Kindergarten should be understood as the very first structured educational process in which kids take part; therefore, all factors should be considered before deciding attendance. As for parents who look for online schooling, there appear to be several questions: Is the institution certified? Do I have enough teachers, and what will it cost me? These questions seem similar to the ones home-brewers and professionals would pose before engaging in any sort of online education.
Having considered the variety of educational opportunities available on the market, we analyzed some of the most reliable programs dealing with different issues relating to fermentation and brewing. We paid attention to aspects such as the manner in which the learning is structured, even if it was taught by experts in the field or qualified teachers, and what type of price policy they had in place. The most credible of the programs offered are delivered by brewers, teachers certified in the field, and industry professionals. Their price depends on the level and complexity of training required.
TL;DR
- Legacy Online School: Accredited by WASC, a private K-12 school with live classes for kindergarteners in small classes. Certified teachers, individual LSS, and playful curriculum. Starting from $149 per month.
- K12/Stride: Online public school with 20 years of experience. No tuition fees in most US states. Active participation of parents in learning is required.
- Connections Academy: Free public school accredited in 31 states. Interactive lessons and live tutoring services for K-5 children.
- Laurel Springs School: Dual-accredited private school through WASC and Cognia. Self-study kindergarten program with individualized tutoring from teachers.
- Florida Virtual School (FLVS): Free learning program for residents of Florida. Certified tutors and live classes for K-5 children.
Legacy Online School
Legacy Online School is a private K-12 school accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, which offers kindergarten courses to students aged 5 years old and above in a live classroom setting under the guidance of experienced teachers. Learners interact in small groups where lessons are taught through both formal and play-based education, including subjects such as: and even identify this mystery as they grow. Main highlights are:
- Accreditation: WASC, registered in Florida with the Department of Education
- Classes: Group live classes (small groups), individual lessons, or self-study classes, whatever the family prefers, and can switch at any time
- Curriculum: Play-based activities and subjects learned using user-friendly software; hands-on offline activities are provided as well
- Student support: Personal Learning Support Specialist (LSS) for each child, weekly progress reports for parents
- Fees: Starting from $149 per month; accepts state scholarships in Florida, Arizona, West Virginia, Arkansas, Alabama, etc.
In particular, for those newer to the art of brewing, there is a distinct advantage to having live teaching supplemented by smaller group learning environments. This is not unlike the benefit of being able to receive live feedback and input on important areas such as fermentation management, recipe adjustment, and sensory evaluation when learning to brew. In cases where programs take the step further than just being self-paced lessons, it is expected that the learner will have a better grasp of their performance since they can ask any question and observe personally how an experienced brewer deals with typical problems and scenarios. Moreover, small group learning settings allow for a more focused discussion on issues such as mash efficiency, yeast management, and flavor balancing, compared to large groups.
→ Explore Legacy’s online school kindergarten program
K12 / Stride
K12 (rebranded as Stride) is among the oldest and most common providers of online learning services in the US, established back in the year 2000. Their kindergarten course is free of charge in most states via government support to public schools, featuring a curriculum based on state standards with content in all basic subjects through engaging activities both online and offline. Students receive personalized lesson plans by certified teachers and participate in live sessions. It operates under a Learning Coach structure where either the mother or father must supervise the class for some hours every day.
- Accreditation: Cognia
- Cost: Free in most US states (public school)
- Best For: US families where a parent can commit to being an active daily Learning Coach.
Connections Academy
Connections Academy is an accredited tuition-free public school offering online learning for grades K-12 in 31 states. It features an extensive kindergarten curriculum covering essential skills in literacy, mathematics, science, and computing using animations, games, and LiveLessons. Certified teachers provide customized assistance, with the parent acting as the learning coach. There may be limitations to availability, depending on the state you live in. It is a public school, so there is less room for customization.
- Accreditation: Cognia
- Cost: Free (public, state-funded)
- Best For: Families in supported US states who want a free accredited kindergarten with engaging digital content
Laurel Springs School
Laurel Springs School is an accredited K12 private school by WASC and Cognia that provides a completely self-paced kindergarten program. All lessons, such as reading, mathematics, science, art, and physical exercise activities, are taught to students at their personal pace under guidance from teachers who have direct access to every pupil, along with counseling on a 1:1 basis. The nonconforming nature of the schedule makes it ideal for families abroad. Families who value personalized scheduling and an established accreditation track record find the investment worthwhile.
- Accreditation: WASC + Cognia (dual)
- Cost: Contact for current K-5 rates (lower than high school tier)
- Best For: Families needing maximum schedule flexibility with full private school credentials
Florida Virtual School (FLVS)
Florida Virtual School is an accredited online public school in Florida that provides grades K-12 free of charge. Students from grade K of Florida Virtual School join live classes conducted by certified teachers from the state. These students learn by participating in class with other students online and doing homework under the supervision of their parents. FLVS includes videos, online games, and experiments that follow Florida State Standards.
- Accreditation: Accredited (Florida State Standards)
- Tuition Fees: Free for residents of Florida
- Good for: Florida families seeking kindergarten education for free
Quick Comparison: Top 5 Online Kindergarten Programs
| School | Accreditation | Type | Cost |
| Legacy Online School | WASC | Private | From $149/mo |
| K12 / Stride | Cognia | Public (most US states) | Free |
| Connections Academy | Cognia | Public (31 states) | Free |
| Laurel Springs School | WASC + Cognia | Private | Contact |
| Florida Virtual School | FL state accredited | Public (FL residents) | Free |
Choosing the Right Online Kindergarten
Brewing education survey, however, tends to have several strong points of entry depending on the level of structure learners require to succeed in the program. Some systems provide free resources in the form of a basic understanding of essential topics such as sanitation, fermentation, ingredients, and other important topics. On the other hand, some embrace the notion of flexibility, whereby the users can learn at their own pace. These systems are suitable for home brewers because they involve both brewing and experimenting activities. Some of the most effective learning programs should involve a combination of instruction and curriculum that will ensure that the learner has a better grasp of the content.
These programs are suitable for helping the learners succeed because they offer theoretical information on how to brew, together with practical application. The most effective programs incorporate live teaching, interaction among the learners, as well as access to instructors through the whole duration of the program. This ensures an easier transition between the theoretical and practical aspects of brewing.