FAQs
General FAQs
Is iQ Academy California – Los Angeles (IQLA) a private school?
No. IQLA is an online public charter school, authorized by the Rowland Unified School District, serving grades TK–12.
What does it cost to attend IQLA?
IQLA is a public school, so there is no tuition. We provide California-credentialed teachers and instructional materials. Eligible families receive a loaner computer and printer. Students and families will be responsible for providing some common household materials (such as printer ink and paper). Our enrollment consultants can help address your technological and computer questions and needs.
Is IQLA the same as homeschooling?
No. IQLA is not the same as homeschooling. Students enrolled in IQLA do their learning at home, but they are participating in a public school. The curriculum is approved by the State of California Department of Education for earning TK–12 school credits. Unlike homeschooling, there are credentialed teachers to assign work and guide student learning, daily lesson plans, and an entire support system—including administrators, guidance counselors, assessments, and a progress-tracking system.
My child has been homeschooled up until now and will be in 11th grade next year. Can they graduate on time? How will IQLA count their homeschool work?
Because every homeschool curriculum can be different, we will need to review any documentation you have of your child's grade or middle school work, so we can compare it with IQLA's requirements. Contact us by phone or email for more information. Each student in grades 9–12 receives a Graduation Plan to guide them on their path to graduation.
Will my child receive a high school diploma?
Students who successfully complete all the graduation requirements will receive a high school diploma from IQLA.
How do I get teacher support if my child is having difficulty with coursework?
Your child's teachers are available by phone and email. They provide live instruction throughout the week, when students and staff can interact in a virtual classroom. Teachers also will provide feedback on any completed assignments or projects.
How will my child be evaluated?
The elementary school program is mastery-based, which means your child won't move on to the next lesson until they've mastered the current one. We measure proficiency through lesson, unit, and semester assessments. In middle school and high school, progress is measured through quizzes, exams, written essays, assignments, projects, and semester exams. Every course contains specific information on how a student's work will be evaluated. We encourage parents and students to contact teachers at any time to discuss the evaluation process.
What is the teacher's role?
Teachers meet the learning needs of the students enrolled in their courses or as assigned to them. Teachers hold live online sessions throughout the week when students can work virtually with their teacher and classmates. Teachers are also available by phone and email, and we encourage parents and students to contact their teachers with questions.
As a parent, how can I check on my child's progress?
Parents receive a login and password to enter the K12 Online School where they can access their child's classes, see what assignments have been completed, and view their child's grades. Parent–teacher conferences are scheduled during the beginning of the second and fourth quarters, but parents or teachers may request additional conferences as needed.
Do you provide curriculum for children with special needs?
Depending on a child's IEP, we can tailor your child's learning experience to meet your student's needs. To discuss your child's needs with us, please contact our office at 888.997.4722, and we'll put you in touch with our special education team.
How do students interact socially?
Students spend time with classmates online and through school outings, field trips, and other activities. IQLA students can participate in a variety of teacher-led online clubs, such as Story Time, Music Club, Children’s Theater, Book Buddies, Math Club, and Volunteer Club. Additional clubs are added throughout the school year. Students can also participate in K12 online national clubs to connect with peers of like interests.
What characteristics do successful online students have?
Some of the characteristics we have seen in our most successful students include:
The ability to work independently.
A willingness to seek out answers to their questions, or to move on to a different subject until the necessary help is available.
The willingness to ask for help when needed. There are many opportunities to get help from teachers, from other students, or from technical support. Students have to be willing to make use of those resources and let someone know if they don't understand something.
- Some personal motivation to succeed in the program. Students who are forced into an online learning environment are less likely to be successful.
To help your child succeed at IQLA:
Set up a school schedule for your child to follow every day. Students should plan on spending approximately one hour per day for every class, plus some extra time for outside reading or writing papers. Bear in mind, children in grades TK–5 can expect to spend less than half of their school day online with the rest of their time working in workbooks, on printed lessons, and other activities. Middle and high school students spend an increasing amount of their time online.
Create a student work area with limited distractions that has all materials easily available.
Encourage your student to discuss their work with you. Discussions can give you clues as to whether your student understands the materials and assignments. Early detection can help you catch potential problems before they grow into large difficulties.
How much time does the Learning Coach have to spend with their student?
The amount of time a Learning Coach spends working on lessons with a student will vary based on the student's age and specific needs. Learning Coaches spend more time in the early elementary years with their student but as students learn to read and gain more independence, the amount of time a student needs their Learning Coach will decrease.
How much interaction on the internet is involved with online schooling?
The main content of all IQLA courses is available directly through our secure, online student classroom area. In some cases, teacher-provided links direct students to other websites, where they can take advantage of educational information online. In addition to limiting the sites students must visit to do coursework, we have added software on all IQLA-provided computers that filters out inappropriate sites. Beyond that, good parental supervision and setting guidelines for internet use that match your family values will guide your children from unwanted information.
How do we know if IQLA is the right school for us?
We invite you to contact us and learn all you can about what IQLA has to offer you and your child. Getting as much information as possible is the best way to make an informed choice.
What if my family is homeless?
IQLA provides McKinney-Vento/Homeless assistance and supports for eligible families who meet the definition as defined below.
According to section 725(2) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11434a(2)), the term "homeless children and youths"—
(A) means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence...; and
(B) includes—
(i) children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; are abandoned in hospitals; or are awaiting foster care placement;
(ii) children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings;
(iii) children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and
(iv) migratory children who qualify as homeless for the purposes of this subtitle because the children are living in circumstances described in clauses (i) through (iii).
Children and youth are considered homeless if they fit both part A and any one of the subparts of part B of the definition above.
If you feel you may be eligible for assistance through the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, please contact
IQLA Homeless Liaison
Melisse Burns
Phone: 530.421.8165
Email: meburns@caliva.org
Questions? Call 844.401.0680
Resources for Homeless Children and Youths [PDF]
Resources for Homeless Children and Youths (Spanish) [PDF]
*Course materials vary by course and school.
