Frequently Asked Questions
1
ACTS Offerings
What grade levels are available at ACTS?
ACTS offers:
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Kindergarten and Grammar 1
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Grammar 2 - Grammar 6 - equivalent of 2nd through 6th grades
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Dialectic 1 - Dialectic 2 - equivalent of 7th though 8th grades
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À la Carte- equivalent to high school grades
How often does ACTS meet?
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Kindergarten though À la Carte meet two days per week, Mondays and Thursdays, from 8am-12pm.
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Upper Level Science classes meet early at 7:30am one day a week to allow time for lab experiments.
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Upper Level classes may also meet from 12pm - 1pm depending on the class schedule for the year.
How long does ACTS meet for the acadmic year?
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Classes begin the week before Labor Day and continue twice per week until mid-May. ACTS meets for a total of 32 weeks. There are scheduled breaks for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.
What subjects are taught at ACTS?
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Core subjects for Grammar 2 - Dialectic 2 are: Science, Grammar, Composition, History, and Latin.
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Latin begins in Grammar 3 and Deductive Logic begins in Dialectic 2
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À la Carte class offerings vary per year but include: American Literature, British Literature, US History, American Government and Economics, Speech, Chemistry, Biology, and Inductive Logic
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What is the difference between a "co-op" and a "tutorial"?
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ACTS is different from a co-op but also has many cooperative aspects. ACTS hires and pays its staff whereas the structure of a co-op often has parents responsible for the total operation. ACTS relies on its parents to fulfill vital volunteer roles which support the tutors and Admin Team.
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Is ACTS an Umbrella Organization?
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ACTS is not an umbrella organization. Parents are responsible for registering with the Board of Education in their home county, selecting their umbrella organization, and maintaining records to show 'regular and thorough instruction.'
2
Classical Education and Latin
What is Classical Education?
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The Classical Education model structures learning to the developmental stages of children. There are three levels, Grammar, Dialectic (or Logic) and Rhetoric. A more comprehensive explanation can be found by reading this booklet: Introduction to Classical Education
Why study Latin?
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A multitude of reasons! Among them, developing expanded language abilities, learning attention to detail and supporting both math and logic reasoning for the future. This brief article explains these ideas in more detail.
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We are transferring from a different educational environment. How can ACTS work with us?
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Incoming students are assessed which helps determine where a student will thrive at ACTS. Based on the assessment, the administrator and tutors can develop a plan to bring students up to grade level through summer work or through a mutually agreeable plan. This will be presented to the parents during the Family Interview and discussed in detail at that time.
My children have no Latin background. How can ACTS help them get up to grade level?
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After determining a student's grammar background, the Latin tutor designs a program to be done at home over the summer. Part of this program may include meeting with a tutor during the summer to learn the concepts.
3
ACTS and the Family
What does ACTS provide for enrolled families and their children?
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Detailed weekly lesson plans outlining what is done on ACTS days & work to be completed at home
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Tutors who are knowledgeable in their subject matter
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Small tutor to student ratios
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A community of families who seek opportunities for gathering together
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Field trips to a variety of places (some are open to the ACTS community, others are limited to a particular class)
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A Board committed to fostering a welcoming and encouraging atmosphere of learning
What are the responsibilities of an ACTS parent during the school year?
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School your child at home in accordance with COMAR
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Ensure your child has completed work assigned on lesson plans and is prepared for ACTS class days
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Serve as a Parent of the Day (POTD) at least three times each year
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Volunteer on one of the teams that support various activities such as Community Events, Open House, or the End of Year Showcase