Areas explained:
New student and family things to know
Registration, Acceptance, and Pricing
Class Schedule
Operation
Expectations
Teachers

For questions not answered here, please refer to the homepage tabs for more complete information. If you still have questions contact the Network Administrator at 707-8846.


New student and family things to know

Who do I call if my child is sick?
Call the Network Administrator. The Network cell phone number is 707-8846. It is the STUDENT’S responsibility to contact the teacher to get missed assignments.

Do I have to wear my t-shirt or sweatshirt every Monday?
YES! There will be no exceptions from the first day of Network to the last day of Network.

What is for lunch?
There is a menu tab on the homepage that gives the lunch schedule as well as the price per restaurant.

Check with the hall monitor and put in your order in the morning when you arrive. You may also bring your own lunch. Lunch is eaten in the gym from 12:30 to 1:00 p.m.

What books or textbooks do I need?
Check the website. Look under the Class tab. Click on the underlined class name.

How do we get to Grace Church?
Grace Church is located at 4200 E 25th St., Des Moines, IA 50317.

Can parents visit the Network?
Yes. Check in with the hall monitor in the gym.

Can friends visit the Network?
No.

Who do I send my check to? Who do I send my tuition check to?
Mail checks to the Treasurer.

Dan Mahlum
20442 Old HWY 6
Adel, IA 50003.

How do we find out if Network is cancelled due to inclement weather?

The Network may cancel or delay classes due to bad weather. Notification will be given on TV’s KCCI (listed as “The Network-Des Moines” which will appear in the t’s alphabetically) and an email will be sent to all students and staff. If your local school district doesn't have school, then you will be excused if you can not make it into the Network. Teachers will assign homework via email for the week. Families pay tuition for snow days. On some occasions, the Network may employ a late start schedule. Classes will begin at 10:00am with 2nd and 3rd period classes beginning at 10:50am and 11:40am respectively. Lunch and afternoon classes will resume at their regular times. If classes are delayed, continue to watch the school notifications, because classes may end up being canceled altogether. (Late starts and cancellation will be made by 7:00am)

If you are outside the metro and school has been cancelled in your area due to bad weather, call the Network Administrator on the Network cell phone (707-8846) and you will be excused for the day.

Contact teachers for your assignments.


Where do I go when I'm not in class?
All students must stay in the gym when not in class.

May students leave the building (Grace Church) during the Network day?
ONLY if we have the parents’ WRITTEN permission AND the student has at least 1 ½ hours break before their next class.


Registration, Acceptance, and Pricing

What is the application process for a student to the Network?
If you are a returning student, simply use your username and password from this year to sign up for next year.

If you are a new student, read through all the documents about the Network that are available on the left hand side of the home page. These documents will be included in the registration. Many of them require parents/family agreement.

If you are a new student and want to register, first register your family by setting up an account, log on to register with the username and password you selected and follow the steps to apply.

Your registration is complete once you have completed the online registration and paid the registration fee. We must receive your check within 2 weeks to reserve your spot in the class selection.

Questions about Registration?
If you have questions about Admissions Requirements, please contact the Network Administrator (See Contacts page).

How will we find out if we are accepted?
Once you have successfully registered, you will receive an e-mail stating your application status is “pending”. Once test scores have been reviewed and registration fee has been received, you will receive an updated e-mail stating your status is now “accepted”, if approved. If you are not accepted you will receive an e-mail or phone call with a detailed explanation.

What are the costs at the Network?
Registration Fee: $40 per family

Late Registration Fees (PER STUDENT):
  • Before June 10th $0
  • Before June 30th $10
  • Before July 15th $20
  • Before July 31st $30
  • On or before Orientation $50
  • After Orientation $70

Class Tuition: Each class will be charged $64 per quarter ($256 per year). The quarterly billing dates are September 5th, November 5th, January 5th, and March 5th. You will be notified of your bill via email.

Books: Students are required to purchase their own books. Used books will be available at Orientation and the Network website during the summer. Website searches can also be used to locate books.

T-shirt/Sweatshirt: Each student is required to purchase and wear a Network t-shirt. Sweatshirts are optional. The Network logo shirt/sweatshirt must be the outer most top worn. Nothing may be worn on top of this top. Purchasing new and used shirts is done during Orientation.

Is the registration fee refundable?
The registration fee is non-refundable. However, the Advisory Council can make exceptions to this policy.

Why does the Network ask for test scores?
The Advisory Council uses these to help in the screening process. This usually applies to new students, the first year. The acceptance criterion consists of the parent's fundamental commitment to the principles of the Network and of indicators that they have been bringing their children up with discipline and instruction. The Network classes provide an opportunity for the focused and disciplined student who desires to sharpen his or her scholarship skills. We expect the applicants:
- to be responsible
- to be considerate
- to be appreciative, thoughtful, and committed
- to want to please the Lord in what they say and do
- to possess diligence and perseverance
- to desire to sharpen academic skills
- to be self-governing

Acceptable test include:
• ITED, ITBS, Stanford Achievement
• ACT, PLAN (pre-ACT)
• SAT, PSAT (pre-SAT)
• Compass Test (taken at DMACC)

Do the students enroll for 1 year or by semesters?
Students enroll for one school year (August-May). However, a few classes last only one semester as indicated by their title.

Do we need to submit test scores or an essay every year?
Not usually. However, some students may be asked to submit scores for subsequent years if the initial test scores are low or the student is on academic probation.

Who do I send my $40 registration check to?
Registration checks should be sent to the Registrar 2 weeks from the completion of your online registration.

MaryEllen Wilcox
12948 Hickory Court
Clive, IA 50325


Class schedule

What day of the week do the students meet with the teacher, and for what time frame?
We meet once a week on Mondays. The duration of each class is about 1 1/2 hours long. Classes are structured so most of the work for the student happens at home. Teachers try to answer as many questions and give as much direction as possible during class time. Most teachers are also available via email.

Network Class Schedule
See the “Classes” tab.

Can the schedule change between registration and start of classes in the fall?
Yes. We keep in consideration such things as class size, teacher and room availability, and subject requests. We try our best in accommodating our students. If the schedule change causes a conflict before classes begin student, the Network will refund the registration fee.

When are classes dropped off the schedule?
Some of the classes that have less than 4 students might need to be dropped. We evaluate the class viability through out the summer. Generally, we do not drop the class until one week before school. We will try to give everyone warning that the class is about to be dropped off the schedule.

Do the students choose what courses they want to take or does everyone do the same thing?
Once a family is accepted into this community, a student is free to take any one or more of the classes offered as time and skill level permits.


Operation

Is the Network a School?
No. The Network is a group of like-minded homeschooling families helping each other equip high schoolers for life. The purpose of the Network is to facilitate the homeschooling process by offering educationally advanced instruction in a Christ-centered environment.

What is the Network?
It is a non-profit business. Its lone purpose is to facilitate the homeschooling community. Therefore, we strive to keep the administrative overhead low to connect the parents with the teachers as efficiently as possible. Therefore, it is very important for this community to follow through on commitments for the whole year as budgets are set based on initial enrollment with very little cushion. The Advisory Council oversees, budgets, and distributes the pool of money drawn from classes as deemed necessary for the operation of the Network.

Can a student carry a cell phone in class?
Students are to turn off their cell phones and keep them in their bags during the day. They are allowed to make calls ONLY during a break in their day IN the lunch room/gym or between the double doors in the front foyer as they wait for their ride. If you need to contact your student during the day due to an emergency, please call The Network cell phone and a message will be given to your student. If a teacher, hall monitor, or other Network staff member sees a student's cell phone outside of these parameters (on or off), that student's name will come before the Advisory Council for possible disciplinary action of a $100 fine or expulsion from the Network.


Expectations

Do the students complete work for the week and then bring assignments for the Network teacher to grade?
The parent will get feedback on the progress and skill level of the student through grades. However, how the teacher comes up with the grade varies. The teacher will test, judge and require enough student work to give a grade for the class. This feed back will be given to the parents at least twice during the year. The goal of the teacher is to help the student gain understanding.

What is the parent involvement?
See “Guidelines for Admission” and “Family Agreement” tabs.


Teachers

How are teachers chosen?
Teachers are screened for maturity in their walk with Christ. They have a passion for their area of expertise with a gift of teaching that subject. They also love learning and they love high school students.

How do teachers apply for the Network?
This is a market driven employment opportunity. If your area of expertise is in demand by the homeschooling community, and you are an effective teacher, and you agree with our statement of faith and purpose statement, please contact the Education Director.