approved Universal Literacy and Dyslexia Screener (fall, winter, spring) to determine which students appear to be performing at the set grade level benchmark goals. This assessment is given within the first few weeks of school, or upon entry at any point in the year for new students, and again in the winter and spring.

Note: Kindergarten students do not participate in statewide testing in Arizona.

Students participate in i-Ready, an adaptive online assessment tool that measures what they know and what they need to learn next. This information is used to help Guides determine a learning plan that best meets the needs of each child. 

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Guides are also able to stay highly tuned into student progress because of the small and personalized learning environment. They regularly communicate with parents to share successes, challenges, and plans for continued progress. Every Guide is supported by a certified teacher and a team of individuals at Prenda that help monitor student progress and create learning plans to meet the needs of every child. ‍

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What is an adaptive online assessment tool? Rather than presenting all students with the same set of questions, this tool adjusts based on responses entered. When a student demonstrates understanding of a particular topic, the questions become more challenging. If a student is struggling with a concept the questions adapt to help determine what they do know. At the end of the day, the goal is for students to always be working at their learning frontier—that sweet spot between too easy and too difficult. This tool helps students do just that. 

The application process: 

1. After reading through the Guide requirements, you’re ready to submit your application. Then you’ll set up a virtual interview.
2. Next, we’ll chat with you, review your application, and let you know if you will be moving forward. 
3. If you do, we’ll help you get started on the necessary paperwork so you can begin onboarding. That’s where the real fun begins! You’ll learn all about our learning model, curriculum, and core values, and prepare to open your microschool. 
4. Finally, you’ll get step-by-step support as you begin your journey as a Guide and put the learning from onboarding into practice. 

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How long does it take to go through the application and onboarding process? It depends on how quickly you attend your virtual interview and submit the required documents. On average, it takes someone about two to three weeks to become a Guide. 

Here's what it takes to be an amazing Guide:

1. You're a lifelong learner—interested in Prenda's learning model and student-centered approach. You embody a growth mindset and, if you're new to this concept, you're excited to learn more.
2. You're comfortable using basic technology, or open to becoming more proficient. You have access to a reliable internet connection for you and your students.
3. You're excited to connect with parents to fill your microschool with 5-10 students. We'll team up with you, but you're dedicated to taking an active role in this. 
4. You're passionate about creating a safe environment for kids. You have some ideas for where you want your microschool to be held, or are open to exploring options with us.
5. You're 18+ years old and have worked with kids before (paid or unpaid experience). You can obtain a clear background check, CPR & First Aid certifications, and fingerprint clearance.

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Why do Guides need a fingerprint clearance card? This card shows that a thorough background check was administered by the state and is typically required by anyone working with children. The safety of our students is a top priority at Prenda, so we ensure that every Guide goes through this process. 

What is the process for getting a fingerprint clearance card? This card can be obtained in-person or online by the Department of Public Services and typically is received in the mail within a few weeks.

Guides are paid per student per year, which amounts to $6,780 - $22,600 per year for a K-2nd Grade microschool and $8,100 - $28,000 per year for a 3rd-8th Grade microschool. Keep in mind that this is based on a nine-month schedule with about 20 microschool hours a week.

How many hours do Guides work each week? 16 hours per week for K-2nd Grade and 20 hours per week for 3rd-8th Grade, plus additional hours required for SPED services, meetings, and preparation.

How many students can enroll in my microschool? Each microschool needs to have a minimum of three students enrolled from at least two families to begin. Each microschool can have a maximum of 10 students enrolled.‍

Will I get help from Prenda to find students? Yes! Oftentimes, when new Guides share with their network that they are opening a microschool, they have no trouble filling the 5-10 spaces for students. If you need help, we have a team of people that can connect you with interested parents in your area. ‍

Is there a deadline for enrolling students in Arizona? No, enrollment will remain open throughout the year. You can enroll students at any time, with a limit of 10 students per microschool. Pay will be prorated for any student who enrolls after September 30th.

Freedom Prep Academy

For more information, visit https://freedomk12.org/about

Funding type and eligibility

• Tuition-free enrollment is available for any student in 7th or 8th grade residing in Arizona

• Students can participate in a microschool or a familyschool.
  

Special education services

• Special education services are facilitated through Freedom Prep. 
  

Grades and report cards

• Grades will be assigned by Prenda and sent out by Freedom Prep. 
  

Assessments

• Students are required to participate in beginning, middle, and end of year benchmark assessments.
• Students are required to participate in end of the year state testing through Arizona’s Academic Standards Assessment (AASA).
  

Attendance

• Students must adhere to the Prenda Attendance Policy, which includes attendance policies and state laws our partner schools require.
  

Special to this partner

• Students have access to a full high school curriculum including 16 college-level AP courses.
• Students have Adobe Creative Cloud licensing including Photoshop, Dreamweaver, InDesign, Acrobat, and Premier Pro.

Sequoia Choice Arizona Distance Learning

For more information, visit https://www.sequoiachoice.org

Funding type and eligibility

• Tuition-free enrollment is available for any student Kindergarten through 8th grade residing in AZ through enrollment with our charter school partner, Sequoia Choice Arizona Distance Learning. 
• Students can participate in a Microschool or a Familyschool.
  

Special education services

• Special education services are provided by Sequoia Choice.
  

Grades and report cards

• Grades will be assigned by Prenda and sent out by Sequoia Choice.
  

Assessments

• All students are required to participate in beginning, middle, and end of year benchmark assessments.
• 3rd through 8th grade students are required to participate in end of the year state testing through Arizona’s Academic Standards Assessment (AASA).
• Kindergarten through 3rd grade students are required to participate in beginning, middle, and end of year literacy and dyslexia screenings via DIBELS. 
  

Attendance

• Students must adhere to the Prenda Attendance Policy, which includes attendance policies and state laws our partner schools require.
  

Special to this partner

• Students enrolled in Sequoia have access to additional educational support, including a seasoned team of interventionists and special education providers. 
  

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ESA (Empowerment Scholarship Account)

For more information, visit https://www.azed.gov/esa/frequently-asked-questions

Funding type and eligibility

• Invoices are sent by Prenda quarterly. 
• Enrollment is available for any student Kindergarten through 8th grade residing in AZ who has a current, signed ESA contract. 
• ESA students are not enrolled through one of our partner schools, and Prenda is a program/education provider and not a school. 
• Students can participate in a Microschool or a Familyschool.
  

Special education services

• No special education services are provided to ESA-enrolled students through Prenda or our partner schools. If your student requires services, you must arrange them independently. 
  

Grades and report cards

• No educational records (report cards, transcripts, etc) are kept for ESA-enrolled students by Prenda.
  

Assessments

• Students are encouraged to participate in beginning, middle, and end of year benchmark assessments.
• Students are not required to participate in any state mandated assessments.
  

Attendance

• Students must adhere to the Prenda Attendance Policy.

Our partners are Sequoia Choice and Freedom Prep Academy. We’re also an approved Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) vendor.

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