Frequently Asked Questions about Choices

Why do students and families choose Choices?

People choose Choices for a variety of reasons. Some of our learners come from a public school setting, while others are lifelong homeschoolers. Some Choices learners arrive with honor roll grades and excellent school records, but feel bored and limited in school. Others have serious passions, such as art, music, outdoor sports or computer programming, and feel that school is an obstacle to the progress they really want to make. Some learners arrive with diagnosed learning disabilities and special education plans, but feel that they were not receiving the appropriate support to meet their needs in a traditional classroom setting. Our students are seeking the opportunity to focus on their strengths while working on their challenges at their own pace. What each new member has in common is the willingness to leave traditional schooling and take responsibility for his or her own learning.

What can I expect when my child meets with his or her mentor teacher?

All Choices teachers genuinely want to get to know the students they are supporting. Initial meetings consist of many getting to know you exercises and informal diagnostic tests so that the mentor teacher and student can build an authentic relationship together while gathering essential information about how the student learns. We utilize an academic plan that becomes the framework of learning activities and goals for the teacher, family, and the student. The plan is created collaboratively and includes information such as educational resources, learning objectives, weekly activities and goals, as well as assessment. The hour can be used in many ways to support the objectives of the academic plan(s). Sometimes the mentor teacher is helping the learner gather more resources or problem solve to create a strategy. Other times it is hands on building together or tackling a specific skill set that is needed to support learning goals in the plan. Mentor teachers are not tutors. Rather, they act as a coach and organizer of the student's goals and academics.

Where and when do students meet with their mentor teachers?

Most meetings occur on the Beaverton and the North Portland Village Home campuses. Meetings can occur out in the community, like at a coffee shop or at a museum, depending upon the set goals. Mentor teachers cannot meet with students in their homes. Generally meetings consist of the mentor teacher and the student. However, there are times when the whole family or just the parents will utilize the hour. The family and mentor teacher work together to find a weekly day and time to meet that is scheduled and ongoing. With 24 hours notice, a meeting can be rescheduled and the hour made up at a time that works for both parties. No shows or less than 24 hours notice forfeits the meeting time that week.

What about friends and a social life?

At Choices, we strongly believe friendships and social interactions are integral to a learner’s personal and academic development. That is why we strongly encourage our learners to utilize and explore the many classes, workshops, and activities provided by Village Home. We also help all families access resources within their local communities and neighborhoods. We have found that when children are given the choice to determine their peer groups and are exposed to intergenerational activities, they are happy and thriving individuals able to work within diverse settings for many different purposes.

Does Choices represent or espouse any religious, ideological, or political movements or points of view?

Choices is nonpartisan, nonsectarian, and nondiscriminatory. Our commitment is to freedom in learning, and excellence in creating an educational environment where that freedom may be nurtured and prosper.