Learn more about Lewis River Academy from two of its students:
Join Caleb and Elizabeth Osorio, two of Lewis River Academy's students, as they talk about Woodland Public Schools' innovative LRA program in this video they made themselves.
For Prospective Families:
Is home study right for my family?
Some LRA families are committed homeschoolers, who choose LRA for its quality curriculum and partnership with grade level teachers, as well as opportunities to connect with the local school community.
Other LRA families chose home study for a change of pace for their student: more flexibility, more family support, fewer distractions, facing unique challenges or opportunities during a season of life.
Each family has a unique story, which we do our best to understand and support.
We wouldn't choose home study, except for the challenges/implications of COVID-19. How can you help?
We get that! Here's how we can help:
- Flexible scheduling: Students work individually with parents/guardians, with no required class time except a weekly contact check-in with teachers. You can always contact us with questions, but any group classes are optional.
- Personal attention from trained teachers. Checking in with a teacher is required each week, but we make a point of getting to know you uniquely so we can cheer you on and troubleshoot as needed.
- Tutorial help. As families have questions, we respond to email during school hours. With advance notice, we can set up time to work with students or families on specific assignments.
How does the program work?
To start, each family works with a grade-level teacher to outline a student learning plan with goals and subjects for the year. We talk about specific concerns and needs and how to address them. Students take Math, English, Science, Social Studies and PE, for approximately 5 hours a day of learning. Depending on space, co-enrollment at Woodland mainstream schools for elective courses is an option for LRA students.
Each school day at home, students work toward daily goals in one of our learning programs: K12, Edgenuity, or Odysseyware. The expectation is that students should work on each subject 1 hour per day. All lessons must be mastered at 80% or above. Work is assigned each school day.
Each week, new families check in with their teacher. Over email or Google Meet, discuss what's going well, work through any challenges, and see how teachers can help troubleshoot or support the next week's learning. Once you're comfortable/knowledgeable, you can check in each week via email or over Google Classroom.
Each month, families receive a progress report to show whether they've made satisfactory monthly progress in the learning programs. This means:
- Students complete lessons at mastery level (80%+)
- Students are on-time in the program, achieving monthly goals
- Students have weekly conversations with their teachers about their learning
Families with a good routine of working every school day, staying on time in their learning programs, and staying in communication with teachers weekly are successful each month with LRA..
What system requirements do we need?
Our learning programs assume that students are accessing the system via a laptop or desktop and broadband internet. Some will work on devices, but that's not ideal.
For the 2021-2022 school year, all Woodland students grades 5-8 will be offered a school Chromebook. If students grades K-4 need a Chromebook, they are available for checkout for the school year.
If using a Chromebook, students will need Wi-Fi to access their learning programs.
How much parent/guardian involvement is required?
Parents/"learning coaches" should plan to actively lead learning, roughly 2-4 hours a day
- Younger and less-independent students need active parent participation: leading them through lessons, discussing, helping them work. Plan for 4 hours per day (~1 hour per subject)
- Older students need parents to help review/reteach information, give feedback, break up projects and grade. Plan for 2 hours per day (~30 minutes hour per subject)
- If your student is more independent, be available for questions as they work and meet with them daily to review, discuss in detail, and give feedback on their work. Talking about what students are learning is as important as doing schoolwork!
LRA teachers work with each family to help parents grow into this role.
How do LRA teachers help?
As a new family, you will have a regular, weekly phone/video appointment with your LRA teacher to discuss the week's work and answer questions. For urgent questions about material, email your teacher during school hours.
We are enthusiastic classroom teachers who love thinking with you about how to help students be successful. We can help answer questions, address learning needs, equip you with online or hands-on resources, and find fun ways of practicing key grade level skills. As needed, we can tutor students, review student work, and help parents plan engaging, personalized learning.
Weekly Teacher-Student contact is a requirement. Families who are established in the program can check in via Google Classroom assignments and email, with meetings and tutoring scheduled as needed. The most important part of Weekly Contact is that it happens weekly, and is focused on schoolwork: troubleshooting, encouraging, teaching study skills, and giving feedback.
I'm concerned that my student has gaps in their learning from last year or generally.
If you have any concerns about your learner, or if they've been in intervention or assisted courses in the past, let us know. At the beginning of the year, LRA students take the i-Ready diagnostic online. This help us tailor curriculum and learning plans to fill in gaps.
My student likes a challenge/works above grade level. Will this be challenging enough for them?
Yes! We match curriculum to students' ability levels. They are always welcome to work ahead. For advanced placement, we use test data and teacher recommendations to make sure students have an appropriate challenge.
My student has an IEP/504 Plan/Special Needs. Can LRA address those?
In some cases, LRA is a great fit since it's individualized. Be sure to note your student's supports and needs on your application and Jake Hall (our principal) will discuss your options with you.
We're interested! What do we do next?
- Register with the Woodland district registrar by clicking here.
- When we receive your application, we will call to schedule an interview.
- An LRA teacher will contact you by phone or email to develop a learning plan, including choosing a learning program.
- We'll provide you with orientation information and how to get started.
For applications submitted over summer break, your interview will wait until teachers are back in the building.