FAQs

Q:

A:

All new members must attend a New Member Meeting before they may join The Learning Tree. If you are unable to attend, you will not be able to join and register for the upcoming semester.

All of the board members are volunteers and fellow homeschool parents. Additionally, we do not have unlimited access to the church building where classes and meetings are held. For those reasons, there are no make-up meetings offered if you are unable to attend on the date the meeting has been scheduled for. 

This meeting is offered two times per year. There will be another New Member Meeting held before the next semester begins. As long as you remain on the Interested Family email list, you will receive an email when that meeting has been scheduled.

There is a direct link to new families' understanding of their responsibilities/commitments, and how our co-op functions, with required attendance. At this meeting we detail how our group operates, the student and parent expectations, and our registration process. This meeting is an important element to a successful and enjoyable first semester.

Please note: While The Learning Tree often hosts an "Open House" during the co-op semester, this event provides only general information. Attending an Open House does not take the place of the required New Member Meeting.

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The Family Membership Fee covers operational costs such as our building usage fee, insurance, website, building maintenance, office supplies, cleaning supplies, and other general expenses. The family fee is $35 per semester. 

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Yes, it will be refunded. 

However, we strongly encourage new families to find at least one class your child can take during your first semester. The board members can assist you in finding class openings if needed. They may not be your first choice, but they will get your foot in the door, and you will have returning member registration status for the next semester.

Q:

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No. 

The Learning Tree is only able to function because parents are present, participating, and helping throughout the entire co-op day.

We allow limited signing out to run quick errands, but this is not to be abused. Please see the "Can I run an errand?" question below.

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Yes (should be done sparingly).

Families may get lunch or do a quick errand. 

Find the sign-out sheet at the check-in desk and complete it before you leave. You must designate another adult who will remain on-site as the responsible party for your child in your absence. In order to leave the building while your child remains in their class, a medical release form must be signed and completed. 

The sign out policy should be considered an exception to the requirement for a parent to stay on site. If the policy is abused, membership may be revoked.

Q:

A:

Weekly volunteer requirements are based on the number of class hours for which your students are registered to attend. 

One hour of attendance requires:

• One hour of volunteering OR teaching (new members may not teach during their first semester)

Two to three hours of attendance requires:     

• One hour of teaching AND one hour of volunteering OR
• Two hours of teaching OR
• Two hours of volunteering.

**This includes if one child is registered for one hour and another child is registered for a different hour, or if one child is registered for two or more hours.

Four to five hours of attendance requires:     

• Two hours of teaching OR
• One hour of teaching AND two hours of volunteering OR
• Three hours of volunteering.

Additionally, each family is required to volunteer for one committee spot. A complete description of the volunteer policy can be found in the Member Handbook, available here.

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Yes.  When you sign up for a volunteer position, this is your place for the entire 10 week semester.

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When registering your children for classes, you will also register for your volunteer positions.

You can choose to volunteer as the classroom helper by clicking on your name in that class description window, or you can scroll down past the classes to the Volunteers (Non-Classroom) portion of the grid. Just as you signed your children up for classes, you will choose the volunteer positions you would like to fill. Click the name. When it opens, click the box next to your name and then click "register". There is no charge added for volunteer positions. If a volunteer position is already filled, you will not be able to click on your name, so you must search for another available spot.

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First, go to Edit My Profile and make sure to add your name to your family’s profile. Your name needs to be either the Primary or Secondary listed. The Primary adult should be the adult who will be volunteering most often. If you still have issues, please email the board.

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Sign up for another volunteer position. 

If there are no volunteer positions available during the hour(s) you will be attending, please email the board to ask for assistance with finding a spot.

We do our best to give everyone their first requests, but sometimes things have to be changed. Our number one priority is to always have 2 adults in every classroom. Next, we need all positions covered for each hour. This sometimes requires that we make changes after registration closes, in order to cover the needs of the co-op, and we appreciate your understanding, flexibility, and willingness to meet these needs.

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We understand that some members may have to accommodate their own children’s specific needs. We will try to get you in the best place for you and your child. If you have special needs and cannot find a way to schedule yourself, please contact the board directly.

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It is your responsibility to find a substitute (Float) for your volunteer position(s).

The Volunteer Schedule is located on the Volunteer Grid in the center of The Learning Tree member homepage. Each hour has multiple Floats listed. Contact a Float for the hour(s) you will need covered. You can also try contacting friends who might be available to fill in for you. The Learning Tree is a community and everyone helps each other out. 

Once you have a Float for your position(s), email or text the board to inform them of who will be your substitute. We need this information to be sure all operational needs are covered.

If for some reason you are unable to find a Float after following these steps, please contact the board.

*You will also need to email your child's teachers to report their absence.

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At this time, The Learning Tree reserves classroom teaching as a volunteer position for active and enrolled families only.

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Yes.

The nursery is only available to teachers/volunteers during their scheduled teaching/volunteer hour(s). The nursery is only available for children between the ages of 0-3 years old. 

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On the Class Registration Grid there is a Nursery section. Open it as you would with a class, and add the child that will be in the nursery during your volunteer hour(s).

If your child does not have their name listed with a box to check, you need to go to "Edit My Profile" and add them to your Family Profile. Once you have done that, their name will appear and you can register them for the nursery. 

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No. The Nursery drop off is strictly for members who are volunteering during their registered hour(s).

However, we understand that this is a safe space for little ones who would like to play, perfect for crawlers and young toddlers. Therefore, parents are welcome to bring their little ones into the nursery to socialize, but you are required to remain in the nursery with your child. You do not need to sign-in when staying with your child while they play in the nursery. Signing up on the website is only if you are volunteering in another capacity for The Learning Tree.

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If your family did not participate during the previous semester, your account was “parked”. Please email The Learning Tree board about your desire to return and register for the upcoming semester.

The board will unpark your profile, and the family fee will be added to your account. You can pay the fee by clicking on the Outstanding Balance amount at the top of the homepage. You will not be able to register for classes until the family fee has been paid, and all required forms have been updated/signed.

If you were an active member during the previous semester, your account will still be active, and the family fee will be added automatically. You will not be able to register for classes until the family fee has been paid, and all required forms have been updated/signed.

If your family attended The Learning Tree in the past, but has not participated for the past 3 semesters or more, you are considered a New Member again. You will need to attend a New Member Meeting in order to join and register for the upcoming semester.

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If you are a returning family and you are parked on registration day, it is most likely because you did not pay your family fee. This fee must be paid before you can register. 

If you have paid your fee and it still says you are parked, please notify The Learning Tree board via email or phone right away so we can get this issue resolved as quickly as possible.

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Spots for our preschool classes are prioritized for families who also have cumpulsory aged siblings registered and attending The Learning Tree classes. If your oldest (or only) child is preschool aged, you may be able to register for preschool classes if space allows. We will know if there are any preschool class openings toward the end of registration week. Please email the board if you're only interested in preschool classes, so we can follow up with you at that time. 

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Children must be 3 years old by the day co-op classes begin for the semester.

Preschool classes are intended for families with older homeschoolers who are enrolled in classes at The Learning Tree. 

If your oldest child is of Preschool age, you may send an email to the board regarding your interest in registering for The Learning Tree Preschool classes. 

You will be notified of the ability to register for remaining Preschool class openings toward the end of registration week, once it is clear that there is space available. *Attending a New Member Meeting is still a pre-requisite, and all member volunteer requirements/expectations still apply.

If your child is 2 during registration week, but will turn 3 before the first day of class, you are welcome to sign them up. If your child doesn’t turn 3 until after the semester begins, they cannot enroll in a Preschool class.

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Class registration opens at 10 AM Eastern on each registration groups’ specific day. Class registration closes at 9 PM on the Wednesday of registration week. This information is posted on the “Registration Dates” table on our website's homepage.

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To register for classes, volunteer positions, and a committee spot, you will first need to log into the member side of The Learning Tree website. 

When your registration window opens, click on the Class Registration Grid located on the tool bar at the top of the webpage. Open each class (or volunteer position) by clicking on the name of the class. Your family’s names will appear with a box next to it. Click the box for the child you wish to enroll, and then click register. 

Once you have completed this step, your child will have a spot in the class upon the conditions that they are not being added to a wait list, and that you pay the class fee by the indicated deadline.

Q:

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You have the option to add your student to a wait list. We still suggest that you enroll your student in another class if there is something that hour they can take. Schedules change, and spaces may open up, so if you are interested in a class that is already full, you can always place your child on a wait list.

Q:

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No.

You will be notified if a space becomes available. After we receive confirmation that your child still wants to enroll, the board will add your child to that class, then notify you to pay the class fee at that time.

Q:

A:

Maybe. 

We know that homeschooled students often work at varying grade levels. However, our classes are available based on the child's AGE, not a grade level. Be sure to accurately note your children's ages/birth dates in your family profile.

Allowing an exception outside the age range for a class is at the teacher's discretion. Depending on the content and material, some teachers may prefer to keep their chosen age range as is.

In order to be fair to all students, the following process will be followed:

Example – 6th grade student is 11 y/o, but would like to take a 7-12th grade (12 y/o-19 y/o) Art class.

Since the class is structured for ages 12 and up, priority registration goes to this age group of students. 

During your registration window, please notify the LT Board via email if you are interested in enrolling your student for a class that falls outside of their grade level/age.

The Board will contact the teacher on your behalf to obtain permission to enroll a student as an age exception. Again, this is at the teacher's discretion. You should not contact the teacher directly about enrolling a student as an age exception, as they are not the final deciding factor, nor do they have the ability to enroll the student on their end.

The Classroom Coordinator manages the age exception lists, and gives priority to those that are the oldest, then by when the parent made the request.

We appreciate your patience and understanding in this area. We want our homeschoolers to enjoy their co-op classes. However, our policies are in place to make registration fair to all families, while ensuring students have classes available to them in their age range.

Q:

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Once you have registered for all of the classes, volunteer positions, and a committee spot, head to the top of the screen where the class grid is located. There is a button labeled “Manage Registrations”. At the bottom of that page, there is a button that says "View Statement of Account to Pay". Click here to go to the payment screen. 

Each teacher has a payment button. If your students are taking more than one class from the same teacher, all of those classes will be totaled together to allow for one single transaction for that specific instructor. Click on the PAY ALL button for each teacher. This will take you to PayPal.  

Always REFRESH your screen between payments to ensure you do not double pay teachers.

You DO NOT pay for wait listed classes. You will be notified if space becomes available, and payment can be made at that time.

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No. The Learning Tree only accepts payments through PayPal.

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Class fees must be paid by the time registration closes, which is on Wednesday at 9 PM. 

If your class fees are unpaid at that time, your student will be removed from the class. 

If a class has a wait list, the next person “in line” will be offered the spot if there is an opening, and so on. Signing up on a wait list will not apply the class fee to your account. The class fee will be applied only once you have been notified of an opening and approved that enrollment. 

If you are experiencing financial hardship, you may request financial assistance once you are a returning Learning Tree member. There is a form on the website that needs to be completed as the first step. Financial assistance is not available to new members.

If you need to request a late payment, there is a form on the website for this as well. Not all teachers can accept late payments due to the nature of their class. Once your form is received, we will try to get an answer to you within a day. Submit a late payment form WHEN you are registering. Do NOT wait until payments are due to submit a form. We can't guarantee class spots at that point without knowing prior payment arrangements. 

Late payments are only offered to returning Learning Tree families. Do not contact the teacher directly for late payment requests. Without submitting a form, the board will have no way of knowing that you still intend to take/pay for the class, and your student will be removed from the class due to unpaid fees.

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No refunds will be issued after registration week ends (exceptions for potential wait list shuffles).

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Registration closes at 9 PM on the Wednesday of registration week. Board members finish working on schedules through the end of the following week, and may be able to make some schedule adjustments through Friday of that week. After Friday, the schedules are complete and we will not make changes.

If you need to drop classes after registration closes on Wednesday, please contact us and we can remove that class. Refunds are not always possible at this point, and it is up to the teacher's discretion.

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If you need to cancel a class registration, please email the board with this request. There will be no refunds for classes that are canceled after registration week (exception for potential wait list shuffles).