Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is CHERN?

CHERN (Christian Home Educators Resource Network) is a homeschool support program of Forging Education designed to serve Christian homeschool families across Colorado. CHERN provides practical guidance, organization tools, workshops, academic support resources, and encouragement while allowing families to remain fully independent in their homeschool journey.
 

2. Is CHERN an umbrella school?

No. CHERN is not an umbrella school and does not take control of a family’s homeschool program. Parents remain fully responsible for and in control of their student’s education, curriculum, records, and homeschool decisions.
 

3. What homeschool option is CHERN designed for?

CHERN is primarily designed to support families homeschooling independently under Colorado’s Notice of Intent homeschool pathway.
 

4. Do parents stay fully in control?

Yes. Families maintain full independence and educational authority while utilizing CHERN resources, tools, guidance, workshops, and support opportunities.
 

5. Is CHERN only for Christian families?

CHERN is built around a Christian worldview and is specifically designed to support Christian homeschool families.

6. When does CHERN launch?

CHERN officially launches July 1, 2026. Families may pre-register prior to launch in order to receive updates, orientation information, and early access details.
 

7. Will there be homeschool orientation opportunities?

Yes. CHERN plans to provide optional homeschool orientation opportunities each summer for families who would like help preparing for the upcoming homeschool year. Topics may include homeschool planning, Colorado requirements, scheduling, curriculum selection, recordkeeping, and organization.
 

8. How are meetings and workshops hosted?

CHERN’s Legal Advise and Parent Development meetings are planned to take place monthly through Zoom, allowing homeschool families across Colorado to participate remotely. Additional workshops, resources, and support opportunities will be announced following the official launch of the network.
 

9. How often will CHERN meetings take place?

CHERN plans to provide regular monthly Legal Support and Parent Development meetings, along with additional workshops, collaboration opportunities, and homeschool support resources throughout the school year.
 

10. Will CHERN provide legal guidance?

Yes. CHERN already has educational attorneys and legal professionals on board to help provide guidance related to Colorado homeschool law, Notices of Intent, evaluations, recordkeeping requirements, and related homeschool topics.

 

11. Does CHERN help families file a Notice of Intent?

Yes. CHERN is able to assist families who need help filing a Notice of Intent in Colorado. CHERN plans to provide an online form that parents may complete in order to request assistance preparing and sending their Notice of Intent to the appropriate Colorado school district.

 

12. Does CHERN report to the government or school districts?

No. CHERN does not report student academic information, grades, testing results, or evaluations to the government on behalf of families. Parents remain responsible for their own homeschool documentation and compliance obligations.

 

13. Does CHERN provide curriculum?

CHERN does not provide a complete curriculum program. However, families may receive curriculum recommendations, educational resource guidance, curriculum reviews, and access to occasional curriculum giveaway opportunities.

 

14. Will CHERN help with high school planning?

Yes. CHERN plans to provide resources and guidance related to high school planning, transcripts, academic records, graduation preparation, and long-term educational organization.

 

15. Does CHERN provide transcripts?

CHERN plans to provide hosted academic tools that may help families generate and organize transcripts, course descriptions, attendance records, and high school credit tracking. Parents remain responsible for their student records and graduation decisions.

 

16. What academic tools are included?

CHERN plans to provide access to an academic platform such as iGrade that can help families organize attendance records, grades, transcripts, documents, and other homeschool records in one location. Training and support for utilizing the platform will also be provided to member families.

 

17. Can CHERN store attendance, grades, and records?

Yes. The hosted academic platform is designed to help families organize attendance, grades, transcripts, assignments, and important homeschool documents in one secure location.

 

18. Will testing or evaluations be available?

CHERN plans to help connect families with testing opportunities, portfolio reviews, and evaluator referrals for families who desire assistance meeting Colorado homeschool evaluation requirements.

 

19. Are testing or evaluation services included in membership?

Some optional testing, evaluation, or specialized academic services may require additional fees depending on the provider or assessment selected.

 

20. Can new homeschool families join?

Absolutely. CHERN is designed to help both experienced homeschool families and parents who are homeschooling for the first time.

 

21. Is CHERN available outside of Colorado?

At this time, CHERN is specifically designed around Colorado homeschool laws and homeschool requirements.

22. How much does membership cost?

• $15/month for families with one student

• $20/month for families with two or more students

 

23. What is included with membership?

Membership is designed to include:

• legal guidance opportunities

• monthly Zoom meetings

• homeschool planning support

• hosted academic platform access

• transcript and recordkeeping tools

• curriculum guidance and resources

• parent collaboration opportunities

• homeschool orientation support

 

24. Are there additional fees for any services?

Some optional testing, evaluation, or specialized academic services may involve additional fees depending on the provider or assessment selected.

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25. Will Zoom meetings be recorded?

Some CHERN meetings or workshops may be recorded and made available to participating member families when possible.
 

25. What kinds of workshops and training will CHERN provide?

CHERN plans to provide workshops and support opportunities related to homeschool planning, organization, curriculum guidance, Colorado homeschool requirements, high school preparation, recordkeeping, and parent development.

26. Will CHERN offer support throughout the school year?

Yes. CHERN is designed to provide ongoing support, tools, guidance, and encouragement throughout the school year for participating homeschool families.

27. Can CHERN help with organization and recordkeeping?

Yes. CHERN is specifically designed to help families better organize attendance records, grades, transcripts, evaluations, planning documents, and homeschool documentation.

28. Does CHERN provide support for graduation planning?

Yes. CHERN plans to provide guidance and tools related to high school credit tracking, transcripts, graduation planning, and long-term academic organization.

29. Can CHERN help with homeschool scheduling and planning?

Yes. CHERN plans to provide practical guidance related to homeschool scheduling, organization, pacing, and long-term academic planning.

30. What ages or grade levels does CHERN support?

CHERN is designed to support homeschool families across a wide range of grade levels, from elementary through high school.

31. Who operates CHERN?

CHERN is a program of Forging Education, a Colorado-based educational organization serving families through private schools, hybrid programs, homeschool enrichment opportunities, and educational support initiatives.

32. Why was CHERN created?

CHERN was created to provide practical support, trusted guidance, organization tools, and encouragement for Christian homeschool families while still preserving the freedom and independence that make homeschooling valuable.

33. What makes CHERN different from other homeschool support options?

CHERN is designed specifically for independent Christian homeschool families in Colorado who desire support, organization, legal guidance, academic tools, and encouragement without giving up educational independence.

34. Will CHERN offer community and collaboration opportunities for parents?

Yes. CHERN plans to provide collaboration opportunities, parent development meetings, workshops, and support sessions designed to encourage and strengthen homeschool families.

35. Can families participate remotely from anywhere in Colorado?

Yes. Because CHERN primarily utilizes online tools and Zoom meetings, families throughout Colorado are able to participate remotely.

36. Will CHERN continue expanding resources after launch?

Yes. CHERN plans to continue developing additional homeschool support resources, tools, workshops, and opportunities as the network grows.