Whether you’re interested in enrolling your child in a learning pod (microschool), applying to become a Guide, or discovering more about what we do, welcome!
Start enrollmentPrenda is available to students as a tuition-free option thanks to our partnership with the New Hampshire Department of Education in the Recovering Bright Futures program. We’re also an approved Education Freedom Account (EFA) vendor.
In New Hampshire, microschools are called learning pods. They are made up of 5-10 students, in grades spanning from K-8. Explore the tabs below to learn more about Prenda in your state.
We’ve pulled together all the info you will need regarding the enrollment process, required documents, and more.
How is Prenda tuition-free? Tuition-free learning pods in New Hampshire are made available through our partnership with the New Hampshire Department of Education in the Recovering Bright Futures program. Prenda is also an approved NH Education Freedom Account (EFA) vendor for families who qualify.
Enrollment for the 22-23 school year in New Hampshire is open from March 8th 2022-May 1st 2023. Your child can enroll at any time between August 1st, 2022 and May 1st, 2023. Due to the fact that learning pods fill up quickly, we recommend that parents start the enrollment process as soon as possible.
How do I enroll my child? Simply create an account in Prenda’s enrollment portal and start the four-step enrollment process for each child. We will 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.
Note: If the school year that you are enrolling for has not started yet, you may not receive a final confirmation until closer to the start of the school year.
1. Confirm that your child is new to Prenda
2. Select your program and funding source
3. Choose your learning pod Guide. You can come back to this later if you don’t have a Guide picked out yet, but your student’s enrollment cannot be finalized without it. Many new Guides will start to become available in May and throughout the summer.
4. Submit the online enrollment form. Be sure to have all of your student’s documents ready!
Enrollment for returning students for the 22-23 school year in New Hampshire is open from May 2022 to June 30th, 2022. Due to the fact that learning pods fill up quickly, we recommend that parents start the enrollment process as soon as possible.
Any students who have not completed returning student enrollment by June 30th, 2022 will be withdrawn from the Prenda program. A new student enrollment form can be submitted anytime after that if you decide to enroll in Prenda again.
How do I enroll my child to continue attending Prenda? Simply create an account in Prenda’s enrollment portal and start the four-step enrollment process for each child. We will 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.
Note: If the school year that you are enrolling for has not started yet, you may not receive a final confirmation until closer to the start of the school year.
1. Confirm that your child is currently enrolled with Prenda
2. Select your program and funding source (link to tab)
3. Choose your learning pod Guide
You can come back to this later if you don’t have a Guide picked out yet, but your student’s enrollment cannot be finalized without it. Many new Guides will start to become available in April and throughout the summer.
4. Submit the online enrollment form
You may need to have some/all of your student’s documents available depending on what may be changing from last school year to 22-23. Some examples:
When can I select a learning pod? You can start exploring the microschool/learning pod 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.
Learning pods for the 2022-2023 school year will begin showing up on the map in May 2022 and in the following summer months as new learning pods open. Before this time, you can get a headstart on your student’s enrollment, but will need to come back to finish the enrollment process.
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/learning pod map. Learning pods will open for learning anytime after August 1, 2022.
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? Enrollment looks a little different depending on the type of learning pod your child joins. In district learning pods, students register with Prenda and remain enrolled in their public school district. With community learning pods, students are considered to be home educated so a letter of intent to homeschool will need to be submitted by their parents.
District learning pod documents: If you would like to enroll your child in a district learning pod, you will need to provide Prenda with the following documents. Note that district learning pod students remain enrolled in their local school district as well.
Community learning pod documents: If you are enrolling your child in a community learning pod you will need to submit a letter of intent to home educate to your local district, the department of education, or a private school in order to withdraw your child from their current school district. You will also be asked to provide Prenda with the following documents.
Note: Parents of kindergarten students should not submit the notice of intent to home educate unless they turn six years old prior to September 30 of the current year.
EFA documents
What is the cut-off date for Kindergarten? Kindergarten students must turn five before September 30 of the current school year in order to be enrolled in Prenda. Kindergarten is not a state requirement, but towns that offer it provide a tuition-free, full-day kindergarten program.
The number of hours per day and number of days of learning depend on the schedule the Guide sets and the type of learning pod in which a child is enrolled.
District learning pod schedules
Many of these learning pods will be held on a campus and follow the district school calendar, so they typically will meet for five days a week. There are slightly different hour requirements, depending on grade level as well. District learning pods follow the calendar and hours requirements of their partner school district.
Community learning pod schedules
Typically, community learning pods 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. Since these students are technically home educated, and not enrolled with the district, they do not have to adhere to the hour and day requirements that district learning pod students do. Community learning pod Guides must provide an annual minimum of 720 hours for Grades K-8.
Tip for parents: When you visit learning pods, 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.
Testing looks a little different depending on whether a student is enrolled in a district or community learning pod. Be sure to read through the Student progress tab on this page as well to get a better idea of how Prenda approaches testing/grades and monitors growth.
Do community learning pod students participate in statewide assessments? While community learning pod students are considered home educated learners, it is still expected and encouraged that they take the New Hampshire state assessments, as part of their participation in the Recovering Bright Futures program.
Do district learning pod students participate in statewide assessments? Yes, district learning pod students are required to participate in statewide assessments. The New Hampshire Statewide Assessment System (NHSAS) measures students’ progress at the end of the school year in English language arts, math, and science. These assessments are developed collaboratively by the New Hampshire Department of Education, American Institutes for Research (the assessment contractor) and New Hampshire educators. Additional state testing details can be found here.
Does Prenda give any additional assessments? Yes, students participate in i-Ready, an assessment 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. See Student progress for more information about iReady.
We’ve always prioritized self-paced mastery, problem-solving abilities, mindset, and overall student experience over a letter grade, but we haven’t thrown out the book either.
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. Conversely, 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.
New Hampshire is unique! There are actually two types of learning pods. We compare and contrast below so you can choose what is a better fit for your family.
What is a district learning pod? District learning pods are made up of 5-10 students, led by a Prenda Guide. Students will be enrolled in their school district and Prenda. Learning will take place in school buildings when possible. Alternative locations will be used if there is no space in the traditional school facility, and may include a local non-profit like the Boys and Girls Club, a library, a child care facility, or other suitable locations.
Learning programs in district learning pods are aligned with New Hampshire Academic Standards and adapted to individual students. District learning pod students will also have access to many student services, such as meals and special education.
What is a community learning pod? In places where a district learning pod is not available or when parents simply choose to participate in a community learning pod instead, the NHDOE will cover the cost so it is tuition-free. Community learning pods are made up of 5-10 students, led by a Prenda Guide. Parents who choose to have their child participate in a community learning pod will be required to submit a letter of intent to home educate. Community learning pods can take place at a Guide’s home or other location, such as a library, local business, or other suitable space.
Learning programs in community learning pods are aligned with New Hampshire Academic Standards and adapted to individual students. As home educated students, special services for children enrolled in community learning pods will not be provided by the district.
Can I open a district or community learning pod? Yes, you or someone you know can apply to become a Guide and open a community learning pod. Guides go through a comprehensive onboarding process which provides an overview of Prenda, the curriculum, learning model, and more to set them up for success! Guiding is a paid, part-time, and contract-based position with approximately 20-25 hours of work per week.
You can learn more about becoming a Guide by going to www.prenda.com/become-a-guide. After you or someone you know submits an application, Prenda will be in touch with next steps.
Every student is unique, and so is their learning experience at Prenda. Whether a student is behind in one or more areas, working above grade level, or right on track, Prenda and its Guides are there to empower them with the tools and support they need to succeed.
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 a district learning pod have access to special education services that will be provided by the district. These include any services that public schools are required to provide students. Community learning pod students are not enrolled in the district, therefore special services that a student may require will need to be privately funded by the parent.
What additional support are Guides responsible for providing? When a student has an IEP or 504 and is enrolled in a district learning pod, the Guide will attend IEP/504 meetings, take direction from specialists the child may be seeing outside of learning pod 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 EFA students provided with special education services? Prenda does not provide special education services, but our partners often do. Since EFA students are not enrolled in the school district, they do not receive those services. Many parents utilize their EFA funding to pay for such services. You can learn more about the EFA program in Arizona and apply by going to https://nh.scholarshipfund.org/.
We dive into the specific requirements necessary for opening up your microschools. If you have any questions on any of this, please reach out to us by filling out the form below, and we will help explain it all to you.
Each microschool is required to have a minimum of three (3) students from at least two (2) families to begin school. A Guide’s own children or dependents qualify as one family in the microschool setting. Qualifying students must be officially enrolled with Prenda as described in Prenda’s Student Enrollment Policy, whether the funding is through a charter partner or an alternate source, and it is your responsibility to recruit enough students to fill the microschool. Once three (3) students are officially enrolled in the microschool, you can start operating the microschool.
Each microschool can have a maximum of ten (10) students enrolled.
Guides are completely autonomous in how they go about building their community and recruiting for their microschool, though they must keep the branding of their microschool within the boundaries established by Prenda and may only use the Prenda name and logo as authorized by Prenda. It is the Guide’s responsibility to maintain an accurate Guide profile.
If a student withdraws from your microschool leaving the microschool with either fewer than three students or less than two families, you have a two (2) month grace period from the date of the last student’s withdrawal to enroll another student to get back up to the three (3) student/two (2) family minimum. If the student/family minimum has not been met after two months, you will either have to close your school or switch to Prenda Family.
Maybe you’re a parent or former educator looking to get involved with Prenda. Maybe you just came across our website or heard about us from a friend, and are looking for an opportunity to work with kids. Here’s what you need to know about applying to become a Guide in New Hampshire:
The application process:
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, including fingerprint clearance for district learning pod applicants. On average, it takes someone about two to three weeks to become a Guide.
What is the state fingerprinting process, and how long does it take? It generally takes about two weeks for new Guides to receive their fingerprint clearance cards. This step only applies to district learning pod Guides.
What is the difference between a district learning pod and a community learning pod Guide? District learning pod Guides will be guiding in district schools or locations coordinated by the district. Community learning pod Guides will be responsible for finding their own students and typically Guide in their homes or another suitable location.
Can I apply to become a district or community learning pod Guide? Yes! The application process is generally the same for community and district learning pod Guides. Simply submit your application to get started. When you get to the interview stage of the application process, you will have an opportunity to ask questions and indicate your learning pod preference.
Prenda empowers parents and community members from all over to get involved and make a difference as a Prenda Guide. The requirements listed below will help you get a better idea of whether or not guiding is an opportunity you’d like to pursue.
As a Prenda Guide, you would be considered an independent contractor. Compensation depends on your learning pod type, the number of students in your learning pod, and the length of the school year. We’ve calculated some estimates below to help you get a better idea.
Guides are paid per student per year, which amounts up to $10,200 - $34,000 per year for a learning pod. Keep in mind that this is based on a nine-month schedule with about 20 learning pod hours a week.
How many hours are required for district learning pod Guides? District learning pod Guides in New Hampshire work approximately 20-27.5 hours per week, for a total of 180 days per school year. District learning pods meet five days per week and follow the calendar and hours requirements of their partner school district.
How many hours are required for community learning pod Guides? Community learning pod Guides in New Hampshire typically meet with students four days per week and work 20-25 hours, plus additional hours required for SPED services, meetings, and preparation.
Will I be paid to Guide my own child in a learning pod? If you are a district learning pod Guide and your child is one of your students, you will be compensated for guiding your own child, as well as the other students in your learning pod. While district learning pod students are enrolled in the district, community learning pod students are classified as home educated. If you are a community learning pod Guide, you will be compensated for each child that you guide with the exception of your own child(ren).
How many students can enroll in my learning pod? Each learning pod needs to have at least three students enrolled from two or more families to begin. Each learning pod 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 though, we have a team of people that can connect you with interested parents in your area.
Is there a deadline for enrolling students in New Hampshire? No, enrollment will remain open throughout the year. If space is available, students can join a learning pod at any time during the school year. Pay will be prorated for any student who enrolls after September 30th.
Prenda selects Guides that are passionate about education and dedicated to empowering learners. Additionally, every Guide reports to a certified teacher that oversees each microschool and provides support when needed.
All Guides undergo learning pod site inspections and background checks, submit character references, obtain fingerprint clearance cards*, and complete onboarding with Prenda to set them up for success.
*Although the district coordinates fingerprint clearance for district learning pod Guides, community learning pod Guides are not required to.
During onboarding, Guides get a deep dive into our learning model, curriculum, and core values. They get support at every step of the way from Prenda as they prepare to open their learning pods and enroll students. Throughout the school year, they can reach out to a team of certified teachers to ask questions, navigate challenges, and feel confident that their students are getting what they need to thrive.
In New Hampshire, parents have multiple school partner programs and/or funding options to choose from. Some of these options allow your student to participate in Prenda tuition-free. Please check out some of the other differences below:
For more information, visit https://www.education.nh.gov/who-we-are/commissioner/recovering-bright-futures
Funding type and eligibility
Special education services
Grades and Report cards
Assessments
Attendance
Funding type and eligibility
Special education services
Grades and Report cards
Assessments
Attendance
For more information, visit https://nh.scholarshipfund.org/
Funding type and eligibility
Special education services
Grades and Report cards
Assessments
Attendance
For more information, visit https://www.prenda.com/state-offerings/prenda-platform
Funding type and eligibility
Special education services
Grades and Report cards
Assessments
Attendance
You'll have the option to set up a call with us, find a microschool, or apply to become a Guide.
These offerings are available in your state. Make a selection below to find out more information.
A tuition-free, full-day summer camp your child will love! Small groups of kids will have the opportunity to explore subjects like the arts, technology, engineering, and science.
Create an empowering learning experience for your K-8 child with Prenda Familyschool—a tuition-free home education program.
Unlock your child’s potential with Prenda Platform—an affordable monthly subscription program for parents to educate their K-8 children at home.
This is a great place to start! Our Guides and a team of Prenda employees host in-person and virtual events so that we can get to know each other better and you can explore Prenda by connecting with our community firsthand.
Learn about our unique learning model and our tuition-free, K-8 learning pods
Come to ask questions, connect with families, and learn more about Prenda.
Come to ask questions, connect with families, and learn more about Prenda.
Join us for a 1-hour session to learn more about our unique learning model!
Join us for a 1-hour session to learn more about our unique learning model!
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