Frequently Asked Questions
- How does this program work?
- Do I have to live in the district to attend?
- Do students receive a diploma in this program?
- Can a student take on-site classes through ILP?
- Can a student come to school everyday?
- Is a student in ILP allowed to accelerate through his/her courses?
- Is the program accredited?
- Are students with special needs allowed to enroll?
- Is priority given to students who are transferring from PACT/PFAA?
- How do you meet the Foreign Language requirement?
- What is the difference between the ILP and PACT program?
- What are your admission requirements?
- What are the graduation requirements?
- What does the program cost?
Q: How does this program work?
A: The primary delivery of curriculum in ILP is through independent study. Upon enrollment, the student and his/her parents sign a "Master Agreement" which acts as the student's academic contract, outlining his/her course of study. Students typically contract to meet with a credentialed teacher for at least one hour on a weekly basis. At these weekly meetings, the advisor will go over the student's work from the previous week and assign him/her the next set of assignments for the following week.
Q: Do I have to live in the district to attend?
A: Students who reside outside the Natomas Unified School District are allowed to attend ILP. However, by law Natomas Charter School must give preference for admissions and enrollment to in-district students.
Q: Do students receive a diploma in this program?
A: Yes, this program requires that students complete a minimum of 220 credits to receive a high school diploma (in addition to passing the state mandated CA High School Exit Exam).
Q: Can a student take on-site classes through ILP?
A: This program offers a limited number of on-site classes. Currently, ILP offers an Algebra I class and a Geometry class on campus. ILP students may also take a limited number of on-site classes through the site-based NCS Performing & Fine Arts Academy (PFAA) on a space-available basis. ILP students who attend on-site classes must adhere to the class schedules and attend class regularly.
Q: Can a student come to school everyday?
A: ILP students are allowed to come to the campus on a regular basis if he/she is attending class or needs access to resources. A Learning Center has been established for ILP students to use for studying, test-taking, or computer-assisted research. However, students are not allowed to loiter on campus, nor can students come on campus all day because he/she has nowhere else to go.
Q: Is a student in ILP allowed to accelerate through his/her courses?
A: Because the primary mode of curriculum delivery is through independent study, students who are working at, or above, grade-level may be allowed to take courses out of sequence or take additional credits in order to graduate early. Acceleration through courses will require administrative approval.
Q: Is the program accredited?
A: Both ILP and PFAA are fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Q: Are students with special needs allowed to enroll?
A: Natomas Charter School's admissions policies do not discriminate against any pupil on the basis of ethnicity, national origin, gender, or disability. Since the primary mode of curriculum delivery is through independent study, parents of students with special needs are encouraged to attend a pre-enrollment meeting.
Q: Is priority given to students who are transferring from PACT/PFAA?
A: Yes, preference for enrollment to ILP is given to students in other NCS programs. For the 2003-2004 school year, priority will be given to PACT students because of PACT's grade level reduction to K-8.
Q: How do you meet the Foreign Language requirement?
A: ILP requires 20 credits in foreign language or in art for graduation. If a student chooses foreign language, the requirement can be met through community college courses or by taking courses through the Performing and Fine Arts Academy.
Q: What is the difference between the ILP and PACT program?
A: ILP provides a prescribed course of study whereby students complete subject-specific courses towards earning a high school diploma. The PACT program does not offer a diploma or specific courses for graduation. Instead, the curriculum is selected by the parents.
Q: What are your admission requirements?
A: ILP does not have specific admission requirements. However, since this is an independent study program, students must have the motivation and skills to work independently on their own to complete coursework. All students and their parents are required to attend a two-hour orientation prior to enrollment to ensure that they understand the requirements of the program. Students and parents must submit a complete application in order to be considered for enrollment.
Q: What are the graduation requirements?
A:ILP requires a total of 220 credits for graduation:
- 40 English
- 20 Math
- 30 Social Science
- 20 Science
- 20 Art or Foreign Language
- 2.5 Health
- 47.5 Electives
- 20 Physical Education
- 10 Technology
- 10 Senior Project
Q: What does the program cost?
A: ILP is a public school program and is tuition-free.