Why Pay Tuition in the midst of Remote Learning

Many schools in the nation have a difficult question to answer: to open in-person classes or not to open. For public schools, this is the beginning and end of their questions. For private schools, we have this same questions, but hovering above us is the question our families must answer: is there value in paying tuition if my child cannot attend classes in-person?

I cannot speak on behalf of what other private schools have accomplished, but I can share why 100% of our families who planned to attend in the fall pre-pandemic are still attending (and paying tuition) post-pandemic. 

First, we held the parent and student to the same standard of excellence with grace that we provide with face-to-face instruction. The students who attended their Zoom meetings and completed their assignment, continued to learn - and learned well. Though we relaxed Late Work policies, we did not loosen our grading standards. The integrity of each child’s grades stayed firmly in relation to their understanding and work ethic, just as it always has.

Second, a purpose, though sometimes unstated, at Legacy is our ability to hold each other accountable - most often in regards to student learning and engagement, but sometimes we talk each other out of the closet and back into the school room. Please don’t underestimate the necessity for this portion of our relationship.

Third, during the quarantine, our teachers made themselves even more available. When my daughter made a 0 on an Algebra test, her teacher called me and we set up one-on-one Zooms. The very next week she scored a 50%. This is a huge accomplishment! Her teacher continued to tutor her for an hour a week so she understands the concepts. She passed her final exam with an 81! This is my story. Many of our parents have similar stories! At Legacy, parents (aka co-teachers) have immediate access to a specialist and experienced individual who has followed God’s calling into teaching. It boosts our confidence as parents to know we have access to qualified instructors. One phone call and you have all their knowledge, experience and compassion to solve any problems you may experience at home. Legacy’s teachers are dedicated to both your child’s education and your family.

Fourth, our children did their school work. We are confident they are all ready for the next grade at Legacy. For families who choose to solely homeschool, it will be easy for them to continue where we left off. However, if any of our families move to another private or public school, your child will repeat much of this Spring semester's material in the fall. Some private and public schools were only required to complete one assignment per class per week. One assignment per week will not indicate mastery of concepts such as physics or literary devices or spelling or reading. TEA is looking at rewriting the STAAR test and the End-of-Course high school exams so students will be more likely to pass. This is a fair thing to do. You can’t test on something you haven’t learned. But it confirms that, for instance, fifth graders in the fall will be taught the spring 4th grade TEKS. 

Even in the midst of remote learning, at Legacy, your child will continue to learn in a loving environment filled with dedicated teachers and other parents who will cry with you when life gets “too heavy”. We continue to bear one another’s burdens thus fulfilling God’s calling. We continue to pray for one another. We continue to strengthen one another and assist one another in the mandate to train our children in the way they should go.

The format and delivery method may changed. Our mission does not.