The founding pilot is for homeschooling, worldschooling, and home-educating families with children between ages 3–14 (PreK through 8th grade). We have one band for each age group — Seedlings (3–5), Sprouts (5–8), Buds (8–11), and Blossoms (11–14) — with 3 seats per band. You don't need prior homeschooling experience. You just need to be genuinely committed to the full school year and willing to give honest feedback.

Yes — but each child must be in a different age band. You can hold one seat per band per family. So a family with a 4-year-old (Seedlings) and a 9-year-old (Buds) could enroll both. A family with two children both in the Buds range would only be able to hold one of those seats. You submit one application and one $35 application fee for your whole family.

Instruction is delivered virtually, so you don't need to be local. Families anywhere are welcome. That said, in-person co-op days are held in the DMV area — if you're not local, you'd participate in the virtual instruction components and community events but may not be able to attend in-person co-ops. We're happy to talk through what participation looks like for your family's situation.

Yes. If your band is full by the time your application is reviewed, we'll contact you directly and offer a spot on the waitlist. Waitlisted families will be the first contacted for any openings that come up, and first in line for our full enrollment launch after the pilot year.

BGA delivers 8 core subjects all year: Language Arts (Rooted in Reading — our original ELA curriculum), Mathematics (Singapore Math / Dimensions Math), History & Culture (Rooted in Stories), Science (NGSS-aligned), Faith & Formation, Art, Music, and World Languages (Spanish). All content is culturally grounded, standards-aligned, and centered on Black and Brown authors and perspectives as the default — not as a special unit, but as the standard.

Seedlings and Sprouts families should expect roughly 1 hour of live virtual instruction per week, plus 2 hours of in-person co-op. Buds and Blossoms families receive 2.5 hours of live virtual instruction per week, plus co-op. Beyond that, the curriculum is designed to guide your home learning days — how much additional time you spend is flexible and family-led. Most families find 3–4 hours of home learning per day is plenty at this level.

BGA is a Virginia-registered private school and Maryland-recognized homeschool umbrella. We are actively pursuing Cognia and Middle States accreditation — and the founding pilot families are a critical part of that process. Your participation, feedback, and documented outcomes are the evidence base accreditation requires. We will provide an official Enrollment Letter for state homeschool compliance regardless of accreditation status.

Band placement is based on readiness, not strictly on age. If your child is academically ahead or behind the typical range for their age, we'll discuss placement during the enrollment conversation before you commit. Singapore and Dimensions Math include a placement assessment to make sure every child is working at the right level. No one is placed where they don't belong.

Here's a full picture per child:

Application fee:$35 (one-time, per family, non-refundable)
Tuition:$110/month (Seedlings) or $135/month (Sprouts, Buds, Blossoms) × 10 months
Materials & books:~$200–$375 depending on band, billed once at enrollment

Total for a Seedlings family with one child: approximately $1,335–$1,410 for the year.
Total for a Buds or Blossoms family with one child: approximately $1,685–$1,760 for the year.

For comparison, this is a fraction of what BGA will charge after the pilot year — and a fraction of what private school or full-service homeschool programs typically cost.

Tuition is billed monthly on the 1st, beginning August 1, 2026, through May 1, 2027 — 10 payments total. Payment details are confirmed during your enrollment conversation after your application is accepted.

The materials fee covers your child's physical curriculum materials for the full year. Depending on the band, this typically includes Singapore Math or Dimensions Math texts and workbooks, the Rooted in Reading anchor and supporting book set, Shared Inquiry print texts (Buds and Blossoms), a science supply kit, and an art materials kit. A detailed itemized list is provided before you pay so you know exactly what you're getting.

The $35 application fee is non-refundable. It covers one family regardless of how many children you're enrolling, and it is due at the time of application. If your application is not accepted, we'll let you know promptly — but the fee is not returned.

We will provide a short feedback form at regular intervals throughout the year — roughly quarterly, plus end-of-year. The questions are designed to be specific and useful, not vague. We want to know what's working, what isn't, how your child is responding, and what you'd change. We're not looking for praise — we're looking for honest, constructive observations that help us improve the program before we open to full enrollment.

We understand that life happens — illness, moves, major changes. If something comes up, we ask that you give us as much notice as possible and complete a brief exit feedback form so we don't lose the learning from your time with us. Tuition is billed monthly and we don't require full-year payment upfront, but we do ask for genuine commitment to see the year through before you apply.

Absolutely — BGA was built for worldschooling families. Virtual instruction travels with you. In-person co-op days may not be accessible while you're abroad, but we'll work with traveling families on what consistent participation looks like for their situation. If you plan an extended trip during the school year, let us know upfront so we can plan accordingly.

Founding pilot families are first in line to re-enroll for the 2027–2028 school year at the standard rate. You'll also be recognized as founding families in BGA's official history — your feedback literally shaped the school. We hope you'll stay.

Yes. The pilot rate is steeply discounted specifically because families are providing the documented feedback BGA needs for accreditation. After the pilot year, tuition will reflect the full program cost. We'll be transparent about what that looks like well before re-enrollment opens.

Yes. All enrolled students receive portfolio tracking throughout the year and an end-of-year report card. Oak-band students (high school, not in this pilot cohort) receive official transcripts. BGA also provides an Enrollment Letter valid for Maryland and Virginia homeschool compliance requirements.