How is Prenda tuition-free? Tuition-free microschools in Colorado are made available through our partnership with Education reEnvisioned BOCES. Prenda is considered a homeschool enrichment program in Colorado, although students are receiving a complete K-8 education experience. ‍

When can I enroll my child? The last day you can submit an enrollment form for the school year is September 15th. All students in Colorado will need to start school by September 22nd. 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.

2022-2023 Student Enrollment

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 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 or Prenda Familyschool. Funding Source: Education reEnvisioned BOCES.

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 1, 2022 and September 22, 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. 

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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? In addition to submitting the documents below, you will need to submit an intent to homeschool form to your district of residence 14 days before the start of the homeschool enrichment program. 

1. Prenda Enrollment Form
2. Child’s proof of age, such as a state-issued birth certificate
3. Proof of residence, such as a utility bill
4. Immunization records, medical exemption form, or non-medical exemption form
5. Custody documentation, if applicable

What is the cut-off date for Kindergarten? Kindergarten students must turn five before August 31 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. Schedules are set by each Guide and can vary, but generally follow local district calendars. Guides provide an annual minimum of 688 in-class hours for Grades K-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? Prenda does not provide special education services for enrolled students in Colorado, however, our Exceptional Student Services team will work with Guides to create a Prenda Support Plan when necessary. 

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. 

Additional testing information can be found on the Colorado Department of Education website.

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 $11,400 - $22,800 for a microschool for about 20 microschool hours a week. Keep in mind that this is based on a nine-month schedule with 5-10 enrolled students.

How many hours do Guides work each week? About 20 hours per week, 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 different families. You can enroll as many as ten students.

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 Colorado? Yes, enrollment is only open through September 15th, and all microschools must start no later than October 1st. 

Education reEnvisioned BOCES

For more information, visit https://www.edreenvisioned.org/domain/18

Funding type and eligibility

• Tuition-free enrollment is available for any student Kindergarten through 8th Grade students residing in CO through enrollment with our school partner, Education reEnvisioned BOCES.
• Students participating in Prenda through the Education reEnvisioned BOCES are considered homeschool students by the Colorado Department of Education. You are required to submit an Intent to Homeschool notice in Colorado.
• Students can participate in a microschool or familyschool.
  

Special education services

• No special education services are provided to homeschool 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 homeschool students by Prenda.
  

Assessments

• Students are required to participate in Prenda’s benchmark assessments at the beginning, middle and end of the year.
• Students are not required to participate in any state mandated assessments.
  

Attendance

• Students must adhere to the Prenda Attendance Policy.