FAQ

1) Are there makeup classes?

Due to scheduling constraints, makeup classes cannot be offered.

2) What is the cancellation policy?

The cancellation policy is as follows: Cancellations more than three weeks before the start of the course will receive a full refund. Cancellations between three and two weeks before the start of the course will receive a 75% refund. Cancellations between two and one week before the start of the course will receive a 50% refund. Cancellations less than one week before the start of the course will receive a 25% refund, and cancellations during the course will not be refunded.

3) Will there be homework?

All work will be done in class. However, if a student feels inspired and wants to fine-tune a presentation, story, or essay at home, she or he will be encouraged to do so.

4) Can my child take the same course more than once?

Absolutely. While some of the core concepts will be repeated, the writing prompts will be different each trimester, and writing is like any exercise. The more you do it and think about it, the better you get at it.

5) How do the summer courses differ from the school-year courses?

The school-year courses cover different material each trimester. The summer courses will cover the highlights of the school-year courses. Another difference between the summer school courses and the school-year courses is that during the school year, students will have the opportunity to discuss their current schoolwork with the instructor during the lessons.

6) What is the overall philosophy of the program?

The overall philosophy of the program is summed up in the program's motto: "Learning for life." Our objective is to teach the writing and public speaking strategies that have served us well as students, teachers, and professional writers. The concepts covered will prepare the students for school and beyond and hopefully enrich their lives as much as they have enriched ours.

7) Do the courses align with the Common Core standards?

While the courses were not designed with the Common Core in mind – they were created so that students could learn writing skills that will benefit them throughout their lives - the courses do indeed cover and expand upon the Common Core standards. The three strands of writing covered by the Common Core are argumentative writing (essay), explanatory writing (research and reports), and narratives, three topics covered by the course offerings.

8) Can we make suggestions for new courses?

Yes, absolutely!