High school students enrolled in a private school may earn some of their credits independent of a classroom. With the permission of their school, students complete coursework at home. Common reasons for enrolling in the Independent Study Program include:

• Improve low or incomplete grades
• Accelerate high school schedule
• Schedule conflict
• Extended illness

Parent and students report to an NCCA academic advisor at the end of each semester for evaluations. An official transcript is issued upon satisfactory completion of the coursework.

 

Parent Involvement

The Independent Study Program requires parent involvement. A Parent must be available to monitor the coursework, administer tests and provide records of daily work.

 

Administering Tests at Home

Tests are administered and graded by a parent. Each test is a closed-book test which means it is generally completed without the assistance of any books, notes, or outside help. Testing Witness forms provided by the academic advisor are to be signed by the parent and attached to each test.

 

Academic Advisor

The academic advisor will schedule an initial consultation to answer questions, direct the purchase of textbooks and assign coursework. Parents schedule subsequent meetings as the student completes each semester of the course material. At these meetings, the academic advisor will check the student's work, assign a semester grade and provide any additional guidance that is needed. When the work is satisfactorily completed, the academic advisor will assign a final grade and authorize the release of a transcript.

 

Completion Guidelines

A maximum of one year from the date of enrollment is allowed to complete one unit of coursework (six months for one-half unit). If the work is not completed within that time period, a three month extension may be granted for an additional fee. The suggested NCCA deadlines for completion of coursework listed below are based on the deadline given by the school.

 

School Deadline                               NCCA Deadline

Beginning of school year                     September 1st 

End of first semester                          January 10th

End of second semester                      May 30th

Courses Available Include:

Health                                 Earth Science

Physical Ed.                         Geography

US History                          World History

Pre Algebra                         Algebra I

Algebra II                            Career Ed.

Personal Finance                  Chemistry

Biology                               Physics

Government                        Economics

 

Other courses are available upon advisor's approval.

 

How to Apply

1. Verify with your school that units earned through the Independent Study Program will be accepted for credit.
2. Download the application
3. Mail the following to Basic Skills:
   
           Completed Independent Study Application
   
           $50.00 non-refundable application fee
4. Once the above items have been received, the academic advisor will schedule an initial consultation with a parent and the student
5. Payment is due in full at the initial consultation

 

Independent Study Fees

• Application Fee (non-refundable)      $50.00
• One Semester (1/2 unit)                  $50.00
• Two Semesters (1 unit)                   $100.00

The purchase of course materials is the responsibility of the parents.