Getting Started

Step 1. Making the Decision

Choosing a program for your child may seem daunting at first. You may want to consider your lifestyle, student interest, values, and beliefs when choosing a program. To review FMPSD’s program options, please click here. Your decision will also depend on the role that you, as a parent, would like to have in your child’s education. We are ready to help.


Step 2. Are you Eligible for Home Education Funding?

Eligibility is dependent upon the program that you and your family choose as their educational program. Teacher-led, virtual or module-based programs do not have funding available to families. Parent-led home education programs have some funding available to help parents with expenses. Blended programs may be eligible for a percent of funding.


Home Education Students:

The province of Alberta provides home education funding to each home education student registered before September 30, 2021. These funds are received and distributed to the family by the school board the student is registered with. The funding amount is $1700 per student (according to the 2020-2021 school year) in which half can go to the home school student ($850) by way of receipts and evidence that the expense will support the child's education. The remaining half is retained by the school board to cover costs of facilitators, computers/printers/copiers, other costs associated with a facility.


Students can access these funds to help cover program costs, instructional materials and other resources related to the home education program.
Click on Reimbursement Details for more information.



**Students registered into home education programs after September 30, 2021 will not receive provincial funding
and will not be reimbursed for home education expenses.**​



Step 3. What Resources are Available?

In a parent-directed program, parents can research from the multitude of instructional, human, community and digital resources that they feel will work best for their child's education. Please see the Resources section for links to useful websites in planning your child’s home education.

Step 4. Registration

Parent Directed Homeschool Program (1-12)

Parent’s choosing the parent-led option will have to fill out a Home Education Notification Form. They will also have to provide a copy of their child’s birth certificate or Citizenship documents. You can bring these documents directly to Frank Spragins High School, 190 Tamarack Way, or you can email them to Sarah.MacDonald-Hiscock@fmpsd.ab.ca.

Blended Learning (Shared Responsibility) (1-12)

For blended learning, you will need to fill out both the Home Education Notification Form, and a school registration form. You will also need to provide a copy of your child's birth certificate. School registration will depend upon the needs of the student and the parent, along with school availability. Blended Programming can be discussed with the Home Education Coordinator upon registration for your Home Education Program

Email: Sarah.MacDonald-Hiscock@fmpsd.ab.ca
Telephone: 780-714-3434

Teacher-Led Module Based (Frank Spragins 9-12)

Module-based options will require you to fill out a school registration form only. You will also need to provide a copy of the student's birth certificate. Please select Frank Spragins High School upon registration.
Please select one of the following options:

Step 5. Educational Program Plan

Developing a program may seem like a huge undertaking, but we are here to help. Please click here for examples of fillable home education plans that you can download and tailor to your needs.

Parent-led home education programs have many different sets of learning outcomes to choose from:

  • outcomes prescribed in the Alberta Program of Study, or

  • the outcomes listed in the Home Education Regulation: School Act

  • Unschooling.

  • Parent-created program of studies.


Ultimately, the decision is up to the parent and the student. We support whatever path you choose, and will do our very best to support you as you move forward with your home education journey.


Step 6. Facilitator Evaluations

Parent-led home education programs require facilitator evaluations as per Alberta Education. Depending upon the program that is chosen, evaluations and assessments can look different. Some home education parents choose not to formally assess students but provide the home education facilitator with a portfolio of the student’s work to determine progress. This basis of the evaluation is your Education Program Plan, meaning that student progress is compared to their ability and not to other students.


Your home school facilitator will meet with you at least twice over the school year to evaluate your program. They will also provide you with a written report at the end of the year which details their evaluation. At this time, they may offer advice to support or improve your program and monitor the progress of your student.


A facilitator, who is also a certified teacher, will be assigned to your child upon approval of your child's Notification Form and Educational Program Plan.


The duties of the facilitator are:

  • to discuss educational goals, resource selection and evaluating procedures with the student and their parents.

  • to conduct two evaluations per school year as per Home Education Regulation. These evaluations usually occur in November and March.

  • be available for additional sessions to strengthen academic skills and student confidence as well as assist parents with their teaching practices and assessment method.

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In preparation for evaluation visits, students and parents are expected to provide a portfolio containing samples of student work and progress as well as any assessments that have taken place. Access to the student for a direct evaluation is also a necessity. Evaluation visits usually last around one hour and are completed in the home.




Step 7. Transportation

Paid bus transportation to and from the school may be available for students enrolled in module-based or blended learning. Contact us for details.