We know choosing classes—and managing your child’s learning—comes with a lot of questions. This page is here to give you clear, practical answers so you know exactly what to expect, how to succeed in our program, and how to get support when you need it.
🔎 Jump to what you need:
- 🎓 Enrollment & Getting Started
- 💻 How Classes Work
- 📅 Attendance & Expectations
- 🧑🤝🧑 Parent & Student Responsibilities
- 💳 Tuition, Payments & Refunds
- 🔐 Safety & Privacy
- 💻 Technology Requirements
- ❓ General Questions
- 📬 Contact & Support
⭐ Start Here: Most Common Questions
No—Aim Academy Online supports your homeschool or hybrid program. You remain the primary educator, and we partner with you to provide high-quality instruction and support.
We understand that absences happen. Please let us know as soon as possible. While live participation is important, we’ll work with families when occasional conflicts come up. Students can stay on track by watching the live class recordings and keeping up with assignments and class pacing.
Live participation is strongly recommended for the best experience. However, some classes offer asynchronous options for students who cannot regulary attend live sessions.
Students tend to thrive when they:
- Attend class consistently
- Participate in discussions
- Turn in work on time
- Have parent support for staying on track
Students should have:
- A laptop or desktop computer
- Reliable internet
- Headphones with a microphone
- Review our Tech & Success Tips page for more detailed information.
You can always reach us at office[at]aimacademy.online. We typically respond within one business day.
🎓 Enrollment & Getting Started
- Returning Families: Early access typically begins the last week of February.
- New Families: General registration usually opens on March 1.
Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered! You can start by checking out this page. Then, before classes start, we provide a “Welcome Orientation” to help you and your student navigate Canvas, test your tech, and feel confident before the first bell rings.
Start by reviewing our Start Here page. Enrollment begins with selecting your course and completing registration. If a class requires placement or approval, follow those steps before enrolling.
- Step 1: Choose your classes. Browse our Class Schedule or Course Catalog. Check the “More Info” tab, follow placement or application instructions, and contact the teacher with any questions before registering.
- Step 2: Register one student at a time. Add as many courses as you want for one student. For a second child, please start a new, separate registration.
- Step 3: Complete the checkout process. You will receive an email from the registrar within 48 business hours with account setup instructions. Check your spam folder if you don’t see the emails.
We encourage families to:
- Carefully review course descriptions
- Check schedules (all times are Eastern)
- Complete any placement steps if required
Choosing the right level helps ensure your child has a positive and successful experience.
We want your student to be in the right spot! If you need to make a change, here is how the math works out:
- Before classes start: * Same teacher? If you’re swapping to a class of the same length (e.g., one full-year class to another) with the same teacher, the transfer is free!
- Different teacher? There is a $50 change fee.
- Price differences: If the new class costs more, you’ll just need to pay the difference.
- Note: This only applies to “like-for-like” swaps (Full Year to Full Year). If you’re switching from a Full Year course to a Mini or Semester course, our standard refund policy kicks in instead.
- After classes begin (During the Add/Drop period before Oct 1):
- There is a $50 change fee.
- We will apply 80% of your original tuition as credit toward the new class. You’ll just need to cover the change fee and any price difference before the move is official.
- After October 1st:
- At this point in the year, all changes fall under our standard refund policy.
Have a specific move in mind? It’s always best to reach out to us early so we can help you find the best fit for your student!
Possibly! If your student is slightly younger or older than the recommended grade but is academically ready, email the teacher or our support team to discuss if it’s a good fit.
💻 How Classes Work
Classes are live, interactive, and led by experienced teachers who engage students in real time. Most classes meet live once a week for interactive instruction. The rest of the week, students log into Canvas to complete assignments, participate in discussion boards, and check feedback.
Always! If you miss a live session or just want to review a tough lecture, you can find the recording on the class website within 24 hours.
The “right” amount of time varies for every student, but we want to help you plan your week! Generally, the time commitment depends on the course level and your student’s reading speed. Since our classes focus heavily on critical reading and comprehension, students who read quickly may finish faster, while those still building those skills may need a bit more time.
Here is a general “rule of thumb” for weekly homework (per class):
| Course Level | Estimated Weekly Homework |
| Middle School | 3 – 4 hours |
| High School | 4 – 6 hours |
| Honors Level | 5 – 7 hours |
| AP Courses | 8 – 10 hours |
A Note on Success
If your student is spending significantly more time than what is listed above, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the teacher! We want the workload to be challenging but manageable, and we’re happy to help troubleshoot study habits or reading strategies.
- Life happens. If your student has to miss a class, please let the teacher know. We appreciate a heads-up in advance when possible, but a quick note afterward works too. Every single class is recorded and posted to the class website. These are great for catching up on a missed day or just reviewing a tricky concept.
- Can’t ever make the live session? If your student needs to learn on their own schedule, many of our classes allow students to enroll as asynchronous students. Just get the teacher’s okay first, and make sure your student watches the recording within 5 days so they don’t fall behind.
Some classes offer asynchronous options. These allow students to stay on pace even if they cannot attend live sessions.
We know that when a student is stuck, they need a path forward. Our teachers are deeply committed to being available and responsive:
- Quick Communication: You can expect an email response from your teacher within 48 business hours (though you’ll hear back much sooner in most cases!).
- Face-to-Face Time: Most of our teachers hold weekly office hours or are happy to meet by appointment before or after class to clear up any confusion.
If a student needs a little more “elbow grease” to master a concept, we have built-in systems to help:
- Math & English Labs: Many of our core classes include a weekly homework session or “lab.” These are live, low-pressure environments where students can work through assignments and get immediate help.
- Private Tutoring: For more personalized, one-on-one attention, you can arrange tutoring directly through our website.
- Pro-Tip: Don’t wait until a student is overwhelmed! We encourage parents to reach out the moment a concept feels “fuzzy” so we can help your child stay confident and on track.
Our teachers set their own specific late work policies to prepare students for college expectations. Check your specific syllabus for grace periods or point deductions.
We use trusted educational platforms (such as Canvas) that are specifically selected for student learning and engagement.
We follow a traditional academic calendar to give your family plenty of consistency and well-deserved breaks.
- Kick-off: Most full-year and semester courses begin the third week of August.
- The Finish Line: Classes wrap up between the last week of April and the second week of May.
- Class Hours: Standard courses meet for 32 weeks, while our AP and CLEP prep classes usually meet for 34 weeks to ensure your student is fully ready for exam day.
Our Scheduled Breaks
We build in time for your family to rest and recharge! There are no classes during:
- Thanksgiving Week
- Christmas & New Year’s (3-week Winter Break)
- Early Spring (1-week Spring Break)
📅 Attendance & Expectations
Showing up matters. For our synchronous students, we love seeing you in class! Regular attendance is expected, and many teachers include it as part of the participation grade.
We believe that engagement is the key to learning. Research shows that students who actively participate stay more focused, retain more information, and enjoy their classes more!
To help your student succeed, their participation grade is based on:
- Being Present: Attending live sessions consistently.
- Being Visible: Keeping cameras on during class (it helps teachers “read the room” and connect with students).
- Being Active: Contributing to class discussions and staying on-topic.
- Being Proactive: Turning work in on time and reaching out to the teacher the moment they feel stuck or frustrated.
The “Camera-On” Policy
We expect students to keep their cameras on during live classes. Why? Because from our experience, students with cameras on are far more engaged and less likely to get distracted.
We understand life happens: If there is a legitimate reason your child needs to keep their camera off, please just reach out to the teacher in advance. We are happy to make exceptions for unique circumstances!
We value authentic student voices! While AI can be a helpful tool for brainstorming, all final work must be the student’s own. Specific guidelines vary by teacher, so check your course syllabus for the “AI rules of the road.”
We cannot prevent plagiarism or unauthorized AI-use. Parents are solely responsible for their student’s academic integrity. Teachers will notify parents if they have a concern about the originality of a student’s work. We trust parents will see this concern as in their child’s best interest.
Whether it’s a learning exceptionality or a unique family circumstance (like travel), we want to help. Please reach out to by completing this form before the semester starts so we can coordinate with your teacher.
We encourage families to stay in communication with teachers. Parent support is key to helping students stay on track.
🧑🤝🧑 Parent & Student Responsibilities
Our program works best when everyone plays an active role:
- Monitor progress and assignments
- Support consistent attendance
- Help students stay organized and on schedule
- Supervise student’s academic integrity–please check assignments for plagiarism or unauthorized AI use before the work is submitted. We will support your efforts!
- Participate actively
- Complete assignments on time
- Take increasing ownership of their work (especially older students)
Strong parent involvement is one of the biggest predictors of student success in our program.
The Aim Academy Online Handbook provides a full explanation of our mission, policies, and procedures.
Download a copy of our latest edition here.
💳 Tuition, Payments & Refunds
Before enrolling, please:
- Review the full course description
- Confirm your schedule
- Make sure the class is a good fit
Yes. To keep our high-quality platform running smoothly, we include a one-time $40 administration fee per order.
- What it covers: This fee helps us provide dedicated customer support, secure record-keeping (like your student’s transcripts), and the technology that powers our classrooms.
- One fee per student: Because our system organizes records by individual, a separate order must be placed for each student. The $40 fee applies to the entire order, regardless of how many classes the student is taking.
- Payment Plans: If you choose a payment plan, don’t worry—the fee is charged only once during your initial checkout, not every month!
- The fine print: Please note that this fee is non-refundable and automatically applied to all new orders.
No—registration fees are non-refundable.
- Included: Live instruction, full access to the Canvas classroom, all grading, and direct support from the teacher.
- Not Included: Required textbooks, lab materials, or external exam fees (like AP or CLEP exams).
As a general rule, we don’t—and we want to be transparent about why.
- Valuing our teachers: Our goal is to provide a consistently excellent education. To keep the best teachers, we believe in paying them fairly for their expertise. Discounting their labor would mean risking the quality of the feedback and support your child receives.
- No “padded” pricing: We don’t artificially inflate our prices just so we can offer “sales” later. Instead, we set a flat, honest rate each year that covers the cost of live instruction, weekly grading, and personalized support for every student.
- Quality over gimmicks: If you’re looking for a provider that prioritizes qualified teachers who are deeply invested in your child’s success, you’re in the right place!
Group Rates
While we don’t do individual discounts, we do love supporting learning communities! If you have a group of 4 or more students signing up for the same class or teacher, you can save:
- $50 off per student for full-year courses.
- $30 off per student for semester courses.
Ready to sign up as a group? Just email us at support[at]aimacademy.online, and we’ll get a custom coupon code sent right over to you!
Yes! We want to make our classes accessible, so we offer flexible payment plans based on the course length:
- Full-Year Courses: Spread the cost over 3, 5, or 8 months.
- Semester Courses: Spread the cost over 3 or 5 months.
- Mini-Courses: Spread the cost over 3 months.
A few quick notes on how it works:
- Service Fee: There is a $10/month service charge per class to help us cover processing and administration. If you decide to pay your balance off early, we’ll happily refund the service fees for the remaining months!
- Start Date: Plans begin the moment you register; we can’t delay the start until the first day of class.
- Commitment: By choosing a payment plan, you’re agreeing to complete the full balance even if your student withdraws after the refund deadline.
- For more details, go to our Investing in Your Child’s Education page.
For full-year courses paid in full:
- 80% refund if withdrawn before the course begins (prior to the 3rd Monday of August)
- 60% refund if withdrawn before Week 7 (early October)
- No refunds after that point
For semester or mini-courses paid in full:
- 80% refund before the course begins (prior to the 3rd Monday of August)
- 60% refund before Week 3
- No refunds after that
At Aim Academy, our teachers are paid based on student enrollment. To honor the commitment they make to your children and to stay fair to every family in our community, we cannot offer exceptions to our refund policy. We’re grateful for your understanding!
To request a course change/withdrawal/refund, please use THIS FORM.
Payment plans are a convenience option. By selecting one, you agree to complete the full payment—even if your child withdraws after the refund period.
For students on a payment plan, the following refund policies apply:
- We issue a refund, less 20% of the full scheduled payment, if you withdraw prior to the third Monday in August. (For example, if full payment would have been $600, we return what you have paid, less $120).
- We issue a refund, less 40% of the full scheduled payment, if you withdraw prior to Week 7.
- The same policies apply to mini-courses and semester courses if you withdraw prior to the 3rd week of the course. No refunds after the 1st Monday of Week 3.
- No refunds after October 1
At Aim Academy, our teachers are paid based on student enrollment. To honor the commitment they make to your children and to stay fair to every family in our community, we cannot offer exceptions to our refund policy. We’re grateful for your understanding!
To request a course change/withdrawal/refund, please use THIS FORM.
For charter school students, the following refund policies apply:
- You do not owe anything if you withdraw before class begins. The registration fee is non-refundable.
- You owe 40% of the full scheduled payment if you withdraw before the first Monday of Week 7 in a full-year class, or Week 3 in a semester class or mini-course. You are responsible for any amount your charter does not cover.
- If you withdraw after Week 6 of a full-year course or Week 3 of a semester or mini-course, you are responsible for the full cost of the class.
At Aim Academy, our teachers are paid based on student enrollment. To honor the commitment they make to your children and to stay fair to every family in our community, we cannot offer exceptions to our refund policy. We’re grateful for your understanding!
To request a course change/withdrawal/refund, please use THIS FORM.
Yes—class changes may be possible, though fees and policies apply depending on timing.
🔐 Safety & Privacy
We take student safety and privacy seriously. Here is a full statement on how we do this.
- All teachers and staff have passed background checks
- Student data is securely stored
- Platforms are reviewed for educational use and compliance
Yes. All tools used in our classes are vetted and approved to meet privacy and security standards.
You can check out our approved apps here: AAO Approved EdTech & Third-Party Providers
💻 Technology Requirements
To participate successfully, students should have:
- A laptop or desktop computer (Chromebooks may be limited)
- Reliable high-speed internet
- Headphones with a microphone (recommended to help your student stay focused and minimize background noise during live sessions.
- Access to required platforms (we’ll guide you through setup)
- For more details, see our Tech & Success Tips page.
For the smoothest experience with Canvas and Zoom, we recommend using Google Chrome or Firefox. Safari and Edge usually work, but they can occasionally be “glitchy” with certain classroom features.
We’re happy to help troubleshoot basic issues, but families are responsible for maintaining their devices and internet connection.
❓ General Questions
We keep classes small to ensure students receive individual attention and support. Class size varies from 15 to a maximum of 21 students.
We communicate regularly via email and designated platforms to keep families informed.
We make it easy for you to keep track of your student’s progress both during the year and long after the final bell rings.
Viewing & Printing Grades
- Real-Time Tracking: You can view and print current grades as a PDF directly from your Canvas Parent/Observer account at any time.
- Past Classes: Need to see a grade from last year? Just log into Canvas and go to Courses > All Courses > Past Enrollments.
- Final Reports: Once a course wraps up, your teacher will email a final grade report directly to the parent email we have on file.
Requesting Transcripts: We offer both unofficial and official transcripts, depending on your needs:
- Unofficial Transcripts (Free): You can request one free unofficial transcript per year for your personal records via our [AAO Transcript Request form].
- Official Transcripts ($25): If you need an official record sent to a school or university, we can email it to up to five addresses per request for $25 (use the request link above). If you need a physical copy “snail-mailed,” the fee is also $25 per transcript. [Click here to pay for an official transcript].
- Processing Time: Please allow 5 business days for processing your request. (Rushed requests may be possible for a $50 fee, but we recommend planning ahead!)
Important Academic Dates
- Finality: Grades are considered final 30 days after the term ends and cannot be changed after that point. The school year officially concludes on May 31st.
- The “Add/Drop” Grace Period: If a student withdraws during the initial Add/Drop period, the course will not appear on their transcript.
- After Add/Drop: Once the grace period ends, all enrolled courses will appear on the transcript, including withdrawals or incompletes.
Equivalency exams (like AP or CLEP) are essentially “fast passes” for college. They allow your student to prove they’ve already mastered a subject, potentially saving you thousands in tuition and months of class time.
However, colleges usually reward high scores in one of two ways:
Earning College Credit (The “Gold Standard”)
- What it is: The college gives your student actual credits toward their degree for the class they skipped.
- The Benefit: You don’t have to pay the college for those credit hours! This is the most cost-effective path, as it literally moves the student closer to graduation day.
Advanced Placement (The “Head Start”)
- What it is: The college acknowledges the student knows the material and lets them skip the introductory course, but they don’t award “points” toward the degree.
- The Benefit: Your student gets to jump straight into more interesting, higher-level classes. This can be a huge advantage for students looking to double-major or to start graduate-level coursework while still an undergrad.
Pro Tip for Parents: Every university has its own policy. We always recommend checking the “Registrar” or “Admissions” page of your target colleges to see whether they offer Credit, Placement, or Both for specific AP and CLEP scores.
📬 Contact & Support
Still have questions? We’re here to help.
📧 office[at]aimacademy.online
We aim to respond within 1 business day and will make sure you get the information you need.