FAQ
How does Hillsdale College assist classical schools?
Hillsdale College provides teacher training, a curriculum scope and sequence, and conferences to K-12 schools at no cost. Schools affiliated with Hillsdale College fall into the following categories:
“Curriculum schools” have applied for and received a free license to use the K-12 Program Guide, a scope and sequence for all subjects and grade levels.
“Member schools” work closely with Hillsdale College’s K-12 education team, attend conferences on campus, and have access to additional resources that complement the Program Guide.
“Certified schools” serve as a model of excellence for others interested in Hillsdale’s K-12 education work.
Through our undergraduate and graduate education programs, Hillsdale College prepares future teachers and school leaders for careers in K-12 education.
Through the Hoogland Center for Teacher Excellence, Hillsdale College provides free resources, seminars, and professional development to schools across the country.
Does Hillsdale College charge for its services?
No. Hillsdale College’s advice and curriculum resources are free. The Literacy Essentials curriculum is available for a modest price that covers the cost of printing.
Does Hillsdale College govern, own, or manage its affiliated schools?
With the exception of Hillsdale Academy, a small private school on the Hillsdale College campus, the College does not own, govern, manage, or profit from any affiliated school. Our work is made possible by gifts to Hillsdale College, and affiliated schools incur no financial obligation for receipt of these services.
Where are Hillsdale College-affiliated schools?
Visit “School Locations” page to see where the schools are located.
Through an annual application process, schools apply for membership in Hillsdale’s K-12 Education initiatives. Applications are evaluated for fidelity to the mission, makeup of the founding group, and the local conditions.
Does Hillsdale have an online or homeschool K-12 program?
At this time Hillsdale College does not have an online program K-12 program or a program for homeschooling families. We are currently adapting the K-12 Program for use at home. In the meantime, we have many resources to supplement a homeschool or online program. Please visit k12athome.hillsdale.edu for the latest resources available.
What do students in Hillsdale-affiliated schools study?
Students in Hillsdale-affiliated schools receive a well rounded education in the liberal arts and sciences. For a close look at the curriculum, please check out the “Curriculum Overview” page.
What is a charter school?
Charter schools are public schools of choice—schools that families have the opportunity to select as the best option for their own children.
The first charter schools came into being in the early 1990s; since that time, the vast majority of states have passed laws allowing for the creation of charter schools. In the last three decades, charter schools have grown into a viable alternative to traditional public schools, offering families an opportunity to choose curriculum, educational models, and academic environments that would otherwise be unavailable. Hillsdale College-affiliated charter schools provide an excellent classical education, a rare thing in public education today.
Charter schools are tuition-free, just like traditional public schools. Enrollment in charter schools is open to all students who apply. When enrollment demand exceeds school capacity, charter schools typically select students through a random lottery process.
Can I start a charter school?
Anyone interested in starting a charter school should begin by learning about state and local laws, and how these bear on the possibility of starting a school. While most states and the District of Columbia have laws permitting charter schools, not all of these laws are the same.
As you consider whether or not a new charter school is a viable project in your area, consider the following questions:
- How much funding is available per pupil to charter schools? If this is less than 80% of the funding available to traditional public schools, will you be able to offset or afford the difference without passing the costs to your enrolled families?
- How much flexibility do charter schools have in hiring teachers and administrators? How much flexibility do charter schools have in paying them?
- What charter authorizers are available? Are any of them interested in or sympathetic to your mission, vision, and potential school population?
- What are your state’s curriculum standards, and how will these influence your ability to select curriculum?
For more information about founding a school with training from Hillsdale College, visit “Founding a Hillsdale Classical School.”
Schools and school-founding efforts seeking to become Hillsdale College Member Schools or Curriculum Schools should address their inquiries to [email protected]
How do schools recruit classical teachers?
Hillsdale Member Schools seek the best teachers who are masters of their subject matter, enthusiastic, and eager to serve K-12 students. If a state requires certification for charter school teachers, then Hillsdale-affiliated charter schools comply with those regulations.
New teachers are often recent college graduates with sound learning from schools like Hillsdale College, adult professionals making a mid-life career change, and those already working in public and private schools who embrace classical education.
Interested in becoming a teacher in a Hillsdale Member school? Check out the “Career Opportunities” page.