The Hope Academy Umbrella Program aims to fulfill a need within Hope Bible Church and the Hope Academy Tutorial by providing a supervised home education program (umbrella) that meets current Maryland state regulations. The program is designed to give parents as much freedom as possible in determining their children's education.
The Elders of Hope Bible Church believe that parents are responsible for their children's education, and that view is extended to Hope Academy. Parents are responsible for choosing and purchasing the curricula and teaching materials that best suit their needs. Parents may also enroll their child in the Hope Academy Tutorial Program, which uses a pre-selected curriculum.
The Hope Academy Umbrella Administration can show parents (1) how to maintain a portfolio, (2) how to monitor each child's progress, and (3) how to maintain all necessary student records.
The Umbrella Program fee for students in K-8th grade includes a pre-enrollment conference for new families, monthly lesson summary reviews, and two portfolio reviews per school year - one at the end of each semester. The pre-enrollment conference may be conducted virtually or in person. Portfolio reviews will be conducted primarily by experienced home school parents or, if needed, by professional educators.
The High School Umbrella Program fee for students entering 9th-12th grades includes a pre-enrollment conference, monthly lesson summary reviews, information and advisement regarding high school credit requirements and curricula, two portfolio reviews per school year, transcript preparation and maintenance, sending official transcripts to the institutions of the student's choice, and award the student's diploma upon completion of the high school requirements as prescribed by the Hope Academy Umbrella. A parent orientation may be held as needed to prepare parents for the High School Umbrella Program.
Currently, the Hope Academy Umbrella Program is only available for students who are either children of Hope Bible Church members or are enrolled in one or more Hope Academy Tutorial classes.