Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tech Trep Academy a Public Charter / District School or a Private School?

Tech Trep Academy acts as a bridge between school districts and families who want to educate at home.

Students throughout all of North Dakota are invited to apply and receive FREE resources and support as they learn from home.

How much does the Tech Trep program cost?

An education through Tech Trep Academy is FREE. In addition, parents utilize our points system to have us direct order additional supplemental resources and curriculum. These amazing resources are used to personalize each child’s learning experience.

What does the school calendar and daily schedule look like?

Students follow the East Fairview Elementary School’s yearly calendar. We understand that students are learning at home all day, every day.  Parents decide what they want their daily schedule to look like. Families are required to verify daily instruction for each learning day and to complete 151 days of instruction for the school year. This is done through a check box system in InfoCenter.  

Does my child's schooling need to be done on a computer if we are part of this program?

We believe parents should have the flexibility to choose the best format for their student’s learning. Some families prefer technology-based schooling while others want to do learning using textbooks. Others prefer hands-on activities and real-world learning and many choose a mix of all three. It is our goal to support parents as they choose the ways their student learns best. 

Families in Tech Trep Academy do need to have access to a computer/tablet and internet to be able to fulfill the district assessment requirements that are part of the program. Families will also need to upload submissions digitally and may need to join live virtual meetings for classes, clubs, or other school meetings.

What curriculum and learning resources are provided?

Free Online Curriculum

Tech Trep Academy will provide comprehensive online curriculum resources to all students at no cost to families. These include:

  • Learn 360 
  • Brainpop and Brainpop Jr.
  • Epic (during school hours)
  • Generation Genius
  • Khan Academy
  • Salsa Spanish
  • Tangy Tuesday
  • Teach Your Monster to Read

    Opt-in Programs for 2023-24 (Optional Homeroom Resources)

    Students will have the following additional direct curriculum options available as opt-in programs. The funds for each program will be deducted from the student’s learning funds. Parents can opt into any of these programs. Additional information about each resource can be found in Infocenter. 

    Multi-Subject Resources:

    • Education.com Premium
    • Exact Path
    • IXL 
    • Moby Max
    • Study Island
    • Tech Trep Academy teacher-led online classes

    Language Arts:

    • Adventure Academy
    • Accelerated Reader
    • Exact Path
    • Hairy Reading 
    • Headsprout/RAZ Kids
    • Lexia Core5
    • Lexia Power Up
    • MIWrite (grades 3-12)
    • Moby Max 
    • Nessy Reading and Spelling
    • Reading Eggs/Eggspress
    • Quill
    • Vooks
    • Waterford

    Math:

    • ALEKS
    • Beast Academy Online
    • CTC Math
    • Dreambox Math
    • Frax Math
    • Mathletics
    • Mathseeds
    • My Math Academy
    • Prodigy Math
    • Reflex Math
    • Sumdog

    Social Studies and Science:

    • IXL
    • Kids Discover Online
    • Moby Max
    • Mystery Science

    Electives:

    • Adobe Creative Cloud
    • Centervention
    • Code Monkey
    • IXL Spanish
    • Microsoft 365
    • Sign it: ASL!
    • Tech Trep Direct Elective Courses (computer programming, photography, google ninja, engineering, etc.)
    • The ULAT
    • Touch-type, Read, Spell
    • Tynker
    • Typing Club
    What happens if my preferred learning resources are not part of the provided free curriculum?

    We believe parents should have the flexibility to choose the learning resources that fit their student best.  Many additional resources are available through direct order or through reimbursement. As Tech Trep Academy is in partnership with the public education system, only secular materials are approved for reimbursement or direct orders.

    Can I select religious-based curriculum as part of my approved program?

    Parents are free to supplement their child’s education with religious materials using their own private funds. As this program is in partnership with the public education system, only secular materials are approved for direct orders.

    What if I need help choosing a curriculum that is best for my child?

    We would love to help!  We have several curriculum specialists who meet with parents to help them navigate through the curriculum options.  These specialists are seasoned educating-at-home moms and certified teachers. 

    What are supplemental learning resource points?

    Each student receives supplemental learning resource points each year. Using our points system parents can order additional approved educational resources. These resources can be used to supplement the free resources that are already provided.  Educational items such as curriculum,  online subscriptions, computers/tablets, internet fees, extracurricular classes, tutoring, museum passes, tech items and so many more things can be ordered with the supplemental learning points system.  A parent gets access to these points through direct orders done through the school. 

    Do we get to keep the learning resources we receive through the supplemental learning points system?

    Yes, as long as you meet all program requirements for the year, the learning resources are yours to keep. Program requirements include semester learning plans, bi-weekly reporting, and attendance reports.  If a family chooses to withdraw from the program before the end of the school year, or does not meet program requirements, all materials, curriculum, and technology may need to be returned.

    How do I access the supplemental learning points?

    Each child is wonderfully unique and with the supplemental learning points system parents can choose the resources that will benefit their child the most. Half of the student’s points can be used per semester (850,000 points/1st semester and 850,000 points/2nd semester).

    Supplemental learning resources are ordered directly by the school and shipped at no cost to the family’s home.

    Direct Tech Trep Academy Courses – Tech electives, virtual clubs, and some online courses all have points associated with them. When parents sign-up their students for these resources the points will be deducted from the students’ supplemental learning resource points.

    Optional Homeroom Resources – Parents will find a list of optional homeroom resources in InfoCenter once enrolled that are available using supplemental learning points.

    Direct Order – Tech Trep Academy can purchase your approved supplemental learning resources from either Amazon.com and/or Rainbow Resource and have the items shipped to you directly. This service is FREE. 

    Close to the beginning of the school year, direct orders will become available. Parents can create a wishlist on Amazon.com or RainbowResource.com and then set up an appointment with the direct ordering team to have the school purchase learning resources. 

    Parents can find additional information about the supplemental learning points, how to access direct ordering, and a list of items that are NOT approved for reimbursement in the InfoCenter Parent Link after they are enrolled in Tech Trep Academy.

    NOTE: Families are welcome to purchase one device per student every three years. This includes a desktop computer, laptop, chromebooks, or iPad/tablet. If an extra device is desired, such as a device that is mobile and will work while traveling on top of one that stays at home, exceptions can be made. Exceptions can also be made if the device become non-functional for any reason.

    What subjects or classes are required?

    Students will have the four core classes:  Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies as well as two electives.  The electives can be PE, fine arts, foreign language, technology, or anything the student is interested in. 

    How often do students/parents turn in student work?

    Families turn in student learning assessments every two weeks for the four core classes. Reports on student’s elective classes will also happen every two weeks. Weekly reports will be on core classes one week and elective classes the next. Submissions consist of a learning sample which can be in the form of a worksheet, test, paper, picture of a project, or video of your student explaining what they have learned. Our goal is to keep reporting very simple and easy!

    Are students required to participate in State testing?

    In North Dakota testing is optional. When you enroll you will choose to opt in or out of testing.

    If you choose to opt in for testing test sites will be set up in various parts of the state. Significant travel to get to a testing site is likely.

    Tests available in North Dakota include NDSA Math  and NDSA Language Arts for grades 3-8 and NDSA Science for grades 4 & 8.

    How will my child be graded?

    The grading system is designed to help your child succeed. Students receive a pass/fail grade for their classes. Grades are determined as teachers receive student learning assessments. The learning assessment process is designed to showcase your student’s strengths while keeping the reporting very simple and easy!

    Do you offer field trips?

    Yes!  We offer FREE field trips EVERY month!  These activities are free for our students and at least one parent.  Most of the time, additional siblings or parents can attend at a discounted rate.  These field trips are such a fun benefit of our program! We provide many activity opportunities throughout the year.  Field trips included outdoor activities, educational opportunities, and fun entertainment for the family.

    Tech Trep Academy also offers virtual field trips. This year a few of the events our families have enjoyed include attending online book clubs and tea parties, viewing exotic reptiles, learning about severe weather and the constitution, meeting authors, touring a TV station, and enjoying a virtual tour of Jamestown!

    What courses or clubs are offered as electives?

    There are SO MANY fun ways to fill elective requirements. Families are welcome to create their own custom elective plan – gathering their own resources using the supplemental learning fund.

    Tech Trep Academy offers virtual teacher-led clubs that students can participate in. There are also many virtual tech elective classes offered through Tech Trep Academy. Fees for virtual clubs and Tech electives can come from the student’s supplemental learning fund.

    Tech Trep Academy virtual clubs provide opportunities for youth to participate in activities, interact with peers in a positive and supervised setting, as well as pursue interests and develop skills. Many students fulfill elective requirements while participating in these virtual clubs.

    More information on Virtual Clubs

    View the many fun Tech Electives offered through Tech Trep Academy

     

    Do you offer teacher-led courses or classes?

    Yes, absolutely! Many parents prefer that some subjects be taught to their student by a certified teacher.

    Virtual teacher-led classes are part of the optional resources parents have access to for their students. There are classes offered in science and social studies for many grades. Some of these classes will use the student’s supplemental learning resource points.

    Another fun opportunity many Tech Trep families enjoy is the optional virtual Bridge program. The Bridge program offers virtual teacher-led classes in core subjects and students also pick one virtual club as an elective. This program uses some of the student’s supplement learning resource points. 

    Many families also enjoy the virtual clubs which are teacher-led and cover a wide variety of interests.

    More information on Virtual Clubs

     

     

    Does every student need to take a Tech or Entrepreneurship course?

    No. Our goal is to help students gain valuable skills to be successful in college, career, and life, while encouraging them to pursue their interests. When selecting electives students may choose one of the courses we offer or they may choose some other skill they are interested in!  The sky’s the limit!

    Families are welcome to create their own custom elective course designed specifically for their student.

    View a List of Virtual Clubs which many students use as electives – effective as of January 2021.

    See the many fun Tech Electives offered through Tech Trep Academy.

    Is the recommended age for the Tech courses flexible?
    Yes – absolutely.  We believe the parent knows their child best and can decide if he/she would be able to handle a course that may be designed for older students.
    Which Minecraft course would be best for my child?
    The Minecraft STEAM course is broad and touches on Art, Engineering, Entrepreneurship, Math, Language Art / Social Studies concepts.  The course can be applied at multiple levels, depending of the skill level of the student.  Since it is very open, it allows students to do projects at their own level.  Experienced Minecraft players may know some of the Minecraft techniques already (how to make a character skin and how to use redstone), but will discover new concepts  such as basic art techniques, making scale models, and learning about circuitry with redstone.

    The Minecraft Modding with Java course is fairly technical and focuses exclusively on creating and adding custom modifications to Minecraft using Java. The course is appropriate for any student 11+ that has a basic foundational grasp of coding and is comfortable with a little bit of troubleshooting.

    Can parents or schools purchase individual tech and entrepreneurship courses?
    Yes!  Visit TechTrep.com, and private pay parents and schools can purchase individual courses for students. Note:  Several partner schools and programs across the country are pre-approved to purchase via Tech Trep.
    If / when my child is accepted, will I receive additional information?

    Yes!  Once enrollment has been completed in InfoCenter an acceptance email will be provided with additional information. 

    What is the enrollment process?
    • Parents submit an application for each child in the Tech Trep Academy InfoCenter.
    • Once accepted, parents submit a complete enrollment packet in InfoCenter. The packet includes proof of residence, birth certificate, and immunization information.
    • Both student and parent need an active email account (see video for help with younger children).
    • After the packet is approved, you will receive a confirmation email letting you know your student is fully enrolled.
    • Once enrollment is complete, there is nothing else to do until summer when the student schedule can be created and learning resources are ordered.
    • You will be able to access Parent Link and Announcements in InfoCenter for additional information.
    • If you have questions about the process, please reach out to [email protected] for help and support in enrollment..
    Can I read about other people's experience in the program?

    Absolutely! Go the parent testimonials to read what other families have experienced while enrolled in Tech Trep Academy.

    I have additional questions. How do I get more answers?

    Contact Us with your questions and/or check out the live Parent Information Meetings. We look forward to speaking with you!

    How did the Tech Trep Academy program begin?

    In 2008, a full-time public school program called My Tech High was created to provide students in Utah with a personalized education experience focused on technology and entrepreneurship.  Interest in the Utah program has continued to grow each year with thousands of students now participating. My Tech High has added programs in Colorado and Arkansas.

    Tech Trep Academy (‘trep’ is short for entrepreneur) started in 2015 to help part-time students outside of Utah to access the amazing technology and entrepreneurship curriculum.

    Beginning in February 2017, a full-time Tech Trep Academy program became available in Idaho for students in grades K–8! As of fall 2022, Tech Trep Academy has also added programs for Arizona, Indiana, Tennessee, Wyoming, and North Dakota.