Scotts Valley offers independent study options

There is no support program for home schooling in the Scotts Valley Unified School District, but it does enroll a small number of kindergarten-eighth grade students in its Independent Study program.
The district’s Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, Michelle Stewart, said K-8 students can participate while enrolled in regular school classes. The cost is covered by public school funds.
The students likely to be enrolled in this program are ones that may be ahead in their academics, or whose parents may want more education for them, or who are into professional sports (such as gymnastics, judo, cycling or swimming), and may therefore miss some regular class time. An average number of 30 students per year enroll in the program, she said.
Credentialed teacher Patricia Dyc-O’Neal is in charge of the Independent Study/Home School K-8 program. She uses the K-8 Common Core standard curriculum.
“The program is highly individualized for each of the students,” according to Dyc-O’Neal, “We really bend over backwards to meet the needs of the individual child.”
Dyc-O’Neal has taught for 10 years in public schools, primarily fifth and sixth grades. She is an expert in specializing a unique program for each student in Independent Study/Home School K-8 and in training parents to teach their kids.
Using the program, the student studies at home and meets with a certificated teacher on-site once a week for 1-2 hours.
Younger children are accompanied by the parents but older children usually feel comfortable without mom or dad being present. 
Students always have on-line access to the teacher. If the student’s textbook does not work for a particular student, the teacher can help him/her select another textbook.