Homeschool Funding & Charter Schools

UNDERSTANDING HOMESCHOOL FUNDING

What does it mean to use charter funds with us?

Many California homeschool families are enrolled in a charter school program — organizations like Heartwood, Pathways, and Compass — that provide an education specialist, curriculum oversight, and an annual fund families can use for approved educational expenses.

Arrowhead Farm provides tutoring and curriculum support as a third-party enrichment vendor. We are not a school, and children enrolled with us remain connected to — and academically supported through — their charter program. Your education specialist continues to oversee your child’s learning plan; we simply become part of how that plan gets fulfilled.

Once we are approved as a vendor, families with qualifying charters may be able to direct a portion of their annual education funds toward their Arrowhead Farm enrollment — offsetting the monthly tuition cost.

Important to understand

Arrowhead Farm is a tutoring and curriculum support provider, not an independent school. Families must remain actively enrolled and in good standing with their charter program. We work alongside your education specialist — not in place of them.


CHARTER SCHOOL PARTNERS

Programs we will be working with

The following charter programs serve homeschool families across Sonoma County and the broader Bay Area. We are in the process of becoming an approved enrichment vendor.

Heartwood


Pathways


Compass


HOWIT WORKS

What to expect once we’re approved

The process is similar across most charter programs. Here’s a general outline of what using charter funds with us will look like:

  1. Confirm your fund avialablity
    • Check with your education specialist that you have sufficient funds available and that enrichment programs like ours are an eligible expense under your plan.
  2. Request Arrowhead Farm as a vendor
    • Ask your education specialist to add Arrowhead Farm to your approved vendor list. Let us know you’ve made the request so we can follow up on our end and keep the process moving.
  3. Enroll and select your days
    • Register your child for one or more days per week. During enrollment, note that you intend to use charter funds. An initial deposit will be required out of pocket until the first purchase order is received.
  4. Purchase orders handle the rest
    • Once your charter issues a purchase order (PO) to Arrowhead Farm, we invoice them monthly. Payments are applied to your account, and any overpayment is refundable to you.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently asked

Can I enroll now even if you’re not yet an approved vendor?

Yes — families are welcome to enroll at any time and pay tuition directly. Once we receive vendor approval from your charter, you may be able to redirect future payments and request reimbursement for what you’ve already paid. We’ll keep enrolled families updated as the process progresses.

How long does vendor approval typically take?

It varies by charter program — some move quickly, others can take several weeks. We are actively working through the approval process with Heartwood, Pathways, and Compass, and we are optimistic about approval. Contact us for the latest status.

What does Arrowhead Farm actually provide — are we a school?

No. We are a tutoring and curriculum support provider. Your child’s educational oversight remains with your charter program and their assigned education specialist. We contribute hands-on, project-based enrichment that complements and supports that learning plan.

What if my charter program isn’t listed here?

Reach out and let us know which program you’re with. We’re open to exploring vendor relationships with other charter programs, and your request may help us prioritize the right conversations.

Do I need to notify my education specialist?

Yes — your education specialist needs to know you intend to use charter funds with us and should initiate the vendor request on their end. This is an important step. The sooner they’re in the loop, the faster the process moves.

Questions? Let’s talk.

If you’re navigating the charter funding process or want to get ahead of enrollment, we’re happy to walk you through it.