Frequently Asked Questions
What is a PSP?
At Empowered Academics, PSP stands for our Personalized Support Program. It is how we help support homeschooling families through an independent study approach.
In the homeschooling world, PSP can also stand for Private Satellite Program. Enrolling in a PSP is one of the legal ways to homeschool your child in California. Once a student is enrolled in the PSP, the parent becomes their child's homeschool teacher under the umbrella of that school.
What is the reason families enroll with Empowered Academics PSP instead of filing a Private School Affidavit (PSA)?
1) Privacy - you need not file anything with the CDE, nor declare your home as a school.
2) Accountability - all legal record requirements are met.
3) Administrative services - recordkeeping/cumulative file maintenance.
4) Coaching available- you are in control but you are not alone!
What services do you offer? How does it work?
Empowered Academics is an administrative PSP that supports independent homeschooling families. Possible supports include assisting families with exiting their current school, transferring/maintaining your child's cumulative file and legal records, offering curriculum recommendations, and connecting you with vendors or in-person groups in your area.
Once enrolled in our PSP, we send a letter to your child's current school, requesting the transfer of the cumulative file, and then we maintain these school records. The enrolled family submits minimal information to us upon enrollment, and will submit an attendance record and updated course of study/progress report to us each semester. We provide all the forms needed. Families receive homeschool support, and curriculum recommendations (if requested), and the parent remains in full control of their child's education.
Do you require students to have immunizations?
No. Students enrolled in our PSP are not required to have immunizations.
Students homeschooled do not need to be vaccinated. Student immunization records (even if BLANK) must be kept on file (CA Dept. of Health form PM286B), regardless of the presence or absence of any vaccines. If you have immunization records for your child, please submit them. If your child does not have vaccines, you may submit the required blue card with your child's information on it and leave the vaccine portion blank (or write "SB277 Exempt- homeschool"). We will provide this form to you, if needed.
Records must also include a physician's health exam report, or a waiver (required CA Dept. of Health form PM171B-waiver, and optional Oral Health-waiver). We will supply you with the waiver form(s) if you do not have a current health exam report to submit.
How often do we have to submit work samples?
You do not need to submit work samples with Empowered Academics!
We only require submittal of an attendance record and an updated course of study/progress report each semester. The progress report consists of updates/progress on the student's Course Of Study plan. Report cards are not required.
Do you provide learning materials or books?
No. Enrolled families purchase the materials that fit their unique homeschool needs.
For families that seek curriculum guidance and recommendations from experts in education, we offer guidance on effective curriculum and materials that follow research-based and/or multisensory practices.
Families may purchase the recommended materials on their own. Some families use their own curriculum materials, and some families choose to buy our recommended materials directly from the supplier.
Will you teach my child?
No. When you enroll at Empowered Academics, you are your child's homeschool teacher under the umbrella of our administrative PSP. Empowered Academics will be your child's school of record, and we will offer homeschool support through curriculum recommendations (if needed), school record transfers, guidance requests, and cumulative file recordkeeping.
Parents can outsource teaching of any subject they wish. Enrichment classes, microschools, and tutors are great alternatives to teaching all subjects at home. We can guide you in finding these resources in your area, if needed.
Are there any required meetings?
No. Neither the child nor the parent are required to have any meetings in person or virtually. If the parent requests additional support, a coaching meeting can be scheduled at an additional charge.
Am I able use religious materials to teach when enrolled with your PSP?
You are welcome to include your faith/religion in your child's studies, if it fits your lifestyle. We support your choice.
Do you have in-person classes?
No. We can connect you with other organizations that offer in-person meetups and homeschool opportunities in your area, if requested.
Do you have a CDS Code with the California Department of Education?
Yes, for legal recordkeeping purposes. It is 37684526168132.
Why should I choose your PSP vs. filing my own PSA?
1) Privacy - you need not file anything with the CDE, nor declare your home as a private school.
2) Accountability - all required legal record requirements are met.
3) Administrative services - recordkeeping/cumulative file maintenance.
4) Coaching available- you are in control but you are not alone!