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‍How is Prenda tuition-free? Tuition-free microschools in Louisiana are made available through our partnership with Blended & Online Learning Solutions (BOSS). 

How do I enroll my child? Your first step will be to get in touch with us by setting up a call. We’ll let you know which microschools have openings near you and answer any questions you may have. Click on Find a microschool at the bottom of this page to get started. 

Get started

What documents will I need for enrollment? When you enroll your child in Prenda, they will also be enrolled as a student of record with one of our school partners. The following documents will need to be submitted (to Prenda and/or the partner school) and processed before your child can begin attending school. 

Charter school partner documents

• Prenda enrollment form 
• School partner online enrollment form
• Child’s proof of age, such as a state-issued birth certificate or passport
• Proof of residence, such as a utility bill, mortgage or lease agreement
• Immunization records, medical exemption or religious beliefs exemption
• Parent’s driver’s license or state issued ID
• Child’s social security card, student state ID, or tax return document
• IEP or 504 plan, if applicable 
• Custody documentation, if applicable
  

K-8 microschools observe a five-day school week and offer at least 177  in-microschool days to allow for a maximum of 10 days of absences. It’s important to note that schedules are set by each Guide and can vary slightly. 

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. 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. 

For more information on state assessments in Louisiana, visit https://www.louisianabelieves.com/measuringresults. 

Prenda students also take i-Ready assessments throughout the year to monitor their academic development throughout the year. See Student progress for more information on iReady. 

The application process: 

1. After reading through the Guide requirements, you’re ready to submit your application. You’ll set up a virtual interview then too. 
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 begin what we call the First 20 Days, in which you get step-by-step support during your first 20 days 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, including fingerprint clearance. 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 2-4 weeks for new Guides to receive their fingerprint clearance cards. 

Guides are paid per student per year, which amounts to approximately $15,000 - $30,000 per year. 

How many hours do Guides work each week? About 25 hours per week, plus additional hours required for SPED services, meetings, and preparation.

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 Louisiana? Yes, there are enrollment deadlines for the fall and spring semesters. See the Enrollment tab for more details. 

All Guides undergo microschool site inspections and background checks, submit character references, obtain fingerprint clearance cards, and complete onboarding with Prenda to set them up for success. 

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 microschools 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. 

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.