Welcome to the Most Personalized Homeschooling Program
I appreciate your interest in Coastal Academy. My name is Marcy Cashin, and as your principal, I welcome you to our school. Coastal Academy is a dynamic, tuition-free public charter school serving grades TK-8. Serving North San Diego families since 2003, Coastal Academy is passionate about providing the best education possible for students to become successful thinkers, communicators, and achievers. We achieve this by offering rigorous and flexible academic programs that collaborate with parents in their mission to educate their children. Our school provides a nurturing environment that is committed to high academic standards and strong moral character.
I look forward to getting to know you and your students!
Coastal Academy is part of The Classical Academies organization, an organization of successful California public charter schools that maintain a commitment to excellence through their partnership with parents. Coastal Academy offers personalized attention and opportunities for each student to maximize their potential by creating a learning environment that prepares them for a lifetime of learning and exploration. With flexible educational options available, Coastal Academy challenges and motivates students to learn in the style and manner that best meets their individual needs.
Marcy Cashin
Principal
Program Overview
Coastal Academy offers a flexible academic program that allows students to excel at their own pace. Students are encouraged to master the essential standards in an environment that encourages meaningful intellectual stimulation. Each year, academics are divided into six “units,” which are lesson plans packaged into six or seven-week increments. Credentialed teachers write these units to provide instruction based on the standards, with goals to address the core curricular areas of language arts, writing, literature, math, science, and history. Each unit is designed specifically for Coastal Academy parents and facilitates home teaching.
Supplemental lessons are also provided in character education, and often ties are made with art and music. Unit lessons are posted on Schoology one week prior to the instruction beginning, allowing parents sufficient time to plan and prepare for the upcoming unit of study.
Coastal Academy supports students in obtaining mastery of the California content standards. Lessons are adaptable and allow for teacher and parent preferences in personalizing learning to meet each child’s unique needs. Parents receive prepared lesson plans, answer keys, and accompanying books and resources to teach home lessons. Parent training and support are available throughout the school year. Student work is assigned by credentialed teachers and reviewed at parent-teacher conferences, which are held approximately every six weeks.
Program Options
A Track (K-6) meets on campus Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 am-2:30 pm. Workshop classes are limited to 20 students per class, and students learn language arts, math, science, music, and art. Students also have traditional recess and lunch breaks. While at home on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, students complete assignments in language arts, literature, math, and history. Students follow the school curriculum and work alongside a supervising adult on non-workshop class days.
B Track (K-6) is identical to A Track. However, students attend workshop classes on Wednesdays and Fridays. Students in Tracks A and B must participate in scheduled parent-teacher conferences at the end of every unit to assess student work.
C Track (TK-8) This track is for families who would like more flexibility in their curriculum selection. Students work at home five days per week with the option of enrolling in C’lectives classes. Students are accountable to a credentialed teacher or Educational Specialist (ES). Parents communicate weekly with their ES via email, phone, or in person. Scheduled parent/teacher conferences are required after the completion of each unit to assess student work and learning.
C’lectives are supplemental on-campus classes for students enrolled in C Track; TK–8th grade. C’lectives provide C Track students with classroom interaction and friendship-building opportunities. Credentialed teachers work with 25 students or fewer to develop critical thinking skills in core classes, such as history, science, math, writing, and reading. Elective classes such as Art, PE, Music, Spanish, Cooking, Computers, and STEAM are also offered. Students may enroll in classes that meet Monday and Friday at the Coastal Academy campus. C’lective classes are a year-long commitment with sign-ups in late spring through summer for the following school year.
M Track (7-8) is a middle school program for 7th and 8th-grade students. Students attend workshop classes three days a week, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, to better prepare academically and socially for high school. Students receive three full days per week of instruction in math, language arts, science, history, music, art, and STEAM from credentialed teachers. Mondays and Fridays are non-workshop class days, during which students follow the school curriculum and work from home under the supervision of an adult.
Student Activities
Associated Student Body (ASB)
ASB is open to 7th and 8th-grade students at Coastal Academy. Students develop their leadership skills through mentorship and service, as well as by electing their officers, planning and directing school events, and managing fundraisers and community service projects. There are numerous opportunities for students to identify an area of interest and serve on a corresponding committee, allowing them to pursue their passion. ASB supports the students, families, and the Coastal Academy community through its service. Interested students are welcome to apply, participate in an interview, and provide references for consideration.
Art
Coastal Academy’s art program is designed to build a strong foundation in the visual arts and inspire and encourage children in various media. Students in grades K-8 study various artists, art history, and art movements, and learn how to incorporate design elements and principles into works of art. Projects are aligned with California State Visual Arts Standards and provide students with a well-rounded and thorough experience in the visual arts. Projects begin with an introduction to a particular artist, technique, or art movement. Each student explores the elements and principles of design pertinent to the project, learns art terms, discusses works of art, and has studio time to create masterpieces. Each spring, Coastal students in our A, B, M, and C’lectives art classes are celebrated with a community art show where their artwork is displayed along with other exciting activities. Be on the lookout for information regarding our amazing art show each spring!
Musical Theater
Coastal Academy produces a full-scale junior musical theater production annually. Students in grades 5-8 bring their best acting, singing, and dancing to the stage, complete with sets, props, costumes, and music. Musical Theater is an extra-curricular program, and productions are held each spring. Past productions have included Seussical the Musical, Honk Jr., The King and I, Alice in Wonderland Jr., Mulan Jr., Fiddler On The Roof Jr., The Little Mermaid Jr., The Music Man Jr., The Lion King Jr., Beauty and the Beast, Princess Whatsername, and Matilda.
Field Trips
Coastal Academy plans field trips for students and their families to attend during each unit. Field trip opportunities might include Legoland’s educational programs, a visit to a museum, the zoo, or another educational excursion. All school field trips are designed to be family-friendly, meaning the entire family is welcome to attend unless otherwise stated. Parents are responsible for their children at all school field trips and events. Students in grades 4-8 also have the opportunity to take educational and enriching overnight class trips, including Sacramento/San Francisco, Pathfinder Ranch, AstroCamp, Catalina Island, and the East Coast.
Special Education
The Coastal Academy Special Education Department ensures that children with disabilities receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). We collaborate with families, students, teachers, and other professionals to foster student success through personalized learning and support. Coastal Academy is dedicated to meeting the diverse needs of all students. Our school believes that the Least Restrictive Environment consists of a combination of homeschooling and a classroom setting for all students.
Supplemental aids and services are provided to students according to their individual needs. Students who are found eligible for special education support and services are provided a comprehensive range of services as specified in their Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Coastal Academy’s Special Education program includes various services for eligible students under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Coastal Academy believes in a team approach that involves the student, parent, general education teacher, special education teacher, and any other instrumental team members. This team collaborates to develop and implement a plan that promotes student success.
Conferences
Teachers meet with students and parents at the end of each unit of study every six weeks. Teachers collect work samples and reading logs, review student work, answer questions, and discuss student progress at these conferences. Teachers support parents with communication and collaboration as partners in the educational process. Conferences are an opportunity to review learning objectives, ask questions, and ensure students are on track with their learning goals.