FAQ's
Landmark Online School's Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A : No. Landmark Online School is not accredited by the Commission on International and Trans-
Regional Accreditation (CITA) and by the North Central Association (NCA). To read more information, visit our Accreditation Page.
Q: How much time does my student have to finish the school year?
A : The school year is typically 180 days, which is about nine months. Students have up to one calendar year (12 months) to complete one school year's course work. A semester is 90 days, or approximately four and one-half months. Students enrolled in a one-semester course will have up to six months to complete the course.
Q: How quickly can my student work through curriculum?
A : While there is flexibility to doing schoolwork at home, the Landmark Online School requires
approximately 180 school days of instruction for each school year. It is especially important to meet these
requirements at the high school level in order to receive credit. Students can complete their courses over
a shorter period of time by occasionally increasing hours of study, working on weekends, or adding a
summer session.
Q: If I'm not able to help teach my student academic concepts what should I do?
A : SOS Teachers will answer academic questions for your student in the Switched-On Schoolhouse
program using the message system and the problem notepad. For more extensive explanations, your
student (or you) may call one of our in-house teachers during school hours (8am-4:30pm CST). Students
receive 60 minutes of free telephone support for every course they enroll in - a student enrolled in 5
courses starts with a total of 300 minutes that he or she can use to talk to a teacher in any department.
Between our well-written curriculum, the regular SOS Teacher, and our call center teachers, your
student will get plenty of help.
Q: Does Landmark Online School offer achievement testing?
A : Yes. Achievement testing is included at no charge for all full-time LOS students. Landmark Online School offers enrolled students the Measurement of Academic Progress (MAP) test through the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA). MAP is a nationally normed and accepted achievement test delivered to enrolled students through the home computer. During the first year of enrollment, achievement testing is scheduled before beginning the curriculum, after a counselor consultation, while waiting for curriculum. This is done to provide a baseline of comparison. Thereafter, achievement testing is scheduled near the completion of each year's program.
Q: Do you know my state's distance learning requirements?
A : Certain states view enrollment in any form of distance education as "homeschooling." Other states recognize accredited distance education institutions. It is the responsibility of the parent to know or be familiar with the education laws in their home state and to know how enrollment in Landmark Online School is viewed by their state.
Q: How does the content of the Switched-On Schoolhouse curriculum compare to LIFEPAC?
A : Switched-On Schoolhouse lesson content was originally drawn from the LIFEPAC curriculum. SOS
developers have since updated the content, rewritten sections, and enriched the material with interactive multimedia such as 3-D animation, video clips, and learning games. Made for today's generation, this flexible, computer-based curriculum offers multiple printing options, a helpful resource center, and an automated "text-to-speech" feature.
Q: Can my student use other curriculum?
A : All students must use Alpha Omega Publications curriculum—either Switched-On Schoolhouse, LIFEPAC, or Horizons. High school students may, for an additional fee, include outside courses. Outside courses must be pre-approved by a counselor and not be offered in Alpha Omega Publications' curriculum.
Q: Will your program prepare my student for college?
A : Landmark Online School's college preparatory course of study is designed to prepare students for entrance into most universities and colleges. Because each college or university has its own entrance requirements, the student or parent will want to consult with the chosen school(s) to tailor a high school program which meets specific requirements of that institution.
Q: Does my student have to be connected to the Internet while doing schoolwork?
A : If you are using remote access, you need to be connected to the Internet so your student can do his schoolwork. If you are using the synchronization option, you do not need to be connected to the Internet while your student is working. You only need to connect when synchronizing. This needs to be done at the beginning of the school day and at the end of the school day.
Q: If my student is enrolled in the Academy, do I still control his schedule?
A : One of the benefits of Landmark Online School is the flexibility of the schedule. The parent has the freedom to change the student's schedule, provided he stays within the deadline for the course. Parents do not need to notify the Academy of a school day that has been missed. If the student will not be working for a week or more, we recommend informing the Academy.
Q: I do not know if distance learning is for me. May I talk to someone?
A : Absolutely. Our educational specialists are available Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CST. Please call 972-496-4031. We look
forward to discussing your student's educational needs.
Q: Are students only admitted during certain times of the year?
A : No. We understand that not everyone operates on the same calendar; because of that, we offer rolling enrollment. Rolling enrollment means that you can start your school year at any day or month during the year.
Q: Can I use a satellite Internet connection if I live in a remote area?
A : We do not recommend using satellite Internet connections because of frequent reports of difficulty transmitting SOS schoolwork. An ordinary dial-up connection usually works better than a satellite connection. However, if there is no better way, families may try using a satellite connection if they are willing to assume the risk that it may prove unsatisfactory.
Q: What kind of computer and operating system will I need for Switched-On Schoolhouse?
A :To maintain compatibility with current technology, the 2008 version of SOS is designed to run only on computers with an operating system of Microsoft® Windows XP SP2 or later, including Microsoft Windows Vista®. Computers running XP need a minimum of a 500 MHz processor, 512 MB memory, 600 MB hard drive space, a CD-ROM drive, and a 1024x768 resolution monitor, along with Windo ws Internet Explorer® 6.0 or later and Adobe Acrobat Reader® installed. Vista computers need the same, plus at least a 1 GHz processor, 1 GHz of memory, and Internet Explorer® 7.0 or later. With any kind of computer, a printer is highly recommended. For families with older computers, using 2007 SOS, which runs on Windows® 98 through XP, will remain an option only for the 2008-09 school year. SOS 2007 requires a computer with at least a 500 MHz processor and 256 MB of memory. A printer is recommended. Switched-On Schoolhouse requires a Windows® operating system. Academy families who want to use SOS on an Apple Macintosh® computer using a Windows emulator program do so at their own risk. Such installations have sometimes suffered irresolvable connection problems and/or serious data loss. LOS cannot provide support for issues with SOS that are related to the emulator.
- Is Landmark Online School accredited?
- How much time does my student have to finish the school year?
- How quickly can my student work through curriculum?
- If I'm not able to help teach my student academic concepts what should I do?
- Does Landmark Online School offer achievement testing?
- Do you know my state's distance learning requirements?
- How does the content of the Switched-On Schoolhouse curriculum compare to LIFEPAC?
- Can my student use other curriculum?
- Will your program prepare my student for college?
- Does my student have to be connected to the Internet while doing schoolwork?
- If my student is enrolled in the Academy, do I still control his schedule?
- I do not know if distance learning is for me. May I talk to someone?
- Are students only admitted during certain times of the year?
- Can I use a satellite Internet connection if I live in a remote area?
- What kind of computer and operating system will I need for Switched-On Schoolhouse?
A : No. Landmark Online School is not accredited by the Commission on International and Trans-
Regional Accreditation (CITA) and by the North Central Association (NCA). To read more information, visit our Accreditation Page.
Q: How much time does my student have to finish the school year?
A : The school year is typically 180 days, which is about nine months. Students have up to one calendar year (12 months) to complete one school year's course work. A semester is 90 days, or approximately four and one-half months. Students enrolled in a one-semester course will have up to six months to complete the course.
Q: How quickly can my student work through curriculum?
A : While there is flexibility to doing schoolwork at home, the Landmark Online School requires
approximately 180 school days of instruction for each school year. It is especially important to meet these
requirements at the high school level in order to receive credit. Students can complete their courses over
a shorter period of time by occasionally increasing hours of study, working on weekends, or adding a
summer session.
Q: If I'm not able to help teach my student academic concepts what should I do?
A : SOS Teachers will answer academic questions for your student in the Switched-On Schoolhouse
program using the message system and the problem notepad. For more extensive explanations, your
student (or you) may call one of our in-house teachers during school hours (8am-4:30pm CST). Students
receive 60 minutes of free telephone support for every course they enroll in - a student enrolled in 5
courses starts with a total of 300 minutes that he or she can use to talk to a teacher in any department.
Between our well-written curriculum, the regular SOS Teacher, and our call center teachers, your
student will get plenty of help.
Q: Does Landmark Online School offer achievement testing?
A : Yes. Achievement testing is included at no charge for all full-time LOS students. Landmark Online School offers enrolled students the Measurement of Academic Progress (MAP) test through the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA). MAP is a nationally normed and accepted achievement test delivered to enrolled students through the home computer. During the first year of enrollment, achievement testing is scheduled before beginning the curriculum, after a counselor consultation, while waiting for curriculum. This is done to provide a baseline of comparison. Thereafter, achievement testing is scheduled near the completion of each year's program.
Q: Do you know my state's distance learning requirements?
A : Certain states view enrollment in any form of distance education as "homeschooling." Other states recognize accredited distance education institutions. It is the responsibility of the parent to know or be familiar with the education laws in their home state and to know how enrollment in Landmark Online School is viewed by their state.
Q: How does the content of the Switched-On Schoolhouse curriculum compare to LIFEPAC?
A : Switched-On Schoolhouse lesson content was originally drawn from the LIFEPAC curriculum. SOS
developers have since updated the content, rewritten sections, and enriched the material with interactive multimedia such as 3-D animation, video clips, and learning games. Made for today's generation, this flexible, computer-based curriculum offers multiple printing options, a helpful resource center, and an automated "text-to-speech" feature.
Q: Can my student use other curriculum?
A : All students must use Alpha Omega Publications curriculum—either Switched-On Schoolhouse, LIFEPAC, or Horizons. High school students may, for an additional fee, include outside courses. Outside courses must be pre-approved by a counselor and not be offered in Alpha Omega Publications' curriculum.
Q: Will your program prepare my student for college?
A : Landmark Online School's college preparatory course of study is designed to prepare students for entrance into most universities and colleges. Because each college or university has its own entrance requirements, the student or parent will want to consult with the chosen school(s) to tailor a high school program which meets specific requirements of that institution.
Q: Does my student have to be connected to the Internet while doing schoolwork?
A : If you are using remote access, you need to be connected to the Internet so your student can do his schoolwork. If you are using the synchronization option, you do not need to be connected to the Internet while your student is working. You only need to connect when synchronizing. This needs to be done at the beginning of the school day and at the end of the school day.
Q: If my student is enrolled in the Academy, do I still control his schedule?
A : One of the benefits of Landmark Online School is the flexibility of the schedule. The parent has the freedom to change the student's schedule, provided he stays within the deadline for the course. Parents do not need to notify the Academy of a school day that has been missed. If the student will not be working for a week or more, we recommend informing the Academy.
Q: I do not know if distance learning is for me. May I talk to someone?
A : Absolutely. Our educational specialists are available Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CST. Please call 972-496-4031. We look
forward to discussing your student's educational needs.
Q: Are students only admitted during certain times of the year?
A : No. We understand that not everyone operates on the same calendar; because of that, we offer rolling enrollment. Rolling enrollment means that you can start your school year at any day or month during the year.
Q: Can I use a satellite Internet connection if I live in a remote area?
A : We do not recommend using satellite Internet connections because of frequent reports of difficulty transmitting SOS schoolwork. An ordinary dial-up connection usually works better than a satellite connection. However, if there is no better way, families may try using a satellite connection if they are willing to assume the risk that it may prove unsatisfactory.
Q: What kind of computer and operating system will I need for Switched-On Schoolhouse?
A :To maintain compatibility with current technology, the 2008 version of SOS is designed to run only on computers with an operating system of Microsoft® Windows XP SP2 or later, including Microsoft Windows Vista®. Computers running XP need a minimum of a 500 MHz processor, 512 MB memory, 600 MB hard drive space, a CD-ROM drive, and a 1024x768 resolution monitor, along with Windo ws Internet Explorer® 6.0 or later and Adobe Acrobat Reader® installed. Vista computers need the same, plus at least a 1 GHz processor, 1 GHz of memory, and Internet Explorer® 7.0 or later. With any kind of computer, a printer is highly recommended. For families with older computers, using 2007 SOS, which runs on Windows® 98 through XP, will remain an option only for the 2008-09 school year. SOS 2007 requires a computer with at least a 500 MHz processor and 256 MB of memory. A printer is recommended. Switched-On Schoolhouse requires a Windows® operating system. Academy families who want to use SOS on an Apple Macintosh® computer using a Windows emulator program do so at their own risk. Such installations have sometimes suffered irresolvable connection problems and/or serious data loss. LOS cannot provide support for issues with SOS that are related to the emulator.
