FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Enrollment is open year-round (open enrollment). July 1 begins the official school year; once your student is enrolled, you can create an (ILP) Individual Learning Plan and begin accessing the student allotment for the coming school year.
Unused allotment funds are rolled over to the next year and combined with your new allotment.
Upstream Learning serves both types of students. The best case is for students to start at the beginning of the school year, however, some students have circumstances that require half year enrollment. Our team would be happy to help meet the needs of your students whether they attend for a full year or half year.
Upstream Learning accepts students from throughout Alaska.
Yes. Your child may enroll with us part-time and with a local public school, private school, or home school for the remainder of their day.
We will discuss your situation with you on a case-by-case basis. Some families do travel during the year, and we will work hard to accommodate your situation within state guidelines.
Parents may choose to use faith-based curriculum, but may not use allotment funds to purchase it. We encourage parents to research the array of curriculum that is available as they make their choices. Our Resource Room includes many examples of curriculum parents may look over or check out.
The support teacher is your main contact with Upstream Learning. They will help solve problems, order and/or assist you in choosing curriculum, and will help advocate for your student.
Yes they may, just as any other CRSD student. They will need to follow eligibility guidelines, maintaining passing grades and keeping up with timelines. Students who reside in other areas of the state may coordinate with their local school to participate in athletic teams.
We allow parents to decide how much or how little to incorporate computer usage into their students’ educational program. Families may be reimbursed for computers, tablets, and other technology devices using allotment. See the Handbook for guidelines.
Yes, preschool students may enroll and have access to a portion of the family allotment.
Upstream Learning is a public school program, as part of the Copper River School District. Therefore, there is no cost to the student or the family.
The State of Alaska provides each student with a fund account from which to purchase curriculum materials, classroom supplies and lessons. We administer the allotment fund, and the parent draws on this fund to pay for educational costs for the school year.
Grades K-4 receive $1800,
Grades 5-8 receive $2100
Grades 9-12 receive $2400
Curriculum choices, once selected, must be approved by our contact teacher as part of the student’s Individual Learning Plan. Once approved the family can choose to order the materials themselves and apply for reimbursement, or the parent can fill out a
requisition form and submit to our office for ordering.
We allow parents to choose curriculum materials that are best suited to their student’s individual learning style, abilities and interests. Curriculum must be aligned to state standards and must be reviewed by our support teacher before purchase.
Yes, that’s one of our support teacher’s main duties. We will offer as much or as little assistance as you need in choosing curriculum. In fact, as part of our enrollment procedure, the parent and the support teacher will work together to build your child’s Individual Learning Plan . We are glad to share catalogs, used curriculum resources, ideas, and web links as needed.
We encourage parent involvement. We have a monthly Parent Pot Luck, quarterly Advisory School Board/Parent meetings, quarterly parent/student/teacher meetings, special events, and we invite parents to stop in and visit staff and our library and resource room when they are in the area.
Upstream Learning offers statewide assessments, including the Alaska Developmental Profile for Kindergarten students, Early Literacy Screening for Gr. 1-3 and PEAKS for Gr. 3-10. Students may also take the MAP assessment in the fall and spring.