Services

Enrichment Classes

Enrichment classes are offered to supplement teaching provided at home and meet once a week for six weeks each quarter. These classes are intended to ignite a spark in the student to enjoy learning and pursue a deeper understanding of the content. Participation in enrichment classes is optional.

2023/2024 School Year

  • Grades K-5 classes meet for two hours once a week. Contact Kathy Geis to sign up for the following K-5 classes:

    • Wednesdays 9:30-11:30 (K/1, 2nd/3rd, 4th/5th)
    • Wednesdays 1:00-3:00 (K/1, 2nd/3rd, 4th/5th) 
    • Thursdays 9:30-11:30 (K/1 ONLY and will only be held if numbers require it) 
    • Thursdays 1:00-3:00 (K/1, 2nd/3rd, 4th/5th)
    • Class SCHEDULE & DESCRIPTIONS
  • Grades 6-12 classes meet Monday afternoons for one hour each. Students may attend up to three classes.  

If you wish to register for the program to gain access to class sign-up, please contact program coordinator Kathy Geis at kathy.geis@ames.k12.ia.us.

Please help us reach you by keeping your contact information up-to-date. Please email hsapregistration@ames.k12.ia.us if you have a change.

Field Trips

The Ames HSAP offers a wide range of interesting field trips for specific age groups as well as the whole family.

Supervising Teacher Assistance

Families enrolled in the Ames HSAP will be assigned a supervising teacher who will support, empower, and encourage them as needed. All fourteen of our teachers have homeschooled their own children and therefore have personal as well as professional experience with homeschooling to draw from to support each family.

The law requires four contacts per quarter. Two of those contacts are required to be face-to-face with the supervising teacher. As an HSAP, we have been granted permission from the state of Iowa for the second face-to-face contact to be met by a field trip or enrichment class if the student is enrolled in one of those. The other two contacts can take the form of a phone call or email.

Resource Library

Families enrolled in the Ames HSAP have access to the HSAP resource library. Literature, as well as a wide range of curricula, are available for loan. The library is open for perusing during enrichment class hours or by arrangement with a supervising teacher.

Assessments

 
Iowa Assessments (IA) are available and completely optional for students in grades 3-12. Sign up for assessments HERE by March 5th.

Here are some considerations when deciding whether or not your family could benefit from your student(s) taking Iowa Assessments.

Testing Schedule:
GROUP A: Week 1 MORNINGS will test Monday, Wednesday, & Thursday, April 29, May 1, & 2, 2024 from 9:30 – 12:00.   (Mostly Grades 6-8)

GROUP B1: Week 1 AFTERNOONS will test Monday, Wednesday, & Thursday,April 29, May 1, & 2, 2024 from 12:30 – 3:00.  (Mostly Grades 3-8 whose schedules need afternoons)

GROUP B2: Week 1 AFTERNOONS will test Monday & Thursday, April 29 and May 2 from 12:30 – 3:00.  (Grades 9-12 have fewer testing minutes than grades 3-8 and only need two days.  An alternate schedule can be made for Grades 9-12 students with schedule conflicts due to dual-enrollment, PSEO classes, etc.)

GROUP C: Week 2 MORNINGS will test Monday, Wednesday, & Thursday, 6, 8, & 9 from 9:00 – 12:00.  (Mostly Grades 3-5)

Make-up Dates: ALL Grades: May 15 or earlier during available testing times.

Remote testing will also be available to all students at similar times and dates.

Here are some test-taking tips to help settle your student’s nerves.