Requesting Curriculum, Instructional Materials, and Services
Every Homestudy student is allocated an Instructional Fund Budget that can be spent on the student’s specific learning needs, under the approval of their teacher and in adherence with ordering guidelines. Instructional Funds are paid directly to The Cottonwood School-approved curriculum vendors and service providers.
Each Homestudy student has access to an Instructional Fund Budget* of
- $2,600 for TK (transitional kindergarten)
- $3,000 for grades K–8
- $3,400 for grades 9–12
(There are two funding periods in a school year. Funds are pro-rated for students who enroll after the first day of school.)
We regularly review ordering needs and trends and update our Ordering Guidelines as needed. We will provide updates and clarification here on the Nest, in line with our ongoing commitment to transparency and exceptional service. All updates are reflected in the Ordering Guidelines 25-26.
Additions
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Daily tickets: Ordered up to 3 months in advance of the event date
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Label Makers: Up to $75 with a note in the comments regarding educational use
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3D Printers: Up to $300 (check Lending Library first)
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Yoto Cards: No limit to the number of cards or age for purchasing
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Sewing Machines: Up to $250
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LEGO orders must have a lesson plan
- In general, year-long subscriptions must be ordered by our October deadline. However, Core Academic Subscriptions may be ordered mid-year. These include, but are not limited to, all TCS Catalog subscriptions, Reading Eggs/Math Seeds, Teaching Textbooks, Singapore Math Live, Beast Academy, ABC Mouse, and Studies Weekly.
Restrictions – Unapprovable items:
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Lip gloss and perfume kits
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Carving and building tools
Ordering Guidelines
What you need to know
Ordering Instructions
How to use Procurify
Community Partners
Service vendors
Tech Catalog
Available hardware & software
Lending Library
Borrow, don’t buy
Product Vendor Catalog
Curriculum & Educational Products
Frequently Asked Questions
What are examples of things I can purchase with instructional funds?
– Art supplies connected to enrichment classes or unit lessons in curriculum
– Novels, unit lessons, reading improvement programs, writing improvement, enrichment in literature, etc.
– Course work materials, such as academic textbooks, workbooks, curriculum materials, and learning software via online or CD
– Academic programs (online curriculum, homeschool curriculum, activities, etc.)
– Educational games related to math, science, – English, STEAM, etc. (puzzles, bingo, vocabulary cards, flashcards, etc.)
– Activity kits related to core or extracurricular classes
– Physical Education and sport/athletic items if they are considered non-consumables. Examples include items such as balls, bats, nets, tennis rackets, and jump ropes.
– Rental equipment bundled with an enrichment service (music lessons, sport leagues, etc.)
– School technology equipment (i.e. laptop and printer) from school Tech Catalog
What are examples of things I can't purchase with instructional funds?
– Any religious-based products
– Any furniture, organizational products, storage, personal laptop case/bags, or household items
– Personal items such as uniforms, pads, shoes, cups, or mouthguards
– Any expenses involved in athletic or performing arts competitions including entrance fees or travel fees
– Large items such as bicycles and backyard trampolines
– Household products, yard equipment, clothes, and non-educational toys
Can I use all of my child's instructional funds in one semester?
Funds are deposited into students’ accounts twice each school year. Parents/guardians can spend up to the current account balance at any given time.
Can I be reimbursed for purchases made with my own money?
No, the school cannot reimburse families for purchases made in the past, present, or future. All products/services need to be requested through the Ordering System and the school will order and pay for materials/services.
How will I know if I run out of funds?
You will be able to view your remaining balance when you log into your family’s ordering system account. Please contact your Homeschool Teacher for assistance.
What is the definition of a consumable?
Consumables are items that the student completely uses up while they are enrolled with our school and therefore cannot be used by another student.
What is the definition of a non-consumable?
Non-consumables are items that can be used again by another student.
What are the non-consumable category groups?
All items in the following categories are considered non-consumable and must be returned as school property when you are done with them or when you withdraw from the school:
- Technology, Electronics, and Media (CDs/DVDs)
- Novels, Textbooks and Teacher Manuals
- Science Equipment
- Math Manipulatives
- Musical Equipment
- Athletic Equipment
- Games and Puzzles
Can I keep the products?
All items are purchased through the school with state education funds and are considered property of the school. Non-consumables need to be returned to the school office(s) when the student withdraws from the school. They may be returned earlier if the items are no longer needed for student learning.
How do I return non-consumable items to the school?
You may hand the items back to your teacher at any meeting, or at the end of each semester/school year, or to the Lending Library, or our Mobile Lending Library Van.