The K-12 School Locator App™ for Parents
K-12 education options, in both the public and private sectors, have exploded in recent years. Many parents are unaware of this explosion, especially with the many non-traditional options now available for their children. And parents who are aware often find it difficult to search, navigate, and understand how each option differs. This is especially true for families who are relocating, have children just starting school, children with special needs, or who lack extensive networks with other parents in their community.
In the Spring of 2026, K-12 Blended Learning Solutions will launch a free School Locator App™ to help parents easily navigate and explore the long list of options currently available for their children. Since every family faces a different set of circumstances, this App will help parents find the education option that best fits their unique situation.
Some parents, for example, wish to be more involved in their children’s education, but the level of involvement often differs from family to family. In addition, cost, faith, location, special services, program focus, academic rigor, and more — all are factors to consider when choosing a school. Since many states now have School Choice programs to help with private school tuition, knowing which private options accept these funds is also important.
Every child within every family is also different. They have different learning styles. They have different special interests, and many have difficulty learning. In some cases, private tutors or coaches are needed, so a section on this app has also been included for them. Our goal is for this new School Locator App™ to help parents easily navigate all of the choices, both traditional and non-traditional, that are now available for their children.
How it Works!
The School Locator App™ begins with a “location” search, grade levels desired, and the basic “Public-Charter-Private” categories. However, within each of these basic categories, parents will then take another step and choose between four additional options based on their preferred level of parental involvement (as shown below).
The next step involves additional filters. For example, a parent who previously chose to search Private / Hybrid Schools can further expand their search into four additional categories (below box).
In addition, parents have the option to further divide/filter all of these private hybrid categories. Additional filters are based on cost, religious preference, special school features (accredited, accepts government funds for tuition, etc.), special services (special education, meals provided, transportation provided, etc.), an extensive list of program focus options, a long list of student interest options, and any national association/network memberships.
Hybrid School Options
College-Simulated Schools
- College-Simulated Schools often resemble traditional school campuses, but they offer an early college training experience designed to help students develop their independent learning skills.
- These schools involve 21 or fewer classroom hours on campus each week, with most following a college 2-day/3-day on-campus schedule. Some college-prep programs operate instead with a shorter school day throughout the week.
- Professional teachers lead all classes on campus and assign homework to support each class on days when students are at home.
- Extracurricular activities, including athletics, are normally available for students.
- Common features include a collegiate weekly schedule, focused classes taught on campus by professional teachers, asynchronous learning at home, and a Parent-Equipping Program (PEP).
Hybrid Microschools
- Hybrid Microschools typically serve 5-75 students and often have several grade levels in the same classroom.
- Professional teachers guide all the coursework, and instruction normally takes place 2-3 days each week in a specific location.
- The teachers send work home for the days when students are not in school.
- Hybrid Microschools often network with other microschools and are sometimes called Learning Pods or Cottage Schools.
Hybrid Homeschools
- Hybrid Homeschools are academic enrichment programs designed for homeschooled students.
- Students attend “selected” courses taught by professional teachers, typically held once a week at a designated school location.
- The teachers normally send work home for the days when students are not in school.
- These students are homeschooled for the courses “not selected” for on-campus instruction.
- In some cases, the school provides online instruction for the homeschooling courses.
Homeschool Co-ops
- Homeschool Co-ops are only available as a private option.
- They involve organized groups of families that regularly meet together for shared classes and activities.
- The classes and activities at the Co-op are commonly taught, led, and organized by parents to help reduce costs.
- Homeschool Co-ops typically do not offer a student “drop-off” option, unlike other hybrid options.
Our Continued Mission
As an organization, our mission remains focused on increasing parental involvement in education. While the School Locator App™ enables us to assist all students, it also informs parents nationwide of the growing number of options where they can be more involved in their children’s education, and to varying degrees. This includes College-Simulated Schools, the option that is our history and experience and that served as the basis for this app’s design.
This app is also our way of supporting new, emerging school options. We’ve been there, and we understand the challenges faced by new models and start-up schools. Not only is this app free to all users, but it is designed to be a free platform where all school options, both traditional and nontraditional, can showcase their services to others.