In support of parents and students who wish to undertake a home study education, Willow Bend Academy offers middle school and high school programs of support which lends both credibility and accountability to this endeavor.  Instruction may be presented in print or electronic media formats.

Accredited Diploma Programs

While some home study and distance education high school programs list themselves as “fully accredited”, or are accredited in another state, credits from such high schools may not be transferrable to Texas public schools. Schools that hold accreditation from members of the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission (TEPSAC) are recognized by the Texas Education Agency and credits are transferrable to Texas public schools.  Other agencies are NOT recognized and therefore, credits may not transfer.

Willow Bend Academy programs are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, a recognized member of TEPSAC. Credits are transferrable to Texas public schools and are recognized for college admission.

Tutorial Assistance

The Home Study program at Willow Bend Academy offers students the identical curriculum as the On Campus program without daily teacher assistance.  Students may come to campus and meet face-to-face with a teacher for up to four hours each month at no additional charge.  Tutorial assistance beyond four hours may incur an hourly charge.

Tutorial assistance for students enrolled exclusively in the Online service is accomplished via email capabilities built into the curriculum.  Teachers will answer students’ inquiries on regular school days, generally in afternoon hours. 

Diagnostic Placement

As with the on campus program, a student’s career at Willow Bend Academy begins with an assessment of current knowledge and skills.  Having to be locked into a “generic” curriculum with his/her classmates is highly demotivating for both the gifted student and the student who must cope daily with learning differences.

Diagnostic placement is simply assigning a student curricular material at the correct level so that it is challenging, yet understandable.  Three levels of challenge are offered with three diploma programs: Honors, College Preparatory and General Studies.  Within these three plans, the student’s program of study is individually tailored according to the student’s goals, skills and abilities.

Mastery Learning

Students not only work from an individualized starting point, they master each concept before moving on to the next step.  Their rate of progress is set by their own mastery of the subject.

Accountability

In order to maintain accountability, all exams are either administered by the faculty of Willow Bend Academy or by a proctor approved by Willow Bend Academy.  All exams are graded by the faculty of Willow Bend Academy and all academic records are maintained at Willow Bend Academy.

Students who live within a 25 mile radius of a campus of Willow Bend Academy are  required to physically come to the campus to complete all exams.  Students who live more than 25 miles from a Willow Bend Academy campus may have exams administered by an approved proctor.

Concurrent College Enrollment (Dual Credit)

During their junior and senior years, students may attend  approved classes at a local college for both college and high school credit.

Click the icon to download 2011-2012 Home Study Handbook

Click icon to download registration form for 2012-2013