On Who We Are:
Q. What is the Ignatian Method of education? The Ignatian Method of education is based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, which has been developed and refined for over 450 years. The focus of the Ignatian Method is formation, not information. The fundamental goal is to help parents lead their children to the knowledge and love of God. The Method helps the parents train the student’s memory, understanding and will, so that the student can speak, write, and act well in life, for the greater glory of God. This is accomplished through self-activity, mastery of progressively more difficult material, and formation of the will through conscientious application of study habits.
Q. Why choose a classical curriculum? The study of a classical curriculum serves several purposes. It: Focuses on the highest spiritual, literary and artistic achievements of Western civilization, elevating the mind and soul Introduces students to the greatest books in their original sources, not just textbook summaries Integrates the study of different subjects, showing the interrelationships that exist among them Provides a solid grounding in the basics, emphasizing the technique of learning by memorization in the lower grades Improves English by the study of Latin and Greek
The classical curriculum is implemented in phases. We introduce younger students to ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, to begin to build an awareness of God’s preparations for the arrival of the Messiah. We revisit Greece and Rome in high school, along with the Medieval and Modern worlds. In high school, the literature and history courses go hand-in-hand: while reading the Iliad in literature, the student reads Herodotus’ Histories; while reading the Chronicles of the Crusades in history, the student is also reading The Song of Roland in literature. It’s about making connections between literature and history, between ancient and modern, between classical and Christian civilization.
Q. What is the Principle of Subsidiarity? The Principle of Subsidiarity states that nothing should be done by a larger and more complex organization that can be done as well by a smaller and simpler organization (Pope Pius XI’s Quadragesimo Anno). Nowhere has this found greater expression than in the home schooling movement. Kolbe Academy Home School has embraced the principle of subsidiarity by offering an educational program that you implement in your home. We are not a correspondence program. With Kolbe, you are the teacher and are truly in charge of your children’s education. This is in keeping with the dictum of Pope John Paul II that “the parents have been appointed by God Himself as the first and principal educators of their children...their right is completely inalienable” (Familiaris Consortio 40).
Q. You say you are “orthodox”, what does that mean? With Kolbe Academy, there’s no need to worry about so-called “Catholic” resources of questionable orthodoxy. We understand the need to crown an education with theology, the queen of the sciences, as our educational edifice indeed has a lofty aim—heaven itself. All of our religious instruction materials are excellent and faithfully orthodox. Our staff is made up of faithful Catholic, experienced and dedicated individuals, who take the Oath of Fidelity to the Magisterium and sign the Profession of Faith in the Holy Roman Catholic Church.
Q. Is Kolbe Academy Home School accredited? Yes! Kolbe Academy’s Day School and Home School are both fully accredited by NAPCIS, the National Association of Private Catholic and Independent Schools. On the Kolbe Program and How It Works: Q. What is in the Syllabi, Course Plans, and Quarterly Tests? The syllabi set parameters and goals for each course, generally including scope and sequence. Course plans give suggestions (not requirements) for a week’s worth of work, such that a complete course can be finished in a typical school year. Quarterly Tests with answers are keyed to the course plans; these are offerd as samples and can be altered as needed.
Q. How are the Course Plans formatted? You have your choice of either daily or weekly course plans for grades 1-8. We give parents a general framework within which they have the freedom to make the day-to-day decisions for Kindergarten and High School.
Q. Are there course plans for Kindergarten? Yes! Weekly course plans and syllabi are now available for kindergarten. A structured program is not strictly necessary at this age; your educational goals, your child’s development and the laws of your state will determine the amount of structured classroom time your kindergarten program will include. The most important task for parents of children at this age is to teach them obedience and docility; to sit quietly, to watch and listen attentively, and to work diligently. These qualities and skills will not be mastered instantly!
Q. How do I go about adapting the course plans? The Kolbe advisors are available to help parents adapt plans to the particular academic requirements of their students. When registering, you can note on the form any changes you wish to make or you may take an assessment test and then make changes.
Q. What is an Academic Advisor? The advisors at Kolbe are dedicated individuals who have been selected based on their knowledge and practice of the Catholic Faith, academic background, and life experience. They assist you in setting and meeting reasonable and challenging goals, provide a review of the quarterly reports submitted by the family, answer questions about the curriculum, provide high school and pre-college counseling, help parents adapt the curriculum, review assessment tests, develop curriculum and more! Think of us as your teaching consultant and aide!
Q. Can I get the course plans without registering in the full assistance program? Yes! Syllabi, course plans, and quarterly tests are available for most of the courses in the Kolbe Program (for pricing, look under the course in which you are interested).
Q. Do I get advisor assistance if I buy just the course plans without registering? No. However, you may register for individual courses for $50-$135 per course. Please contact the registration or advisor department for more information.
Q. What if I decide to withdraw from the Kolbe full assistance program? If a family must withdraw, the following policies apply: Before your school year begins, the following applies: If withdrawing before any curriculum materials are sent, a full refund will be given. After materials are sent, but within 30 days of registering, a $25 per family processing fee will apply, if all registration materials are returned. Once your school year has begun, the following schedule applies. It is calculated based on the 1st day of the month your school year began: Within 30 days— registration fees are due Within 60 days— registration fees are due Within 90 days— registration fees are due After 90 days—full registration fee is due Course plans and individual course enrollment fees are also non-refundable.
Q. Is there a limit to how many times I can call the advisor? Absolutely not! The advisors are available during Kolbe’s regular business hours, or by email, to discuss any of your questions or to just lend an ear. No question or concern is too small!
Q. What subjects do the Assessment Tests cover? The tests are designed as an end of the year assessment in reading, spelling, grammar and math.
Q. Must I administer an Assessment Test before I begin home schooling? NO! Assessment tests are not required, they are an optional tool for parents who are unsure of their student’s grade level in the above subject areas.
Q. Is there a fee if I choose to administer an assessment test? Assessment tests are free to registered families at any point during their school year. Non-registered families may purchase tests for $25 each. If you subsequently register, we’ll apply the $25 towards your registration. Q. Are there any additional fees for making changes to the curriculum? There are no additional fees for up to four changes per student if you inform us of changes when you register or within the first 60 days of YOUR school year. After the first 60 days, there is a fee of $25 per course. This applies only to families who require additional syllabi, course plans, and tests from Kolbe Academy.
Q. What about selecting curriculum other than that provided by Kolbe Academy? Parents are free to select curriculum from other sources (i.e. Wordly Wise instead of Sadlier Vocabulary, Holt Mathematics instead of Saxon Math, etc.) at no additional cost or limit. However, parents are then also responsible for their own course plans and tests.
Q. What do you mean by YOUR school year? Parents specify the start of their school year on the registration form. Therefore, you choose which month you want to begin your school year.
Q. How long is a registration period? A registration period is a 12 month period based on when you choose to begin schooling.
Q. Of that 12-month period, how many days of school must be recorded on the attendance record? Most states require 180 days of school attendance. Our course plans are based on this premise. To be sure you are fulfilling your own state’s requirements, please check the HSLDA website at www.hslda.org.
Q. Must I join HSLDA, the Home School Legal Defense Association? Although it is not mandatory to join HSLDA, it is strongly encouraged. HSLDA is a national advocacy and lobbying organization for home schooling families. Kolbe families receive an application in the Welcome Packet and will receive a more than 17% discount on the regular rate.
Q. What is a Quarterly Report? A quarterly report is a sampling of the student’s work sent to the advisors by the parent, along with a report card of grades. An advisor reviews the work, verifies the grades assigned, makes comments, and sends a report to the parents. Grades are verified by sending in one sample of work for each grade given.
Q. What kind of sample work and how much should I include in my quarterly report? You may include any work the student has done in that quarter, i.e. the quarterly test, daily work, or a special project. In order for the advisor to verify the grades, there must be at least one sample of graded work per grade assigned, per quarter. (It is not necessary to send in a sample for electives such as music and physical education. A written narrative will suffice.) However, it should be noted that the more “meaty” the work, the more comments the advisor will be able to give.
Q. Will the sample work be returned to me or does Kolbe retain it? No, sample work is not returned and is not retained by Kolbe. We recommend that parents make copies or send in work they don’t want back.
Q. Is quarterly reporting a requirement? Quarterly reporting is a service, not a requirement. However, if no reports at all are filed, or if the required elements are not sent in, Kolbe Academy cannot validate the grades given by the parents on official transcripts or grade records. Q. Is there a deadline on filing quarterly reports? Must I file every quarter? There is no deadline on filing reports and parents may choose to file two semester reports or one year-end report. However, parents are strongly encouraged to file reports once a quarter and in a timely manner for two reasons: 1. This will help parents keep on top of the paper work. Although paper work is minimal, it can seem overwhelming if it is let go too long. 2. Advisor’s comments on the reports will be relevant.
Q. What if I need help grading compostions? Can an advisor help me with this? Following the Principle of Subsidiarity, ALL GRADING IS DONE BY THE PARENTS. However, parents who feel they need help in this area may sign up for the Enhanced Evaluation Service (EES).
Q. How does the Enhanced Evaluation Service work? Parents may sign up for the service by the quarter or for the whole year. If signing up for the whole year, you will receive a 20% discount. If you decide to try it for a quarter and then sign up for the year, the discount still applies. You will be entitled to send in up to 12 items of your choosing per quarter. Assignments will be given a detailed evaluation, a grade will be assigned, and suggestions for weighting. Q. Must my student(s) be registered in Kolbe Academy Home School to sign up for the Enhanced Evaluation Service? Yes.
Q. What if I want my student to make corrections to his paper based on the advisors comments? Great! You can have your student make the corrections and send the paper back to the advisor for a re-evaluation. Re-evaluations will not count as one of the 15 items.
Q. Will the same advisor evaluate all the work I send in? Absolutely! We recognize the need for consistency in evaluating the student’s progress. However, parents are free to ask for a different advisor if they feel the need.
Q. How and when can I send work in for evaluation? You may send work in either by regular mail, fax, or email whenever you want.
Q. What is the cost of the Enhanced Evaluation Service? The cost of the EES is a per student fee.
Grade Level | Quarterly Price | Yearly Price 20% Discount | K-6 | $40 | $128 | 7-8 | $55 | $176 | 9-12 | $70 | $224 |
Q. How do I get a transcript, grade record, or a diploma? Diplomas, grade records, and transcripts are issued upon request. Parents need only contact the advisor office to request grade records or transcripts be sent. Diplomas are issued for 8th and 12th graders upon review of their work. There is a form in the Welcome Packet for parents to send in to request a diploma.
Q. Is there an additional fee for grade records, diplomas or transcripts? There is no additional fee for grade records or diplomas. Before a student graduates from high school or within the first six months after graduating, the first 10 transcripts are free; each additional transcript is $5. More than six months after graduating, transcripts are $5 each.
Q. What is the difference between a grade record and a transcript? A grade record is issued for Kindergarten through 8th grade when parents need official records sent to another school. Transcripts are issued for high schoolers and assign credits and grade point averages to courses.
Q. Does Kolbe Academy keep Cumulative Files for students? Yes, Kolbe establishes a cumulative file for each student upon registration. If a student has attended another school before registering with Kolbe, parents may ask the school to send their records to us. Kolbe Academy has 26 years of experience preparing and safeguarding accurate and complete grade records for its students and families. You can be confident that your important records will be carefully and confidentially maintained for as long as you are registered and for five years after withdrawal. Kolbe's Book Return Policy: Once an order is received, a family has 20 days from receipt of that order to report shortages, damaged or defective books, otherwise the transaction will be considered complete. This does not affect the following 45-day book return policy.
Books can be returned for a full refund within 45 days of purchase, if they are in new condition. Damaged, used or less-than-new books will receive a 30% refund if the book is in good condition, is still used in the core curriculum and can be resold by Kolbe as a used book. Consumable workbooks that are written in, even in pencil and only a few pages, may not be returned for a refund. In order to receive a refund for books that are sold as a set, e.g. Saxon Math, two book study guides, etc., all pieces must be returned. Course plans are NOT returnable regardless of their condition.
When returning used books for a 30% credit, please call to verify the books are still being used in the core curriculum. Kolbe will not give credit nor return to sender books not being used. The sender may pay postage to have such items returned.
Shipping & handling charges are non-refundable and a $2.00 re-stocking fee is charged for each new book returned. The restocking fee is not charged for returned used books. The cost of return mailing is the responsibility of the sender, unless the item being returned was damaged in the original mailing or was sent in error.
If a book is returned for exchange, the request is considered a new book order and is charged shipping & handling, plus a $2.00 restocking fee (unless the exchange is due to an error on our part). Please remember to add the shipping and handling cost to your payment by check or money order. Remember to factor in the restocking fee in your calculations.
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