At IDEA Homeschool, we believe you know your child best.
One of the most popular reasons why Alaska families choose IDEA is for the simple fact that we honor parents to make the decisions that matter when it comes to the academic success of each student. Of course, we are always there when help or guidance is needed, like a safety net, but parents tell us they appreciate that IDEA essentially “steps aside” and only provides as much—or as little support as they require. Whether you have it all figured out or need to lean on your IDEA Contact Teacher for personalized advice, we have your back!
We are proud to partner with families who care so deeply about the education of their children and love that our IDEA support system empowers parents with the tools and techniques to teach the way each child learns best.
What makes IDEA different from other homeschool programs in Alaska?
Our Advantages
Key benefits Alaskan families tell us they enjoy are the variety of resources they can access from across IDEA’s statewide network of Certified Teachers and team of homeschooling parents on staff in 6 major regions of Alaska. They also appreciate the mentoring, sharing, and advice they receive from thousands of experienced homeschoolers within IDEA’s exclusive Facebook parent groups.
MORE EXPERIENCE
For homeschoolers; BY homeschoolers — IDEA staff have more combined homeschool experience than any other homeschool program. Who better to partner with than like-minded individuals whose utmost goal is to support YOU?
more technology
Technology is important, and IDEA is the only homeschool program in Alaska that has a full time computer tech in each of our offices. No need to make a call halfway around the world to get help with your computer, IT support is readily available.
more Choices
Many other homeschool programs in Alaska make restrictions, limiting the types of books and other curricula you can use. Not IDEA. Families enrolled in IDEA have freedom to select tailored curricular options and teaching resources. YOU get to choose!
more clubs + events
Being a part of the biggest homeschool program has awesome benefits; IDEA has more clubs and groups than any other homeschool in Alaska! Opt in for fun events like Battle of the Books, Academic Decathlon or STEAM Workshops. Choose from regular get-togethers like Chess Club, Lego Robotics Teams, kids’ sewing clubs and more!
more support
IDEA is the ONLY homeschool program with a field rep in each of our offices whose job is specifically to serve you! Because all of our field reps are long-time homeschoolers, they are an integral part of our support system to you. Collectively they bring 100+ yrs of homeschool experience and their only job is to support your homeschooling journey.
more allotment
An allotment is money set aside for your child’s educational needs. For the 24-25 school year, families now get $2,700 for grades K-12! Use funds to buy curriculum, technology, activities or services like classes or private tutoring. Using our FAST ordering system, you’ll have no out-of-pocket cost & materials shipped to your door.
Testimonials
Don’t take our word for it. Here’s what Alaska homeschooling families have to say:
They’re like FAMILY!
“It’s just an AMAZING group of people… I don’t know where they get them, but they are LIKE FAMILY!”
Karen Jones
IDEA Parent, Mat-Su Region
Curriculum FREEDOM
“…being able to match how my son learns, but also how my wife teaches IS INVALUABLE!”
Robert Moore
IDEA Parent, Anchorage Region
INDIVIDUALIZED learning
“I love that IDEA gives me the opportunity to educate each one of my children — according to THEIR learning style.”
Lucas & Jennifer Barnland
IDEA Parents, Anchorage Region
By Homeschoolers, For Homeschoolers
We believe strongly that IDEA offers the best homeschool support available in Alaska, for three primary reasons:
Experience
IDEA’s unique statewide K-12 Alaska homeschool program has been in existence since 1997, when distance education programs were a “school in a box,” with districts providing cookie-cutter curriculum to all students by grade level, and assessing achievement via mailed-in papers. IDEA was the first to develop a true “homeschool support program” in Alaska, changing the face of “correspondence programs” forever. We were the first to develop the policies, procedures, relationships with curricular vendors, and many other unique educational resources you won’t find elsewhere.
Every aspect of IDEA was developed around a homeschooler’s needs.
Parent Support
We believe no one is more dedicated to a child than their parents and we feel that education is best achieved when tailored to a child’s personality. IDEA was the first in Alaska to offer a program catering to parents, treating them with respect and allowing freedom of methods and flexible curriculum to teach the way each child learns. For this reason, IDEA’s unique program caught on with families immediately and sky-rocketed to become the leading statewide homeschool!
Today, as we celebrate 28 years of Homeschooling Brilliance, IDEA is still the LARGEST homeschool program in Alaska (although many similar programs have tried to imitate what we do).
We’re homeschoolers, too!
We are the only program created from the ground up, from the very first day of inception — by homeschoolers, for homeschoolers. No other facet or feature of IDEA speaks louder than the fact that homeschoolers have had an influential voice in every program component. Additionally, our statewide lead and six regional Field Reps have a combined 100+ years experience in homeschooling their own children.
We believe in a strong avenue of communication with parents, engaged Parent Advisory Committees, and consistently seeking input to advance our statewide K-12 homeschool program to meet the ever-evolving needs of Alaskan families.
Join IDEA! It’s easy to enroll online!
Statewide Team
If you have general questions about IDEA or enrolling, feel free to contact one of our local Field Reps (homeschooling parents on staff with IDEA). We also invite you to book an appointment using our online scheduler!
Suzi Aldridge
Kenai & Kodiak-Area
Emma Deats
Juneau/Southeast-Area
Janina Fuller
Mat-Su Valley-Area
Sally Javier
Anchorage-Area
Jacintha Mezzetti
Eagle River/JBER-Area (+ Outlying Regions)
Jen Schutte
Fairbanks-Area
Latest IDEA News
A few of the many shining moments of #HomeschoolingBrilliance
Get in touch!
Now enrolling!
Speak with a Field Rep
Whether you’re new to homeschooling or looking for a better option for your child’s education, our friendly staff will be happy to walk you through what it’s like to enroll with IDEA–or simply answer all your questions!
Anchorage: Sally Javier, 907-333-2255
Eagle River: Jacintha Mezzetti, 907-531-2062
Fairbanks: Jen Schutte, 907-456-1368
Kenai: Suzi Aldridge, 907-260-7555
Mat-Su: Janina Fuller, 907-318-6641
Southeast AK: Emma Deats, 907-790-4755
General questions?
#HomeschoolingBrilliance