Is the Turning Point Academy a place or is it virtual?

TPA is in a home setting to start (cafe' style). The goal is to keep tuition low. Students will have educational professionals that are personally vested in each of their successes. TPA is affiliated with the NEW College Preparatory Academy using their proven educational model and on-line curriculum. TPA is very confident in the NEW College Preparatory Academy curriculum and is sure that as more schools learn about their proven success it will become a sought after name in education throughout the world.

What does it mean for TPA to be affiliated with NEW College Preparatory Academy?

TPA is honored to provide this academically proven model of education. As owners of ATi, (the largest teacher training organization in the U.S. and growing internationally) we know a good program when we see it. Being affiliated with the NEW College Preparatory Academy we are in a position to offer an extraordinary new approach in education that is growing rapidly throughout the world. We believe the NEW College Preparatory Academy is the most qualified and remarkable educational model out there today. We are joining forces to provide new leaders of positive change in the world. In our affiliation with the NEW College Preparatory Academy we are able to offer families the benefits that NEW College Preparatory Academy has already put into action. They are recognized by the College Board (the SAT professionals) as a secondary diploma granting institution (CEEB Code 440-226) and are listed on the National Roster of Secondary Schools by the Educational Testing Service. In addition, the Defense Department recognizes NEW College Preparatory Academy as a "Tier 1" school and accepts our diploma.

Will you have teachers?

TPA provides a faculty success team for students instead of just one teacher. By having our curriculum on-line, the students will work at each * individuals pace and will have educators, mentors, graders, and motivation and inspiration personally from an education professional during school each day. They will not need to wait for classmates to understand a lesson or catch up before they can move forward in their academic lessons. They will not wait for teacher's instructions or for the class to behave correctly.

How does it differ from homeschooling?

While initially TPA will be in a home setting, it is much more than homeschooling. Students in TPA receive personal attention to guide, teach, motivate and inspire them. Each student is provided a mentor, grader, and all environments filled with motivation and inspiration with peers to work with daily and socialize.

How does TPA differ from traditional schools?

• In typical school settings students are like wallflowers. If they are absent most will not notice or inquire. However, with our smaller group we will all notice and will inquire to see if we can offer support.
• We have a NO Tolerance Policy. TPA does not allow negativity, bullying, inappropriate dress or words.
• We have a Respect Policy. Students must show respect for their peers.
• TPA students work at their individual pace. They will not need to wait for class mates to understand a lesson or catch up before they can move forward in their academic lessons. They will not wait for teacher's instructions or for the class to behave correctly.
• There is no assigned homework. There will be no more late nights and rounding up paperwork in the morning.
• Parents are included as much as they want to be and can drop students off with the security that their child will be treated with respect.

How much homework will they have?

Students may need to catch up at home if they take a vacation or are ill for several school days. They may need to finish something if they set their goals high for a week. They will have some home reading for literature. They will not have assigned homework. They are given enough time and assistance during the week to complete their work and advance quicker than traditional classes because they will not be interrupted or expected to wait for other students to complete a lesson before they can move on.

What about classroom competition?

For those who feel their child strives to be the best in others eyes, TPA will teach them how important it is for them to gain that feeling from within as a positive means to personally grow. They will see their accomplishments by achieving personal goals and reaching for the stars in ways others may never consider. This will be an important part of their self-worth throughout life. They will become "thinkers" with the ability to make positive choices when life provides difficult situations. They will not have a need to compete academically because they will be confident in their advancements.

I wonder about pulling my child out of "the real world" environment.

TPA better prepares its students for the real world by not exposing them to it until they have the tools they need to make positive choices when life provides difficult situations. TPA is very selective in the students enrolled. Our students will be encouraged to grow at their individual pace. Family values will always be considered.

Is the Turning Point Academy a "real" school?

Yes. TPA is a "real" school. It is affiliated with the NEW College Preparatory Academy, Inc. which is recognized by the college board (SAT professionals) as a secondary diploma granting institution (CEEB Code 440-226), and is listed on the National Roster of Secondary Schools by the Educational Testing Service. In addition, the Defense Department recognizes the NEW College Preparatory Academy as a "Tier 1" school and accepts its diploma.

Will colleges accept The Turning Point Academy's NEW College Preparatory Academy diploma?

Yes. NEW College Preparatory Academy graduates have not only been accepted, but many have received scholarships and national honors (including National Merit Scholarships). Colleges that have accepted NEW College Preparatory Academy students include: Austin College,* Baylor University,* Berean College, Collin County Community College,* Dallas Baptist University,* Dallas County Community College,* Excelsior College, Geneva College, Le Tourneau University, Navarro College, North Central Texas College, Pepperdine University,* Southern Methodist University,* Southwestern Assemblies of God Univiversity.* Tarrant County College,* Texas A & M University,* Texas Christian University,* Texas Tech University, United States Air Force Academy,* University of North Texas, University of Texas - Arlington,* University of Texas - Austin, University of Texas - Dallas,* University of Texas - Tyler.
* Indicates students were offered scholarships or received honors

What makes Turning Point Academy's implementation of NEW College Preparatory Academys curriculum different from others?

Many other curriculums have online and PC based programs. However, they generally do not have a curriculum engineered to be streamlined or offer our specialty instructional material:

The NEW Learning Advantage- Read-Study-Test-Write (RSTW) accelerated learning training

• Learning skills integrated and embedded in courses
• Comprehensive College Prep to include SAT Prep
• Individual Mentors
• Opportunity to accelerate and graduate early
• Dual High School-College Credit opportunities
• Other programs may have some of these or have something similar, but we do not know of any that have all of this.

Do my children have to take an entrance exam?

No. The Turning Point Academy with NEW College Preparatory Academy takes students right where they are and provides them with all they need to graduate and receive diplomas. In some cases, students may need to take a Leveling Course - a customized course written specifically for those students to bring them up to speed if their previous courses did not cover all the required subject matter or simply need the extra help.

What is the minimum age to start?

Students can start in the 6th grade, regardless of age, as long as they have demonstrated sufficient responsibility to do this type of program.

How can your Accelerated Learning Program help my student?

Accelerated Learning is a program that engages more parts of the brain and trains the brain to better organize information. Just about everyone can learn these skills and benefit from them. Students will learn to:

• Access information through better and faster learning methods
• Evaluate the information to determine what is important
• Integrate that information with other knowledge the student already posesses
• Organize the information so it is easier to absorb, remember, and recall
• Understand the information as patterns of thoughts and ideas.

What is the Accelerated Learning Program?

The Accelerated Learning Program has three components:

The NEW Learning Advantage- DVD program consisting of the Read-Study-Test-Write (RSTW) learning strategies on DVD.
The NEW Learning Advantage online course with 48 Mentored lessons on how to put the RSTW strategies to practice.
The NEW College Preparatory Academy curriculum, which has the accelerated learning skills embedded right into the course material.
The NEW Learning Advantage
DVD and online components are available to all students regardless if they are enrolled in The NEW College Preparatory Academy. The NEW College Preparatory Academy students receive the NEW Learning Advantage components as part of their overall curriculum package.

Is there a particular start date or can we get started anytime?

TPA and NEW College Preparatory Academy affiliates operate year-round. Students can start at any time. The academic year starts each September 1 and ends the following May 31.

Why is much of the curriculum based on the World Book Encyclopedia?

Articles in the World Book treat subjects better and in more depth than most textbooks. World Book has supplemental material and audio/visual enhancement in many articles. For example, in the article "Music," students can listen to different types of music. In "Orchestra," each of the major instruments can be heard. PLUS - the high-speed access reduces time.

Why is so much based on computers and the internet?

Research that demonstrates that PCs and the internet is where the future of education, particularly college education, is going. In most colleges today, virtually every college has most of their courses on the internet, even the conventional "sit-down" courses. Students going to college today, not only need to be prepared academically and intellectually, but need to be technically competent in using the PC and the internet.

Why the emphasis on laptops verses desktop PCs?

Laptops are portable. Students can take their work with them. However, everything can be done on a desktop PC.

Can my student test out of courses?

Yes. By using the NEW College Preparatory Academy students can receive Credit by Examination based on the courses.

Can students get credit for other things they have done?

Yes. Depending on what they have done, you many get full or partial credit toward diploma requirements. These have to be properly documented and submitted for review. Activities such as karate, ballet, choir, Civil Air Patrol, etc., can be used for PE and elective requirements.

How do I do math courses?

You have several choices. Our preferred math courses come from Omega Math. However, if you prefer another math curriculum, we are flexible enough to accommodate Saxon, Abeka, and other popular home school curriculums. Students can validate math using online resources. They can take standardized math courses available in workbooks, or they can choose from math courses available to home school students.

What about Advanced Placement (AP) Courses?

Instead of Advanced Placement, TPA uses College Level Examination Program (CLEP), which, in many cases, provides more credit and has more courses accepted by more colleges. CLEP exams also cost less and are available year-round.

What if I am happy with the curriculum I've been using? Can my student still be part of NEW College Preparatory Academy?

The curriculum is only one part of what NEW College Preparatory Academy offers. Families who use other curriculum can be part of our Umbrella School - where we provide records, transcripts, and diplomas. In addition, NEW College Preparatory Academy provides the following programs for students who use another curriculum and even public and private school students. Most of these are available as DVD programs and online Mentored programs:

The NEW Learning Advantage - Read-Study-Test-Write Advanced Accelerated Learning Skills
The NEW American Solution to the SAT - Comprehensive SAT prep
NEW College Solutions- Comprehensive College Selection, Application, Financing, and Enrollment preparation
Earning College Credit - Mentored program with online resources to prepare to take CLEP and DANTES exams for college credit.
What if I want to do take a few courses from other sources but still remain under NEW College Preparatory Academy?
NEW College Preparatory Academy is very flexible. If you want to substitute another course instead of a NEW College Preparatory Academy course, you can. Just arrange it with the student's Mentor so the credit can be posted to the transcripts.

What is the block schedule and why do you use it?

The block schedule is where the student focuses on 2-3 core courses at a time, concentrating more daily time on each course, but completing the course in fewer weeks. We have found this to be better and faster for students just because there is more time on task. Many colleges have gone to the block schedule because they have found it to be more efficient and flexible both for the college and for the student.

How are science labs handled?

We can provide a list of recommended labs that can be used at home.

What about PE?

Students can apply just about any physical activity toward PE credit. A log or attendance documentation is sufficient for the award of PE credit. The minimum requirements are 3 hours per week for at least 12 weeks over a semester (Fall, Spring, Summer). Karate classes, ballet, team sports, and even personal fitness with weight lifting, running, cycling, etc., can be applied with proper documentation.

What about foreign languages?

NEW College Preparatory Academy recommends Power-Glide or Rosetta Stone for languages. The student's family arranges these and NEW College Preparatory Academy awards credit with proper documentation. Students who have already mastered a second language can receive credit through validation testing. In addition, language credit can be awarded for Sign Language.

How does TPA and NEW College Preparatory Academy deal with music and fine arts?

Fine arts and elective credit can be awarded for music lessons, art classes, ballet, dance, drama, choir, etc., with proper documentation. The minimum requirements are 3 hours per week for at least 12 weeks over a semester ( Fall, Spring, Summer).

What about vacations and breaks?

TPA and the NEW College Preparatory Academy affiliates and staff takes scheduled breaks during the year, usually around the regular holidays. Families can take breaks and vacations when they wish - just keep your Mentor informed.

I have two children. Do I get a discount for the second child?

Yes. TPA and NEW College Preparatory Academy offers discounts for multiple children from the same family.

Does TPA and NEW College Preparatory Academy have a graduation ceremony?

Yes. All schools affiliated with NEW College Preparatory Academy may participate in a graduation exercise in the Dallas area. There are other graduations in other locations where there are large NEW College Preparatory Academy populations.

What if my child needs help? What if I need help?

All of our online programs have Mentors and Tutors involved with students. They are available to students and parents by email or telephone. Individual Mentors will have standard contact times and contact protocols.

Can my student earn college credit?

Yes. Through NEW College Preparatory Academy we offer a Dual-Credit track where ambitious students who have demonstrated college level ability can take college courses or prepare for CLEP and DANTES exams for college credit.

How do you prepare students for the SAT?

Using NEW College Preparatory Academy's comprehensive program to prepare students for the SAT that includes these products:

• Introduction to the SAT (available on DVD)
• Test-Taking-Techniques for Math-Reading-Writing (on DVD)
• SAT Solutions Guide - Step-by-Step solutions for each individual question on the SAT (Available via email in Adobe) . and these programs available online:
• SAT Preparation Course (24 Weekly lessons Mentored online)
• SAT Intensive [CRASH Course] (24 Daily lessons Mentored online)

What if my child needs to return to public school in a year, will the block schedule hinder their re-entrance?

To be honest, you may run into problems in the middle of the year. However, we want to make a big point here - we have designed our system to enhance, enrich, and accelerate the education of our students. We do not consider compatibility with public schools to be a factor in how we design and implement our program. Indeed, if the public schools met the needs of the families, we wouldn't be in business.

How many hours a day will my child need to spend on school to complete their daily lessons?

We expect students to apply a minimum of two hours a day to each subject, plus do their novel reading. The average student should carry three subjects at a time, so 6 hours per day would be the norm.

How does TPA prepare my student for college?

Other than the curriculum, TPA uses NEW College Preparatory Academy Advantage, and SAT Prep mentioned in other questions, we have the NEW College Preparatory Academy to College program where we provide specific counseling on college:

• Selection - Scanning information from different colleges to determine which ones meet your wishes.
• Application - Assistance in completing applications and those essays.
• Funding - Assistance in searching for funding sources and preparing financial forms.
• Enrollment - Preparing the student to go to college when a college has been selected. This program is also available to public and private school students.

What happens after my student goes off to college?