Frequently Asked Questions

Allcrest selects and trains instructors carefully. All instructors meet the Department of Education’s highly qualified requirements, meaning they:

• Hold a bachelor’s degree
• Hold full state certification or licensure
• Have proven mastery of every subject they teach

We place a high value on teacher interaction:

• Frequent instructor-initiated contact: Teachers reach out to check on progress, offer support, and give feedback.
• Individualized feedback: Delivered through the learning platform as students complete assignments.
• Real-time interaction: Synchronous sessions like webinars or video chats cover content and facilitate discussion.
• One-on-one support: Available via phone, video chat, email, or text chat.
• Daily connections: Between asynchronous feedback and live sessions, students connect with their instructors daily.

Both offer alternatives to traditional schools, but there are key distinctions:

• Curriculum and instruction: In homeschooling, parents handle curriculum, planning, and teaching. At Allcrest, we provide a structured, accredited curriculum and certified teachers who deliver instruction, feedback, and support.
• Accreditation and recognition: Allcrest is accredited, which matters for college applications and future pursuits. Homeschooling may not carry the same recognized accreditation.
• Support and resources: Students get access to teachers, counselors, and technical support. Homeschooling parents provide this themselves.
• Flexibility within structure: We offer pacing flexibility alongside deadlines and expectations that build time-management skills.
• Social interaction: Allcrest offers peer interaction through online forums, virtual clubs, and activities.

Students in grades K–3 have a couple of required one-on-one synchronous check-ins during their Math and Language Arts courses, so teachers can assess progress on core building blocks like phonics and counting. Teachers work with families to find times that fit. All other grade levels can log in whenever works best and move through pre-recorded lessons and assignments. Each course has an optional pacing guide, and students at any grade can schedule one-on-one teacher time as needed.

A few courses require additional materials such as a novel or art supplies. Required materials are listed in the course descriptions.

A semester-long course can be completed in as few as 6 weeks. The maximum allowable time is 20 weeks.

Allcrest delivers a comprehensive elementary education through an engaging online platform covering math, language arts, science, and social studies. The curriculum is interactive, using videos and games to capture younger learners’ attention. Students learn at their own pace within a structured framework, with highly qualified teachers providing guidance and feedback. A key element is the partnership between students, parents, and teachers, where parental involvement helps students stay organized and navigate the online environment.

• Elementary (K–5): More hands-on, helping your child log in, complete assignments, and communicate with teachers. Roughly 1–2 hours per day, or more, depending on your child.
• Middle school (6–8): More of a monitoring and support role. Around 30 minutes to an hour per day.
• High school (9–12): The least direct involvement, mostly encouragement, a good learning environment, and communicating with teachers as needed. Around 15–30 minutes per day or a few times a week.

It varies by grade level, course load, and individual pace. General guidelines:

• Elementary (K–5): Language Arts 60–75 minutes, Math 45–60 minutes, Social Studies 30–45 minutes, Science 30–45 minutes, and Art or Music 30–45 minutes a few times a week, for roughly 2.5 to 4 hours total per day.
• Middle and high school (6–12): Semester courses run over 14–20 weeks at at least 5 hours per week per course, about 1 hour per day per course. A student taking 5 courses could expect around 5 hours per day.

Allcrest offers year-round enrollment, so you can generally begin whenever you’re ready:

• Flexible start dates: Enroll and begin any time of year.
• Course durations: Semester courses are recommended over 14–20 weeks at 5+ hours per week; condensed summer courses run 6 weeks at about 11.5 hours per week.
• Access duration: Generally up to 20 weeks from your enrollment date.

AP courses may have specific start and end dates aligned with the College Board testing schedule.

We pride ourselves on offering an exceptional education at an accessible price:

• Competitive tuition: Rates are often significantly lower than many established online private schools.
• Flexible payment options: Payment plans and options like paying by semester or course help families manage costs.
• Value-driven education: We maintain a robust curriculum, qualified teachers, and support services.

Compared to traditional private schools, which can run $10,000 to $30,000 or more annually, Allcrest is a far more budget-friendly alternative, and comparable to other online private schools often at a more accessible price.

No, students can enroll in semester-long flexible courses at any time of the year. All courses except Advanced Placement (AP) can be taken as semester-long flexible courses. Visit our course calendar page to learn more.

No, it’s generally not too late. We offer year-round enrollment for most courses, so students can begin at almost any time.

1. Explore Allcrest: Contact our admissions team to learn about our programs and approach.
2. Gather required documents: Typically academic records (transcripts or report cards), proof of age, and possibly others depending on your situation. Admissions can provide a detailed list.
3. Complete the application: Fill out the Allcrest application form with accurate, complete information.
4. Withdraw from current school (if applicable): Formally withdraw per your current school’s procedures.
5. Confirm enrollment and begin learning: Once accepted, you’ll receive confirmation and instructions for accessing the platform, starting coursework, and connecting with teachers and support staff.

• Transferring credits to Allcrest (full-time students): Full-time students work with administration to determine the best course of study, including an evaluation of previous coursework. Provide official transcripts, and understand that not all credits may transfer directly, since Allcrest assesses curriculum and grading standards to determine equivalency.
• Transferring credits from Allcrest (part-time students): If taking courses to transfer back to a home school, contact the home school before enrolling. Each district sets its own policies on outside credits, so getting pre-approval ensures the credits will be recognized.