Ascend Online School vs. Home School

---

Documentation
At AOS, attendance, grades, progress, and other academic records are submitted directly to the student’s home school and tracked for state compliance.
In home school, parents are responsible for maintaining and submitting all required documentation to the local school district or State Board of Education.

Curriculum
AOS provides a tuition-free, standards-aligned curriculum through the Jupiter SIS platform, tailored to support academic recovery.
In home school, parents must purchase or design a curriculum that meets state standards.

Teachers
At AOS, certified Florida teachers provide instruction, monitor progress, and support students through live and virtual sessions.
In home school, parents are solely responsible for teaching all subjects, and no certified teacher support is provided.

Materials
AOS provides access to digital course materials at no cost. Families are only responsible for basic supplies like paper, ink, notebooks, and other school tools.
In home school, families must purchase all textbooks, learning resources, and supplies, which can be costly.

Schedule
AOS students follow a structured academic calendar and daily schedule. They are expected to complete 120 hours per course, divided into four terms.
In home school, parents create and manage their own schedule, as long as it meets the state's required instructional time.

Attendance
AOS tracks student attendance daily. Students may only miss one day per term. More than one absence per term may result in course withdrawal.
In home school, parents track and report attendance hours or days each year.

Socialization
AOS offers virtual clubs, live events, and occasional in-person activities for students to engage with peers.
In home school, parents must seek out social opportunities, which may be limited or vary by location.

Community
AOS provides access to a Learning Coach community, as well as teacher and counselor support to guide families.
In home school, parents must build support networks on their own.

Resources
AOS connects families to available academic and technology resources, including intervention programs and support services.
In home school, parents research and locate any needed resources themselves.