How to Homeschool Full-Time with OTA!

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A Wide Variety of Interdisciplinary Courses

One mom, Jane*, stumbled across OTA during her daughter’s first year homeschooling.  She immediately loved the grade ranges, which allowed her precocious daughter the ability to take classes that interested her in various subjects.  Additionally, Jane loved how most classes were interdisciplinary allowing her daughter to take in multiple subjects within one class. For Jane and her daughter, Susan*, they choose a variety of 10-week classes throughout the year as well as a year-long writing class.

Online Virtual Classes Providing Flexibility

Another family’s sons are competitive athletes.  For them, OTA allowed their children the opportunity to travel for various tournaments across the United States.  Lucy* loved the flexibility that OTA provided by holding classes live while also recording them in case students missed classes.  This allowed her sons, Mark* and Tony*, the flexibility in both of their sports. Both boys sometimes, “car schooled” via Wi-Fi tuning into classes on the go!  Lucy opted to keep the boys in the same classes although they are 12 months apart as well as choosing year long classes. This provided the consistency that the family needed to be able to “get everything done.”

Opportunities for Project-Based Learning

Finally, a look at a third family with two elementary age students who made the decision to homeschool full time using OTA; however, they only used OTA with her older daughter.  This mother, Mary*, a former elementary school teacher, quickly realized that project-based learning was the perfect match for her daughter. Based in the Midwest, this family loved that OTA offered live online classes beginning at 8 AM CST that ran through 3:30 PM CST.  This schedule allowed her daughter to participate in many options that she loved. Additionally, she has enrolled her younger child in her first OTA classes next year.

Some Quotes From Our OTA Parents

Other parents, when asked, mentioned reasons why they loved OTA.

“Prior to using OTA, we used a local co-op; however, we felt we were stifled by their schedule and quickly stopped.  Although we try to attend as many OTA classes live, we know that if something fabulous comes up – we can watch the recorded class later in the day.  This truly allows us to be 100% flexible.”

~J.D., OTA Parent

“We switched to OTA from Outschool, Udemy and Coursera. We were not satisfied for various reasons including a lack of personal connection, no live teacher or lack of homework and feedback.  I wanted something that provided a more structured, solid experience – where I knew they were learning.”

~K.K., OTA Parent

“One of the most impressive aspects of OTA is that the teachers truly care.   They will reach out to us, as parents, if they are concerned with our children, to pass on good news or to share a moment from class that they know will make our day.  Open Tent is small and personal. This is our primary reason for staying. OTA teachers and administration knows our children and cares.” ~S.M.

~S.M., OTA Parent

“Open Tent Academy allows her kids to take responsibility for their education, connects them with high-quality teachers, and provides a space for learning with other kids.”

~Jennifer*

In the coming academic year, 2019 – 2020, Open Tent Academy is offering 100+ classes in 5-week, 10-week, 20-week and 30-week sessions for grades 1 – 12.   Classes are interdisciplinary, project-based and fun! Come check out our offerings! Try one class… then, stay for the rest of the year.

*Parent & Student names changed, unless stated otherwise, for privacy reasons.

Eva Goldstein-Meola is not only co-founder of Open Tent Academy, but an instructor as well as a former homeschooling mother. She has lived in New Jersey, Florida, Western Massachusetts, Northern Virginia and now resides just outside of Jerusalem. Eva holds a Master’s Degree as a Consulting Teacher of Reading and Writing, IEW certification and a Bachelor’s Degree as an Elementary Teacher. She has also been involved in education since 1986 as a Private Tutor, Teacher, Reading Specialist, Homeschooling Mother, Homeschooling Teacher and Business Owner of an Online Education Consortium.

Eva is offering the following courses for the 2019-2020 year: