The last day you can submit an enrollment form for the school year is September 9th. All students in Kansas will need to start school by September 13th. If you've missed the deadline for this school year please fill out a request for information form to be notified when enrollment open for the following school year.

‍

How is Prenda tuition-free? Tuition-free microschools in Kansas are made available through a charter school partnership with Ad Astra Virtual Academy.

2022-2023 Student Enrollment

Follow the simple steps below to enroll your child(ren) via Prenda's enrollment portal.

‍

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 for returning students. 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. Funding Source: Ad Astra Virtual Academy 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.

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? Microschools will open for learning in the fall between August 16, 2022 and September 13, 2022. Each Prenda Guide sets their own first day of school, so this is a great question to ask as you are connecting with Guides. 

‍

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. 

‍

What documents will I need for enrollment? You don’t need any documents to create an account in the enrollment portal, but you will need the paperwork below when it’s time to complete your enrollment forms to register with Prenda and our partner. These are the documents you’ll want to have handy: 

1. Prenda enrollment form 
2. Child’s proof of age, such as a state-issued birth certificate or passport
3. Proof of residence, such as a utility bill, mortgage or lease agreement
4. Immunization records, medical exemption or religious beliefs exemption
5. Health Assessment: only required if your child is 8 or younger, and entering the Kansas public school system for the first time
6. IEP or 504 plan, if applicable 
7. 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. 

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 and meet for five hours each day. Schedules are set by each Guide and can vary, but generally follow local district calendars. Tip: 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. 

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. 

‍

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. ‍

‍

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. 

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?

Special education services are not provided by Prenda, however, they are offered virtually by our partner, Ad Astra Virtual Academy. 

‍

‍What additional support are Guides responsible for providing? When a student has an IEP or 504 and is enrolled through a 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.

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. 

‍

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 and CPR & First Aid certifications.
   

Guides are paid per student per year, which amounts to approximately $7,500 - $25,000 per year. Keep in mind that this is based on a ten-month schedule with about 20 microschool hours a week and 3-10 students enrolled.

‍

How many hours do Guides work each week?

‍About 20 hours per week for K-8th Grades, 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, and 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 spaces with 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 Kansas?

‍Yes, enrollment is only open through August 31, 2022, and all microschools must start no later than September 13, 2022.