Description of Program
Dayton Christian School System offers a unique K-8 homeschool program that allows the parent to maintain flexibility in teaching style and curriculum while at the same time offering accountability, support, credibility, assessment, opportunities for interaction with peers, and various enrichment experiences. Office hours are maintained by a principal and an office manger at the Dayton Christian School Campus, and the program is supported by coordinators and enrichment day teachers. Regular communication with families is maintained via phone and e-mail, and a newsletter is published each month.
Accountability and Support
In addition to completing all forms and requirements for the regular DCSS admissions process, families who wish to apply to DCSS Homeschool are asked to complete the DCSS Homeschool Addendum.
Accepted families are then assigned a coordinator, a certified teacher who will meet monthly with the primary teaching parent to monitor academic progress as well as to offer suggestions, creative approaches, and encouragement. In order for the monthly meetings to be productive and helpful, a Dayton Christian Homeschool Monthly Coordinator/Family Communication Form or other approved communication form will be completed by the primary teaching parent each month and shared with the coordinator at the meeting. With the input of the primary teaching parent, a progress report will be completed by the coordinator at the end of each semester.
When needed, DCSS Homeschool students have access to special testing services through the DCSS Educational Assessment Office. For students whose test scores qualify them for special needs, the Educational Assessment Office will provide the family with an individualized educational plan (Individual Services Plan or ISP).
Credibility
An official cumulative folder for each K-8 student is maintained in the DCSS Homeschool Office. Cumulative folders will include but are not limited to test results, health records, the DCSS application, and progress reports. Upon request, school records can be sent to other school systems.
Curriculum and Materials
DCSS provides each student with books and materials for Bible, math, reading, language arts, social studies, and science. Much of the curriculum is the same or similar to that used on the traditional DCSS campuses. Parents receive some books and materials that need to be returned at the end of the year as well as workbooks and consumables that do not have to be returned. Teacher manuals and support materials are provided when available. Curriculum lists are available on this site.
Families may also elect to use a different curriculum than we provide. After approval by the DCSS Homeschool Principal, they will receive a refund of their book fees in the amount indicated on the DCSS Financial Fact Sheet (under admissions and then forms on the DCSS home page) for the current school year.
The DCSS Homeschool Office maintains a resource room that contains extra teaching manuals, test banks, audio-visual aids, games, creative learning ideas, and enrichment materials on all subjects. These materials can be checked out by DCSS Homeschool families for a three-week loan on a first come-first served basis.
Standardized Testing
Standardized testing is provided and required for each K-8 student in the spring. The Stanford Achievement Test (SAT) and the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT) are administered over a three-day period in the spring under the supervision of the DCSS Homeschool Principal and EXCEL Teachers. Students whose Individual Services Plans exempt them from the SAT and OLSAT are not required to take them, but they must complete yearly testing with the Educational Assessment Office.
EXCEL Days
EXCEL, which is an acronym for EXperience: Connecting with friends, Enrichment classes, and Leadership under other Godly teachers, is the name given to the enrichment days that DCSS provides for its K-8 DCSS Homeschool students. They usually occur once or twice per month, beginning in September and ending in April. All EXCEL Days are held at a location specified by DCSS and include announcements, enrichment classes, lunch time, and recess. The subjects offered vary yearly and according to grade level. Each subject is taught by a DCSS EXCEL Teacher. April EXCEL Days include standardized testing and an afternoon of field day activities.
EXCEL Days allow for peer interaction within a Christian environment and provide an opportunity for the student to respond to outside authority and the requirements of a regular classroom. They also give the teaching parent a short time to rest, prepare, or catch up on other duties.
Field Trips/Workshops
A variety of family field trips for all age levels are arranged during the school year as well as some workshops and other support group activities.
ACSI Student Activities and Extra-Curricular Involvement
DCSS Homeschool participates in the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Student Activities events as an individual school. Families are notified at the beginning of the school of the various activities at which DCSS Homeschool will be represented. Activities may include Speech Meet, Spelling Bee, and Math Olympics. Students will have the opportunity to participate in these various activities, depending on the grade level and the requirements of event.
DCSS Homeschool students may participate in selected extracurricular activities at either Dayton Christian School or Xenia Christian School. Homeschool students may try out for plays and musicals, and, with approval, 5-8 grade students may participate in band, strings, or choir on campus during the normal school day. Students in 7th and 8th grade may try out for and participate on athletic teams at either Dayton Christian School or Xenia Christian School.