Is the Barn School a private school?

No. The Barn School is not a private or state-registered school. It is a homeschool resource and enrichment program designed to support families who are legally homeschooling their children.

Who is legally responsible for my child’s education?

You are. Under New York State Education Department regulations, parents or guardians are fully responsible for filing all required homeschooling paperwork and ensuring compliance with state requirements.

Will you file homeschooling paperwork for me?

No. Families are responsible for submitting all required documents to their school district. However, I will guide you through the process and help you understand what is required, and the quarterly reports I provide on your child’s progress can be used to create your own state reports.

What exactly do you provide?

The Barn School provides:

• Individualized education plans for each student

• Hands-on, nature and farm-based learning experiences

• Small group and individualized instruction

• Quarterly narrative evaluations to support state reporting

How is this different from homeschooling on my own?

You remain the primary educator, but you gain:

• Professional curriculum design aligned with state standards

• Structured, consistent learning time outside the home

• Social learning with peers

• Guidance from a certified educator experienced in both classroom teaching, outdoor education, and homeschooling

Will my child be meeting New York State standards?

Yes. All learning plans are designed with the New York State Education Department Next Generation Learning Standards in mind, while still allowing flexibility for individualized, interest-driven learning.

How do you track progress?

I provide quarterly narrative reports that describe your child’s growth, strengths, and areas of focus. These reports also include general estimates of time spent in required subject areas to help you complete your state reporting.

Do you create an IHIP for my child?

I create an individualized learning plan for your child, which can support and inform your IHIP. However, the official IHIP must be created and submitted by the parent.

Is this program appropriate for children with different learning needs?

Yes. My background includes working with students across a wide range of abilities, including those with developmental, emotional, and behavioral challenges. Each plan is tailored to the individual child.

What age groups do you serve?

The Barn School primarily focuses on elementary-aged students, with flexibility depending on the needs of families and the structure of the program.

What does a typical day look like?

Days are structured but flexible, blending:

• Outdoor and farm-based learning

• Academic skill-building and reading

• Hands-on projects

• Collaborative problem-solving

• Independent exploration

Is this program a good fit for every family?

No—and that’s intentional. This program is best suited for families who:

• Want an active role in their child’s education

• Value hands-on, experiential learning

• Are comfortable fulfilling homeschooling requirements

What is the schedule for the program?

• The program follows the same general academic calendar year as the local public schools, with the same holiday breaks, same first and last days of school, same vacation dates, etc…

• School will start at 9 am and end at 3:30 pm Monday through Thursday

• Fridays will be reserved for family/independent study/free time and also for pre-scheduled parent-teacher meetings

Is there any sort of after school program or early drop-off for busy, working parents?

This is something that can be discussed when you schedule your in-person visit and/or send in your question(s) via our contact form, email, or phone. We are happy to discuss options with each family and work to make the program as accessible as possible for everyone.

Is there any transportation to or from school?

• Unfortunately, at this time, the program providing transportation to and from school is not possible. However, we hope to foster a learning community that supports one another and helps each other out by carpooling and ridesharing. There will be opportunities to meet the other families in the program, exchange contact info, and discuss these possibilities.

• When we do field trips, we will either recruit parents to help transport kids to the locations in multiple cars, or we will charter a small bus or large van and share the cost across the group

Are there any hidden fees or costs to the program aside from the annual tuition, and what is included in the tuition?

• There are no hidden fees, but there may be times the students need to provide some school supplies for their projects, like extra paint, paper, or poster board.

• Field trips may require small amounts of extra money to cover entry fees or charter bus rentals.

• Any added expenses will be discussed with parents before any decisions are made.

• Tuition covers academic instruction and a daily snack and lunch.

What is the annual tuition?

The program is 4 days per week, 10 months per year, and costs $12,000 annually. Daily snack and lunch are included.

If you have additional questions, I’m always happy to talk through whether this is the right fit for your family.