Independent Study

Sometimes parents and students need extra support from a credentialed teacher to aid with student instruction. The Independent Study option is especially good for students who are struggling in school, or need a more flexible schedule. To help these families, Horizon Charter Schools (HCS) provides the opportunity for more assistance from the family’s Supervising Teacher (ST).

Although very similar to Home Study, families that choose Independent Study for all or some of their children receive a more hands-on approach. As with Home Study, your ST will help develop a Personalized Learning Plan based on the California Academic Content Standards and the individual child’s abilities, interests, and learning style, but with Independent Study, your ST will meet with you and your child on a more frequent basis, providing additional guidance, oversight and input.

High school students often choose independent study to allow them the freedom to pursue their individual academic and career interests and goals under the guidance of a California credentialed instructor. Independent Study also affords older students the ability to have a more flexible schedule than they would in a traditional classroom setting, giving them the opportunity to enroll in Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses (formerly ROP), take advanced placement or community college classes, or pursue internships or other career opportunities.

Students in Horizon Charter Schools’ Independent Study program enjoy the same benefits as those in the Home Study program including:

Our Counselors help high school students plan their course schedules to best meet their future college or career goals. They also assist students with career exploration; help students access Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses (formerly Regional Occupation Program (ROP)), community college classes, work experience, apprenticeships, and Work Permits; and provide information about colleges and scholarships, and other financial aid. HCS also provides mentors and tutors. For more information, contact our Counseling Department at 916-408-5276, toll-free at 800-338-8003, extension 5276, or email [email protected]

Student funds can be used to participate in academic and elective classes with HCS-approved partner businesses. Courses include: martial arts, visual and performing arts, horseback riding, robotics, driver training, and many more elective courses, as well as core classes and tutoring for academic subjects.

Our extensive list of approved vendors is parent-driven — if your child wants to take a class through a local business that is not on our list, you can request we add them. Our staff will work with the vendor to gain approval whenever possible. Visit our Enrichment and Electives page to learn more about these types of classes and to view our parent-driven list of approved vendors.

Take study trips to area museums, performing arts centers, special events and other educational and exciting venues. What’s more fun that taking a field trip? Taking a field trip with other homeschool families! Throughout the year, our student may be involved with many study trips to locations throughout our six-county region and all of Northern California, both in person and virtually.

Sometimes you just need to get together with other homeschoolers, whether it’s to learn something new or just to meet others with similar interests and goals. To meet this need, we encourage our families to hold meet ups at a variety of locations.