Mrs. Debra Dykes
Principal/Administrator
Horizon Educational Systems 

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Horizon Educational Systems is a Non-public (for profit) school organized in 2001, meeting the definition under the Florida Statue #1002.01   and recognized by the State of Florida as a private school fulfilling the requirements of the Compulsory School Attendance Law #1003.01(13) and 1003.21 (2)(b)
 

When deciding on whether or not to join any private school, you may want to check out www.fpea.com  site of the Florida Parent Educator Association.  They also have the "Guide to Homeschooling in Florida."  When considering joining a private school, they outline a list of questions to ask (read pages 13-16 of the "Guide.")  

If you received a packet of info from SHARE, the "Guide" was included.  You may also find it online at www.fpea.com  or www.SHAREbradenton.homestead.com .

The FPEA says, "No matter how you educate your children, you will always be accountable to someone.  Although many in Florida who home educate do so by notifying their superintendents, a good number register with private schools of one type or another.  These schools are commonly described as "600" schools, named after the Florida statutes that define their corporate status."

These are the answers to some of their "Checklist of Questions."

R- HES has a Florida school number issued by the Florida Department of Education.

R-  HES has a College Board number for use in the SAT/ACT/PSAT scores for scholarships.   It affords HES the right to administer PSAT exams in October.

R-  HES has a "Dual Enrollment" agreement with Manatee Community College and Hillsborough Community College, so that our high school students may take courses (2 per semester for up to six semesters) with student paying only for books, as well as receiving both high school and college credit. Senior high school students may also "early enroll" at MCC for up to six courses (tuition-free).    This is based on MCC's criteria.   Their deadlines are June 15 for fall enrollment and December 15 for spring enrollment.     HES is willing to enter into other "dual enrollment" agreements with other Florida colleges on behalf of our students.

R-  HES fees and requirements are outlined in the information and application being sent to you.  (See below for outline of fees).

OTHER private schools typically charge more, some a lot more. Birth Certificate, Immunization records (copies of each) and photo of child/family are required. A semi-annual "attendance" report ( a simple form) is due January 31 and June 30.  Also required is an "evaluation" or report card (either submitted by the parent-teacher) on January 31 (for a parent's overview of what the student has been covering).   

High school students are required to submit a report card including the high school course number, course name, grade and credit earned.

R-  HES has two meetings... one in September and one in May.  Graduation is held with the SHARE Homeschool Support Group , or you may hold your own.

"Non-excused absence from either priority meeting will result in loss of discount tuition for the coming year and a $30/hour consultation fee for any counsel sought that was covered or could have been covered at the priority meeting held in September or May.

(excused absences include emergencies just previous to or during the meeting OR prior permission from the HES principal including medical reasons, out-of-town or job-related incidents)"


R-  HES students may join in with SHARE for standardized testing (Iowa Test in April).  HES is strictly a legal, private school covering for homeschooling families.... any fieldtrips would involve SHARE or any other support group you choose.

R-  HES does not have activities, tutoring, offer classes, nor does it provide books.  HES does however, provide an experienced advisement of how to fulfill the educational requirements in order to obtain a recognized high school diploma.

R-  HES is not accredited, but does credentialize, which we believe to be of the greater value.  Colleges look upon the SAT/ACT scores, academics taken, and extracurricular activities including community service when considering college entrance, and may require an entrance exam.   http://www.nacacnet.org will verify this.

R-  HES high school transcripts use the course code numbers of the Florida Department of Education, and final transcripts have an official HES embossed seal.  Bright Futures Scholarships have been awarded to our students who have scored well enough on the SAT or ACT exams, plus their required courses, including two foreign language credits.   Florida homeschoolers who are registered with an "out-of-state school," must ALSO be registered with their county superintendent during the 11th-12th grades in order to apply for Bright Futures Scholarships.  Not so if registered with HES, as it is a Florida-recognized private school.

R-  HES transcripts may be more easily acceptable than a homeschooling transcript if transferring the student to a public school, thanks to the "transfer of credit" policy uniform to Florida public schools.

R-  HES believes that parents should direct the course of study for their student, while not necessarily being the sole teacher.

R-  HES students are enrolled in a private school, and therefore the State of Florida has no record of their name in their "system."   HES only provides the State with the number of students enrolled in the school.  HES parents no longer have to comply with the home-education requirement to the school superintendent (primarily portfolio and educational log).

The Purpose:

The purpose of HES is to provide a legal "covering" under which member families may conduct individual home-based education programs for their children.  We believe that parents are responsible to oversee the education of there children (as does the United State Supreme Court and the Holy Scriptures); therefore HES leaves curriculum choice and educational methods up to the discretion of the parents.

HES tuitions are extremely reasonable and family friendly:

HES students are enrolled in a private school, and therefore the State of Florida has no record of their name in their "system."   HES only provides the State with the number of students enrolled in the school.  HES parents no longer have to comply with the home-education requirement to the school superintendent (primarily portfolio and educational log).

There are other private schools in the area, and upon checking them out you may find that their tuition is more costly, may be per student, may require monthly or weekly accountability and/or meetings, or may have a limited enrollment (by number or religious requirement or calendar deadline).  HES has open enrollment throughout the year, but our school year runs July 1st to June 30th.  HES does require an interviewing process and the signature of the parents acknowledging the HES "Statement of Faith" which was adapted from the Teaching Home magazine.   You will need to seek out what suits your family.

Tuition rates:

Non-refundable Tuition rates for the 2008-2009 school year:

$50 - single student of K-8th  OR
$75 - families of K-8th grade students ($65 if paid before August 15th) OR
$100 - families including 9th-12th grade students ($85 if paid before Augsut 15th)

$60/year for high school students seeking to get credit for high school years in which they were registered with the county as homeschoolers (this does NOT apply for publi or private school transfers).

$30 transcript fee for non-graduating students

*Late fees:  $5/student/day for report cards/attendance/evaluations not received when due.  DUE DATE FOR THESE are June 30th for K-11th grade and one week prior to diploma for Seniors and January 31st for mid-year.

**PLEASE NOTE:  Tuition is non-refundable and is NOT to be exchanged for transcript fees.    Transcripts will not be provided  for any student whose records are in non-compliance.

Scholarships:

HES graduates have year after year received scholarships.   In 2005, HES saw 8 of its 12 graduates receive Bright Futures Scholarships.   Two of those received the Florida Academic Scholars Awards (100% tuition), and one of those received the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship (an additional $3,000 award).


Dual Enrollment:

HES has articulation agreements with Manatee Community College and Hillsborough Community College for "dual enrollment" of courses taken by our 9th-12th grade students (who have qualifying scores/grades) at their campuses (tuition free and college credit).    HES has an articulation agreement also with the Florida Virtual School , plus several HES students take courses at the local technical training  centers.

Please check out www.flhef.org  for Florida statutes regarding homeschooling, as well as www.fpea.com  for a checklist of questions to ask private schools.

Please contact Debbie Dykes, HES Administrator/Principal  for questions or further information.

email:  HorizonEdSys@cs.com
phone:  941-751-4501 or 751-0700 after 3pm

Thanks for considering Horizon Educational Systems.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Debra Dykes
Principal/Administrator
Horizon Educational Systems
941-751-4501 after 3pm
941-751-0700