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When does registration open? How do I register?REGISTRATION OPENS ON THESE DATES EACH YEAR FOR COURSES OFFERED IN THE FOLLOWING SUMMER AND SCHOOL YEAR: February 15 @ 9 a.m. EST for current Blue Tent students and siblings March 1 @ 9 a.m. EST for new families REGISTRATION FOR SELF-PACED CLASSES IS ALWAYS OPEN GO TO REGISTRATION | TUITION Submit a registration form. Submit the $75 registration fee. The registration fee is paid once per student per school year and is due at registration. QUESTIONS? Email bluetentonline@gmail.com. We will be happy to help.
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How do wait lists work?If a class is full, we will publish that there is a wait list at the top of the class description page and note the current list size on the registration form and tuition page of our website. To join a wait list, please submit a registration form. No fee is requested until a seat opens up. The Blue Tent Director will send you an email confirming your number on the list. Once a seat opens up, we'll email you right away. You will receive a class confirmation email, and you can then complete the registration process noted in that. In past years almost all of our classes have wait lists at some point during the spring and summer. But in past years, almost all students students have gotten into classes they were interested in. We know wait lists are stressful. We will do all we can to provide you with timely about your student's status. Feel free to contact us if you have questions.
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When are the 2023-24 class days, times, and breaks?​​​​​​​2023-2024 BLUE TENT SCHEDULE ​​​​​​​ BLUE TENT BREAKS Fall Break | Oct 2-8 Thanksgiving | A light week Winter Break | Dec 11-Jan 1 Spring Break | Mar 4-10 CLASS FORMATS Synchronous = Live classes | Teacher led and graded Asynchronous = NO regular live classes | Teacher led and graded | Weekly teacher interaction & involvement with students | Weekly text-based forums for student discussion & collaboration Self-Paced = NO regular live classes | Teacher graded | Structured with weekly pacing but assignment completion timing is student-choice | Must be completed within 12 months of start BLUE TENT ORIENTATION Opens August 1 Self-Paced To be completed before start of first class ALL TIMES BELOW ARE EASTERN ENGLISH Electives Dystopian Fiction | Fall 2023 Only | Sept 5-Dec 8 | T 12-1 p.m. Eastern Science Fiction: How Science Shapes Literature & Film | Spring 2024 Only | Jan 9-Apr 16 | T 12-1 p.m. Eastern New to the Shelf: A YA Book Club | Aug 2023-Apr 2024 | Monthly | 8-9 P.M. Eastern (**evening) Tuesdays | Aug 29/Sept 26/Oct 24/Nov 28/Jan 9/Feb 6/Mar 12/Apr 16 The Page-a-Day Aspiring Authors Club | Every other F | 2-3 p.m. Eastern Summer Intensive | June 5-Aug 4 Fall 2023 Session | Sept 5-Dec 8 Spring 2024 Session | Jan 8-Apr 19 Creative Writing | Fall 2023 | Aug 28-Dec 10 Section 1 | Fantasy to Farce | Every other F | 12:30-1:30 p.m. Eastern Section 2 | Cradle to Crypt | Every other F | 2-3 p.m. Eastern Creative Writing | Spring 2024 | Jan 8-April 28 Section 1 | Fantasy to Farce | Every other F | 12:30-1:30 p.m. Eastern Section 2 | Short Stories to Tall Tales | Every other F | 12:30-1:30 p.m. Eastern Section 3 | Cradle to Crypt | Every other F | 2-3 p.m. Eastern Core Classes Intro to Lit & Comp | Aug 21-May 5 | Asynchronous English Lit & Comp 1 | Self-Paced | Available any time after Aug 1 Honors English Lit & Comp 1 | Aug 21-May 5 | Optional weekly check in W 12-1 p.m. Eastern Honors English Lit & Comp 2 | Aug 21-May 5 | Optional weekly check in W 1:30-2:30 p.m. Eastern AP Lang & Comp | Aug 14-May 14 (AP exam) | Asynchronous AP Lit & Comp | Aug 14-May 8 (AP exam) | Asynchronous Advanced Senior English | Aug 21-May 5 | Asynchronous MATH Electives Trigonometry Workshop | Self-Paced | Available any time Core Classes Algebra 1 | Aug 14-May 12 Section 1 | T 3-4:15 p.m. Eastern Section 2 | Self-Paced | Available any time Optional Live Study Halls (live or self-paced) | T 4:30-6 p.m. and Th 6-8 p.m. Eastern Honors Algebra 1 | Aug 17-May 12 Section 1 | T and Th 3:15-4:15 p.m. Eastern Section 2 | Self-Paced | Available after Sept 1 Optional Live Study Halls (live or self-paced) | W 1-3 p.m. and F 1-3 p.m. Eastern Geometry | Honors Option | Aug 14-May 12 Section 1 | W 1:30-2:45 p.m. Eastern Section 2 | Th 4:30-5:45 p.m. Eastern Section 3 | Self-Paced | Available any time Optional Live Study Halls (live or self-paced) | T 4:30-6 p.m. and Th 6-8 p.m. Eastern Algebra 2 | Aug 14-May 12 Section 1 | Th 1:45-3 p.m. Eastern Section 2 | Self-Paced | Available after Sept 1 Optional Live Study Halls (live or self-paced) | W 1-3 p.m. and F 1-3 p.m. Eastern Honors Algebra 2 | Aug 17-May 12 Section 1 | Th 12-1:30 p.m. Eastern Section 2 | Self-Paced | Available after Sept 1 Optional Live Study Halls (live or self-paced) | W 1-3 p.m. and F 1-3 p.m. Eastern Regular & Honors Precalculus | Aug 14-May 12 Section 1 | Precalculus | W 3-4:15 p.m. Eastern Section 2 | Honors Precalculus | W 3-4:15 p.m. Eastern Section 3 | Self-Paced Precalculus | Available any time Section 4 | Self-Paced Honors Precalculus | Self-Paced | Available after Sept 1 Optional Live Study Halls (live or self-paced) | T 4:30-6 p.m. and Th 6-8 p.m. Eastern AP & Non-AP Statistics | Aug 14-May 7 Section 1 | AP Statistics | 2-3:15 p.m. Eastern Section 2 | Self-Paced AP Statistics | Available any time for 2024 AP exam target Section 3 | Self-Paced Non-AP Statistics | Available any time Optional Live Study Halls (live or self-paced) | T 4:30-6 p.m. and Th 6-8 p.m. Eastern AP Calculus AB | Aug 14-May 13 (AP exam) | F 2-3 p.m. Eastern AP Calculus BC | Aug 14-May 13 (AP exam) | F 12-1 p.m. Eastern SCIENCE Core Classes General Biology | Aug 21-May 5 | W 4-5:30 p.m. Eastern Honors Biology | Aug 21-May 5 | Th 1:30-3 p.m. Eastern Optional Live Study Hall | F 1-4 p.m. Eastern AP Biology | August 14-May 16 (AP exam) | W 1-2:30 p.m. Eastern Honors Chemistry | Aug 21-May 5 | T 1:30-3 p.m. Eastern Optional Live Study Hall | F 1-4 p.m. Eastern Marine Biology & Oceanography | Aug 28-May 3 | M 12-1 p.m. Eastern Human Anatomy & Physiology | Aug 21-May 5 | Asynchronous Optional Live Study Hall | F 1-4 p.m. Eastern
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When were the 2022-23 class days, times, and breaks?"​​​​​​​The 2022-2023 School Year ​​​​​​​ BLUE TENT BREAKS Fall Break | Oct 3-9 Thanksgiving | A light week Winter Break | Dec 12-Jan 2 Spring Break | Mar 6-12 CLASS FORMATS Synchronous = Live classes | Teacher led and graded Asynchronous = NO regular live classes | Teacher led and graded | Weekly teacher interaction & involvement with students | Weekly text-based forums for student discussion & collaboration Self-Paced = NO regular live classes | Teacher graded | Structured with weekly pacing but assignment completion timing is student-choice | Must be completed within 12 months of start BLUE TENT ORIENTATION Opens August 1 Self-Paced To be completed by start of first class ENGLISH Electives Science in Fiction: How Science Shapes Literature & Film | Fall Only | Sept 6-Dec 9 | T 12-1 p.m. Eastern Blue Tent Book Club | Sept 2022-Apr 2023 | Monthly | 8-9 P.M. Eastern Mondays | Sept 12/Oct 10/Nov 14/Dec 5/Feb 6/Mar 13/Apr 3 The Page-a-Day Aspiring Authors Club | Fall Only | Sept 9-Dec 9 | Every other F | 11:30-12:30 p.m. Eastern Creative Writing | Fall 2022 | Aug 29-Dec 11 Section 1 | Fantasy to Farce | Every other F | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Eastern Section 2 | Fan Fiction to Mysterious Myths | Every other F | 12:30-1:30 p.m. Eastern Section 3 | Cradle to Crypt | Fall Only | Every other F | 2-3 p.m. Eastern Creative Writing | Spring 2023 | Jan 9-April 30 Section 1 | Fantasy to Farce | Every other F | 12:30-1:30 p.m. Eastern Section 2 | Fan Fiction to Mysterious Myths | Every other F | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Eastern Core Classes Intro to Lit & Comp | Aug 22-May 6 | Asynchronous English Lit & Comp 1 | Self-Paced | Available after August 1 Honors English Lit & Comp 1 | Aug 22-May 6 | Optional weekly meeting Honors English Lit & Comp 2 | Aug 22-May 6 | Optional weekly meeting AP Lang & Comp | Aug 15-May (AP exam) | Asynchronous AP Lit & Comp | Aug 15-May (AP exam) | Asynchronous Advanced Senior English | Aug 22-May 6 | Asynchronous MATH Electives Trigonometry Workshop | Self-Paced | Available any time Probability & Statistics Workshop | Self-Paced | Available any time Core Classes Algebra 1 | Aug 15-May 13 Section 1 | T 4:15-5:30 p.m. Eastern Section 2 | Self-Paced | Available after Sept 1 Honors Algebra 1 | Aug 17-May 12 | Th 3-4:30 p.m. Eastern Geometry | Honors Option | Aug 15-May 13 Section 1 | W 4:15-5:30 p.m. Eastern Section 2 | Th 3-4:15 p.m. Eastern Section 3 | Self-Paced | Available after Sept 1 Algebra 2 | Aug 15-May 12 | Fri 12:45-2 p.m. Eastern Honors Algebra 2 | Aug 17-May 12 | Th 12-1:30 p.m. Eastern Precalculus | Honors Precalculus | Aug 15-May 13 Section 1 | Precalculus | Th 4:30-5:45 p.m. Eastern Section 2 | Honors Precalculus | W 3-4 p.m. Eastern Section 3 | Precalculus | Self-Paced | Available after Sept 1 Section 4 | Honors Precalculus | Self-Paced | Available any time AP Statistics | Aug 15-May (AP exam) Section 1 | Alternating T 3-4 Eastern and F 3-4:30 p.m. Eastern Section 2 | Self-Paced | Available any time AP Calculus AB | Aug 15-May (AP exam) | F 2-3 p.m. Eastern AP Calculus BC | Aug 15-May (AP exam) | F 12-1 p.m. Eastern SCIENCE Core Classes General Biology | Aug 22-May 6 | W 4-5:30 p.m. Eastern Honors Biology | Aug 22-May 6 | Th 1:30-3 p.m. Eastern AP Biology | August 15-May (AP exam) | W 2-3:30 p.m. Eastern Honors Chemistry | Aug 22-May 6 | T 1:30-3 p.m. Eastern Marine Biology & Oceanography | Sept 6-May 8 | M 12-1 p.m. Eastern Human Anatomy & Physiology | Aug 22-May 6 | Asynchronous
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When were the 2021-22 class days, times, and breaks?"The 2021-2022 School Year BLUE TENT BREAKS Fall Break | Oct 4-10 Thanksgiving | A light week Winter Break | Dec 13-Jan 2 Spring Break | Mar 7-13 CLASS FORMATS Synchronous = Live classes (also recorded) Asynchronous = NO regular live meetings | Text-Based classes w/active student discussion & collaboration BLUE TENT ORIENTATION Opens August 2 Self Paced To be completed by start of first class MATH Honors Algebra 1 | Aug 23-May 13 Section 1 | Th 12-1:30 Eastern Section 2 | F 2-3:30 Eastern Geometry | Honors Option | Aug 16-May 13 Section 1 | W 2-3:30 Eastern Section 2 | W 4-5:30 Eastern Section 3 | Self paced (avail Sept 1, 2021 through Sept 1, 2022) Honors Algebra 2 | Aug 23-May 13 Section 1 | Th 2-3:30 Eastern Section 2 | F 12-1:30 Eastern Precalculus | Honors Precalculus| Aug 16-May 13 Section 1 | Regular | Th 2-3:30 Eastern Section 2 | Honors | Th 4-5:30 Eastern AP Statistics | Aug 16-May (ends on date of AP exam) Section 1 | Every otherT | 2-3:00 and F | 2-3:30 Eastern Section 2 | Self paced (avail Aug 1 to AP exam) AP Calculus AB | Aug 16-May (ends on date of AP exam) Section 1 | Calculus AB | F 2-3 Eastern AP Calculus BC | Aug 16-May (ends on date of AP exam) Section 1 | Calculus BC | Traditional | F 12-1 Eastern Section 2 | Calculus BC | Extended | Th 1-2 Eastern ENGLISH Creative Writing | Fall 2021 | Aug 30-Dec 12 Section 1 | Fantasy to Farce | Every other F | 11-12 Eastern Section 2 | Short Stories to Tall Tales | Every other F | 12:30-1:30 Eastern Creative Writing | Spring 2022 | Jan 10-May 1 Section 1 | Fantasy to Farce | Every other F | 11-12 Eastern Section 2 | Short Stories to Tall Tales | Every other F | 12:30-1:30 Eastern Intro to Lit & Comp | Aug 23-May 7 (Asynchronous) Honors English 1 | Aug 23-May 7 (Asynchronous) Honors English 2 | Aug 23-May 7 (Asynchronous) AP Lang & Comp | Aug 16-May (ends on date of AP exam) (Asynchronous) AP Lit & Comp | Aug 16-May (ends on date of AP exam) (Asynchronous) Advanced Senior English | Aug 23-May 7 (Asynchronous) SCIENCE General Biology | Aug 23-May 7 Section 1 | W 7-8:30 p.m. Eastern Honors Biology | Aug 23-May 7 Section 1 | Th 1:30-3 Eastern AP Biology | August 16-May 11 (AP exam) Section 1 | Th 7-9 p.m.Eastern Honors Chemistry | Aug 23-May 7 Section 1 | T 1:30-3 Eastern Marine Biology & Oceanography | Aug 23-May 7 Section 1 | M 12-1 Eastern Section 2 | M 1-2 Eastern Human Anatomy & Physiology | Aug 23-May 7 (Asynchronous)
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When were the 2020-21 class days, times, and breaks?"2020-2021 BLUE TENT BREAKS Fall Break | Oct 5-11 Thanksgiving | A light work-week Winter Break | Dec 14-Jan 3 Spring Break | Mar 8-14 CLASS FORMATS Synchronous = Live classes. (Also recorded) Days/times listed (in Eastern) below. Asynchronous = Text-based classes. Active and interactive, but no regular live meetings. Math Algebra 1 | Aug 24-May 14 1 | M/W 9-10 a.m. Eastern 2 | M/W 1-2 p.m. Eastern 3 | T/Th 10-11 a.m. Eastern 4 | T/Th 2-3 p.m. Eastern Algebra 2 | Aug 24-May 14 1 | M/W 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Eastern 2 | M/W 3-4 p.m. Eastern 3 | T/Th 8-9 a.m. Eastern 4 | T/Th 12-1 p.m. Eastern Geometry | Aug 17-May 14 1 | M/W 4-5:15 p.m. Eastern 2 | T/Th 2-3:15 p.m. Eastern Precalculus | T/Th 4-5:15 p.m. Eastern | Aug 17-May 14 AP Statistics | W 2-3:30 p.m. Eastern | Aug 17-May 13 (AP exam) AP Calculus AB | F 2-3 p.m. Eastern | Aug 17-May 4 (AP exam) AP Calculus BC | F 12-1 p.m. Eastern | Aug 17-May 4 (AP exam) English Creative Writing Fall 2020 | Aug 31-Dec 11 Fantasy to Farce | every other F @ 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Eastern Short Stories to Tall Tales | every other F @ 12:30-1:30 p.m. Eastern Creative Writing Spring 2021 | Jan 11-May 2 (note updated end date) Fantasy to Farce | every other F @ 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Eastern Short Stories to Tall Tales | every other F @ 12:30-1:30 p.m. Eastern Intro to Lit & Comp | Aug 24-May 7 Honors English 1 | Aug 24-May 7 Honors English 2 | Aug 24-May 7 AP Lang & Comp | Aug 17-May 12 (AP exam) AP Lit & Comp | Aug 17-May 5 (AP exam) Advanced Senior English | Aug 24-May 5 Science General Biology | W 7-8:30 p.m. Eastern | Aug 24-May 7 Honors Biology | Th 1:30-3 p.m. Eastern | Aug 24-May 7 Honors Chemistry | T 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Eastern | Aug 24-May 7 Human Anatomy & Physiology | Aug 24-May 7 ​
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When were the 2018-20 class days, times, and breaks?"2019-2020 BLUE TENT BREAKS Fall Break | Oct 7-13 Thanksgiving | A light work-week Winter Break | Dec 16-Jan 5 Spring Break | Mar 9-15 CLASS FORMATS Synchronous = Live classes. Days/times listed below. Also recorded. Asynchronous = Text-based. Active/interactive classes. No live meeting days/times. Preview Week =Online classrooms open for "preview" one week prior to start dates listed below. Year-long classes only. Semester-long classes open on dates indicated. Math Honors Algebra 1 | Mon/Fri 2-3 p.m. Eastern | Aug 26-May 15 Honors Algebra 2 | Mon/Fri 12-1 p.m. Eastern | Aug 26-May 15 Honors Geometry | Tues/Thur 1:30-2:30 p.m. Eastern | Aug 19-May 15 Honors Precalculus | Tues/Thurs 2:45-4 p.m. Eastern | Aug 26-May 15 AP Statistics | Fri 1-2 p.m. Eastern | Jan 6-May 15 (AP exam) AP Calculus AB | Mon/Fri 2-3 p.m. Eastern | Aug 19-May 5 (AP exam) AP Calculus BC | Mon/Fri 12-1 p.m. Eastern | Aug 19-May 5 (AP exam) English Creative Writing: Fantasy to Farce (spring2020) | Fri 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Eastern | Jan 13-May 10, 2020 Creative Writing: Short Stories to Tall Tales (spring2020) | Fri 12:30-1:30 p.m. Eastern | Jan 13-May 10, 2020 Creative Writing: Fantasy to Farce (fall 2019) | Fri 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Eastern | Sept 2-Dec 15, 2019 Creative Writing: Short Stories to Tall Tales (fall 2019) | Fri 12:30-1:30 p.m. Eastern | Sept 2-Dec 15, 2019 Intro to Lit & Comp | Aug 26-May 8 Honors English 1 | Honors English 2 | Aug 26-May 8 AP Lang & Comp| Aug 19-May 13 (AP exam) AP Lit & Comp | Aug 19-May 6 (AP exam) Advanced Senior English | Aug 26-May 3 Science General Biology | Honors Biology | Human Anatomy & Physiology | Aug 26-May 8 Honors Chemistry| Tues 10:00-12:00 p.m. Eastern | Aug 26-May 8 ••••••••••••••••••• 2018-2019 BLUE TENT BREAKS Fall Break | Oct 8-14 Thanksgiving | A light work-week Winter Break | Dec 17-Jan 6 Spring Break | Mar 11-17 CLASS SCHEDULES English Creative Writing (fall 2018) | Fri 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Eastern | Sept 4-Dec 14 Creative Writing (spring 2019) | Frid 12-1 p.m. Eastern | Jan 14-May 10 Intro to Lit & Comp | Aug 27-May 10 Honors English 1 | Honors English 2 | Aug 27-May 10 AP Lang & Comp | Aug 20-May 15 (AP exam) AP Lit & Comp | Aug 20-May 8 (AP exam) Advanced Senior English | Aug 27-May 3 Science Honors Biology | Honors Chemistry | Human Anatomy & Physiology: Aug 20-May 10
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How do I pay tuition?Tuition can be paid by PayPal, credit card, check, or school charter PO. There is a place to indicate your payment preference on the registration form. PayPal: Click on the Registration | Tuition link at the top of the website and scroll down to select the classes and resources you wish to purchase, add those to your cart, and then check out by selecting PayPal. Credit Card: Follow the process above and choose PayPal. If you have a PayPal account, you will have the option to still pay by credit card. If you do NOT have a PayPal account, you will check out as a PayPal guest without creating a PayPal account. You will have the option to complete your transaction as a guest , and you will see the option to pay by credit card. Check: Send your check to Blue Tent Online, 7228 Mt. Pleasant Rd., Willow Spring, NC 27592 Charter Purchase Orders: Arrange for a purchase order through your charter teacher. We will hold a seat for your student and look for a PO to come our way before the start of class. If Blue Tent is not a vendor for your charter (see the "Charter" FAQ thread), let us know, and we will be happy to apply to become a vendor. School or Scholarship Program: We will be happy to work with whatever process your school or scholarship program has in place. Just contact us at bluetentonline@gmail.com to make those arrangements. Contact Brigid Thompson, the Blue Tent Director at bluetentonline@gmail.com if you have payment questions or requests.
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What is the Blue Tent payment policy?REGISTRATION Students will be added to class rosters once we receive both their registration form and registration fee. Links to this 2-step registration proccess can be found at the top of the Registration | Tuitionpage. REGISTRATION FEE The $75 registration fee is charged once per student per school year and is non-refundable. The registration fee can be paid in one of these ways: By check: use the Blue Tent payment portal and choose "credit card or check" and then "offline payment" for our mailing address. By PayPal or credit card. Purchase orders will not be accepted for registration fees, but If you are with a California charter that covers registration fees, we will issue a full refund once we receive your charter's PO. TUITION PAYMENTS Tuition is due once you receive an email confirmation from the Blue Tent Director that your student is fully registered for a class. That will hold your student's seat in the class. Tuition can be paid in several ways: By check: use the Blue Tent payment portal and choose "credit card or check" and then "offline payment" for our mailing address. By PayPal or credit card. By CA Charter or scholarship program purchase order: arrange for a PO to be sent to Blue Tent Online in July or August. Families paying tuition via a PO commit to paying full tuition regardless of the amount their charter will pay. If you need to make alternate payment arrangements, please contact us at bluetentonline@gmail.com.
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What is the Blue Tent refund policy?REGISTRATION FEE A $75 registration fee is charged once per student per school year and is non-refundable. If you are with a California Charter that will pay for registration fees later in the summer via a PO, you will need to submit your registration fee when you register your student, and you will receive a full refund when we receive your purchase order. WITHDRAWALS To withdraw, please send an email to bluetentonline@gmail.com. TUITION REFUNDS A $35 withdrawal fee per class will be deducted from each tuition refund. This is to defray PayPal/credit card fees which are never refunded to us. Full-Year Classes: 100% of tuition will be refunded for a full-year class withdrawal through July 31. 75% of tuition will be refunded for a full-year class withdrawal between August 1 through the end of the first week of the class. No tuition refunds will be issued after the end of the first week of a class. Semester Classes: 100% of tuition will be refunded for a 1-semester class withdrawal up to 15 days prior to the start of the class. 75% of tuition will be refunded for a 1-semester class withdrawal 14 days prior to the start and through the end of the first week of the class. No tuition refunds will be issued after the end of the first week of a class. Self-Paced Classes and Workshops: 100% of tuition will be refunded prior to the start of a class. No tuition refunds will be issued after a student accesses a class online. Purchase Orders: We welcome families to pay tuition and fees via a Califonia charter or scholarship program rather than paying tuition up front before classes start. Our refund policy for purchase order payments is the same as above. Families paying via a PO commit to fully paying any balance due regardless of whether their charter/alternate payment provider will pay the full balance following a withdrawal. DIGITAL RESOURCES Digital resource purchases cannot be refunded. Please contact bluetentonline@gmail.com with withdrawal/refund requests or any questions.
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What calculator should I purchase?Which calculator to purchase is not an easy question to answer since there are so many options out there with dizzying functionalities and a wide range of price points. There are many calculator reviews online, but here are some considerations for you to consider in order to make the decision that is best for you. TI-Nspire CX and TI-Nspire CX CAS Calculators: The most powerful calculator allowed on the AP and SAT tests right now is the TI-Nspire CX CAS. "CAS" stands for Computer Algebraic System. This means that the TI-Nspire CAS can perform algebra operations such as factoring, expanding, or solving algebraic equations, which can be very helpful on the SAT. This calculator is NOT allowed on the ACT exam, whereas the TI-Nspire CX, which does not have the CAS capabilities, is allowed. Therefore, if you think you might take the ACT at some point. You might want to give up the CAS capability (which helps on the SAT test) and purchase the TI-Nspire CX, which is still a very powerful calculator and is allowed on all standardized tests. Comparison of TI-Nspire CX vs. TI-Nspire CS CAS https://mathclasscalculator.com/index.php/blog/ti-nspire-cx-vs-ti-nspire-cx-cas/ The TI-84 family: These calculators are also excellent calculators. They will serve you very well through all high school math, but they lack the functionality and ease of use of the TI-Nspire for college level classes such as AP Calculus AB, BC or AP Stats. Calculator Policies: SAT: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/taking-the-test/calculator-policy ACT: http://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/ACT-calculator-policy.pdf AP: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/ap-coordinators/on-exam-day/calculator-policy
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What microscope should I purchase?Not all science classes will need microscopes. Check the resources list that is linked on each class description page or contact us if you're not sure. Our science teachers have some suggestions HERE to help you choose a microscope. If you have additional questions, feel free to contact us at bluetentonline@gmail.com.
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CA Charters: Which CA homeschool charters have approved Blue Tent Online as a vendor?This page will be updated as vendor agreements are completed and approved during the summer. Send us an email if you would like us to apply/reapply to be a vendor at your charter: bluetentonline@gmail.com. Some charters require demonstrated family interest before accepting new vendor applications. 2023-24 RENEWED/APPROVED Blue Tent is an approved vendor in 2023-24 for the following California homeschool charters: Blue Ridge Academy Compass Connecting Waters Cottonwood School Granite Mountain Heartland Heartwood IEM Ocean Grove Sky Mountain South Sutter iLEAD Pacific Charter Institute (renewal app submitted) Heritage Peak Charter School Rio Valley Charter School Sutter Peak Charter Academy Valley View Charter Prep Sage Oak Sequoia Clarksville Feather River Lakeview Suncoast Prep Vista Oaks (renewal app submitted) Some charters have designated some of our math, science, and English classes as a-g. There is a separate FAQ question with more information.
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CA Charters: Are Blue Tent classes a-g approved in CA?MATH Our math classes--Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, and Precalculus--are a-g approved as regular math classes when taken through these California homeschool charters: Blue Ridge Academy | Clarksville Charter School | Cottonwood School | Feather River Charter School | Granite Mountain Charter School | Heartland Charter School | Lake View Charter School | Monarch River Academy | Pacific Coast Academy | Yosemite Valley Charter School All IEM charters: Ocean Grove | Sky Mountain | South Sutter Our math classes are a-g approved as regular or honors classes when taken through iLEAD. SCIENCE Our Biology, Honors Biology, Honors Chemistry, and Anatomy classes are a-g approved as regular science classes when taken through these California homeschool charters: Blue Ridge Academy | Clarksville Charter School | Cottonwood School | Feather River Charter School | Granite Mountain Charter School | Heartland Charter School | Lake View Charter School | Monarch River Academy | Pacific Coast Academy | Yosemite Valley Charter School Our science classes are a-g approved as regular or honors classes when taken through iLEAD. These science classes are a-g approved when taken through the IEM charters Ocean Grove, Sky Mountain, and South Sutter: Biology, Honors Biology (honors a-g), Honors Chemistry (honors a-g), Marine Biology & Oceanography (a-g Integrated Marine Science), and Human Anatomy & Physiology. ENGLISH Our Honors English Literature & Composition 1 and Honors English Literature & Composition 2 classes are a-g approved as regular English 9 and English 10 classes when taken through these California homeschool charters: Blue Ridge Academy | Clarksville Charter School | Cottonwood School | Feather River Charter School | Granite Mountain Charter School | Heartland Charter School | Lake View Charter School | Monarch River Academy | Pacific Coast Academy | Yosemite Valley Charter School Our Honors English Literature & Composition 1 is a-g approved as regular English 9 and our Honors English Literature & Composition 2 is a-g approved as an honors English 10 class when taken through these California homeschool charters: All IEM chartersOcean Grove | Sky Mountain | South Sutter Our English classes are a-g approved as regular or honors classes when taken through iLEAD..
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My charter funds are not yet available. Can I still register?Yes, we understand the charter funding and PO process, and no tuition is due from you, personally. If you are with a charter, go ahead and register, sending us your registration form and fee. There will be a place on the registration form where you can indicate you will be paying with charter funds. We will assume that you will talk with your charter education specialist and arrange for a PO to come our way in July or August.
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Can I split up my tuition payments?If you are with a CA charter and would like to split up your purchase orders into monthly or semester payments, that's perfectly fine. For full-year classes POs can be set up monthly or by semester if you wish. Monthly: 10 payments, August-May You can use a different number, but 10 (Aug-May) makes our bookkeeping a lot easier. Breaking a course into 10 payments provides an even balance of 5 payments per semester. Semester: 2 POs for half of the tuition in Aug-Dec and half in Jan-May.
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Are your Advanced Placement (AP) courses approved by the College Board?Yes, all our AP courses are approved by the College Board and re-authorized every year through the course audit process. We've been teaching AP courses since 2010. Our current AP courses: AP English Language & Composition AP English Literature & Composition AP Biology AP Statistics AP Calculus AB AP Calculus BC
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Do you arrange for an AP exam test site?No, online providers won't be able to do that for you. You will need to contact local schools in the early fall to ask if your student can test there. We have information about this process and suggestions for doing this that we share with our students once classes begin. If you would like those suggestions, just send us a note at bluetentonline@gmail.com.
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Are your courses approved by the NCAA?Yes, our core courses--both synchronous (live) and asynchronous (text-based)--are approved by the NCAA. Our NCAA high school code is 850907.
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Where are Blue Tent classes held?Where are Blue Tent classes held? Blue Tent instructors live in California, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Ohio, but we teach 100% online--so our classes are held everywhere. We use the Moodle learning management system (LMS) on our own dedicated server, and we use ZOOM for live instruction and discussion. Students access their web classrooms at our password-protected class site--www.bluetentclasses.com--for instruction, assignments, quizzes, and peer interaction.
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Do you require tests to be proctored by an outside source?No, we do not use test-proctoring software, and we do not use or require the use of outside proctoring services. Blue Tent teachers may request some tests to be proctored by parents. That simply means that parents will be asked 1) to be present while the test is being taken, 2) to be aware of the directions, and 3) to ensure that only allowed resources are being used during the test.
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How do you handle academic integrity?ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY Effective learning depends on an atmosphere of shared honesty and respect. Students are expected to be honorable when completing assignments--submitting their own original work using only expressly permitted resources. If a student is found to have plagiarized or cheated on an assignment, test, or paper, the instructor will 1) notify the Blue Tent Director and 2) work individually with that student, requiring an appropriate action--such as repeating an assignment, retaking a test, or rewriting a composition. If a student plagiarizes or cheats a second time, parents will be notified and further appropriate action will be taken. To facilitate an environment in which students take pride in their work and achievements, some assignments may ask students to sign a statement of academic integrity and some tests may require proctoring.
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Do you offer accommodations for learners?Yes. If a student has an IEP or 504 plan, we ask that parents share that information with the Blue Tent Director and also with the individual instructor(s) before classes start so that there will be a clear understanding of what is needed and requested--and how we can help.
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Diagnostic TestsIf a student is quite advanced and considerably younger than the traditional age/grade for our science or math classes (prior to AP Calculus), instructors may request a diagnostic test and may ask to Zoom briefly with the student and parent to help ensure that the class will be a good fit. Diagnostic tests for these classes will be requested from students: AP Calculus AB AP Calculus BC Instructors will be in touch with families after registration.
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Age | Grade Guidelines and Prerequisites
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What distinguishes an honors class from a non-honors class?IN GENERAL Classes taught at an honors level proceed at a faster pace and cover more material than regular classes. Honors-level students should be independent-minded with an intrinsic desire to learn and explore. ENGLISH In honors-level English classes, students will be asked to do more critical thinking. They should be willing to stretch and be comfortable trying. Honors classes will include discussion forums that will ask for more than single responses. Students will reflectively consider their classmates' thinking and actively engage with disparate ideas. MATH Students in an honors math class should expect to see questions that are different from assigned practice problems, but ones they have the necessary knowledge and understanding to figure out. Honors math students will typically work with fewer examples to achieve mastery. Some honors math classes will include discussion forums designed to apply math concepts to the real world so students can see the relevancy of learned concepts to their lives and future careers. Regular and honors math classes will both include word problems, but word problems will be much more common and more frequent in honors classes. Regular and honors-level classes rarely cover every lesson in every chapter of a textbook, but honors classes will cover more of the text than the non-honors classes. In the Honors Algebra classes, for example, no entire chapters are skipped, but some lessons within them will be. Instructors teaching honors-level classes will supplement material in their textbooks when they see new concepts and approaches finding their way into the SAT and ACT.
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ENGLISH: What's the difference in Self-Paced English Lit & Comp 1 and Honors English Lit & Comp 1?
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SCIENCE: What are the differences in General Biology, Honors Biology, and AP Biology?General Biology Class Description Honors Biology Class Description AP Biology Class Description Blue Tent OnLoan Information
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MATH: Are there age/grade prerequisites for your math classes?Setting students up for success is always a priority at Blue Tent! We've found that younger students are still learning the organizational skills needed to be successful in an online class. When they struggle, it is rarely with the material itself, but with the independence and discipline it takes to keep up with the assignments and complete them by a deadline. While this is a generalization and we are happy to consider advanced students at any age, our recommended minimum ages and grades are: Algebra 1 | 11 years old or 6th grade Geometry | 12 years old or 7th grade Algebra 2 | 13 years old or 8th grade Precalculus | 14 years old or 9th grade AP Statistics | 15 years old or 10th grade AP Calculus AB | 15 years old or 10th grade AP Calculus BC | 15 years old or 10th grade We welcome parent questions. Please reach out to us at bluetentonline@gmail.com. Our instructors will be happy to talk with you. If students. are younger than these recommend guidelines and we haven't heard from you in advance, instructors may request a brief get-to-know-you Zoom meeting with students and their parents before registration is confirmed.
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MATH: What math sequence should I choose?Blue Tent does not recommend or require students to complete Geometry and Algebra 2 in a particular order. We have found there to be no significant difference in the performance or preparedness of students who take Algebra 1/Geometry/Algebra 2 versus Algebra 1/Algebra 2/Geometry. Some points you may wish to consider: Geometry uses a lot of Algebra I skills, applying them to concepts with figures and shapes, so it might be beneficial for a student to practice and reinforce foundational Algebra 1 skills before diving into Algebra 2. Precalculus depends quite a bit on skills learned in Algebra 2, so by taking Algebra 2 immediately prior to Precalculus, students may benefit from having those skills fresh in their minds. A student's SAT plans may be a factor in choosing the sequence. Students will need to have completed Algebra 1 and Geometry before taking the SAT in math. There are pros and cons to either sequence. There is no single "best" sequence, and a committed student will enjoy success taking Geometry and Algebra 2 in either order.
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Where can I see background information about Blue Tent teachers?You can find teacher bios linked to their names under "Class Details" in each of the course descriptions. You can also find them HERE. Just click on the teacher's name or image to learn more about each teacher's educational background and experience--as well as a little bit about them personally.
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Do you have student or parent class reviews and feedback?Yes! You can find links to parent and student feedback for each of our teachers and their classes HERE.
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How can I borrow a class textbook through Blue Tent OnLoan?We offer students the option to borrow gently used textbooks that they will be using in their Blue Tent math and science classes. The cost is $8.50 per book to cover postage and packaging. For more information, see Blue Tent OnLoan.
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Does Blue Tent issue transcripts?We will be happy to provide an official record of Blue Tent Online classes taken by any student. Upon request, we will send that document to a student, parent, college, or program. Just fill out this Transcript Request form. There is no charge for emailed transcripts. There is a $5 charge for USPS mail or a charge of $5 plus the cost of any expedited shipping costs if you request that. Shipping charges will be billed to you via a PayPal invoice.
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Does Blue Tent issue cumulative grade reportsAll students have full access their cumulative grade pages in their online classrooms. These can be printed from the website at any time. If you need assistance with a printed copy, just contact us at bluetentonline@gmail.com.
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Where are the class reading and resource lists?You can find a link to the reading list and resources for each class under "Class Details" in the course descriptions.
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Are there Teaching Assistants in your classes?Yes! Many Blue Tent teachers offer TA roles to their most outstanding past students. We pay our student TAs and we clearly establish what is needed and when upfront. TAs add a been-there-done-that component that current students value. They grade some assignments, offer feedback some of the time, and answer questions. TAs never take the place of our teachers. Blue Tent teachers supervise our TAs and only ask them to do things that are well within their level of expertise. Including TAs in our teaching is a great way for us to extend instruction and help while offering the opportunity to outstanding students to solidify their academic and professional skills.
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Are your classes religious or secular?We welcome in a diverse student body with widely varying views on religion and politics. All our classes are secular. We take no position on religion or politics. Our curriculum, courses, and teaching practices are secular. Our teaching does not espouse any particular political point of view--liberal to conservative.
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Can you recommend fine arts classes?Yes! Blue Tent focuses on science, math, and English classes, but we can recommend Courtney Sanford's art classes. *Please know that some of her classes are not secular. The Delightful Art Company
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