Read for meaning
Move from sounding out words to explaining a story. Ask what happened, what a character wanted and which sentence helped your child decide.
Online Elementary School for Grades 1–5
Make room for reading, number sense and everyday discovery.
PLA Independent combines self-paced learning for Grades 1–5 with up to three selected assignments reviewed each study week across four core subjects. Families receive written teacher feedback and a weekly progress summary.
$179 × 10 monthly payments
$1,790 full annual tuition · USD per student
Grades 1–5
Strong foundations, one useful skill at a time
A 36-study-week plan combines digital resources, practice away from the screen and selected-work feedback. These learning priorities help families build a useful elementary routine.
Make math visible
Use counters, drawings and familiar objects to connect a written calculation with a quantity. Invite your child to show how an answer makes sense.
Follow a question
Notice a shadow, compare leaves or explore a neighborhood map. Science and social studies become more concrete when children observe, record and discuss what they find.
Practice growing independence
Start with one manageable responsibility, such as gathering materials or checking finished work. Add more as your child becomes comfortable with the routine.
Plan your next steps before enrollment
Bring your child’s grade and recent work to a conversation with PLA. Explore your state’s official resources, then confirm the practical arrangements before committing.
- 1
Choose the school stage
Start with Elementary for Grades 1–5. Note your child's current grade and the grade you are considering next.
- 2
Open a state guide
Choose a state in the program finder to explore planning information. The guide does not confirm eligibility or available enrollment.
- 3
Gather a learning picture
Keep recent schoolwork, reading interests and questions about support together. Check which records or documents a school actually requests before preparing an application.
- 4
Confirm the program details
Call PLA to discuss the subject plan, start date, work submission and state availability. Elementary tuition is $1,790 USD for 36 study weeks; obtain the applicable written enrollment, withdrawal and refund terms before payment.
Admissions checklist
Explore elementary learning by grade
Reading and language arts, math, science and social studies offer different ways to understand the world. Choose a grade to see a possible learning focus and try a short practice idea.
Illustrative focus for Grade 1.
These are illustrative curriculum examples and original practice activities, not an approved PLA course catalog or placement assessment.
Reading and language arts
Read short texts and write sentences about familiar experiences.
Math
Connect addition and subtraction with objects, drawings and number stories.
Science
Observe plants, weather and changes through simple records.
Social studies
Describe familiar places and the people who help a community.
Illustrative practice: two rows of buttons
Draw one row of 8 buttons and another row of 7. Use your drawing to explain your thinking.
How many buttons are there altogether?
Show worked answer
8 + 7 = 15 buttons. Move 2 of the 7 buttons beside the first 8 to make 10. The remaining 5 make 10 + 5 = 15.
Start with the child you know
Bring examples of how your child learns to school conversations. They can make questions about curriculum, pace and support more useful.
Recent work and interests
Choose a reading sample, a piece of writing and some math work. Add the subjects, stories or activities your child returns to by choice.
A small set of goals
Name what you hope becomes easier: reading instructions, explaining a calculation or finishing a task. Concrete goals give you a starting point for discussing support.
Support that helps
Note when your child needs an adult nearby, a break or another explanation. Ask how a learning plan would address those needs and how progress would be reviewed.
Picture a day with online and offline work
An elementary routine can include a short digital task, practice away from the computer and time to talk through learning.
- 1
Get ready together
Review tasks, gather materials and choose an order. Younger children may need an adult to help them begin.
- 2
Learn something new
Read an explanation, watch a demonstration or explore a question. Pause to let your child describe the idea in their own words.
- 3
Try it away from the screen
Write a paragraph, build a model, measure something or read a book. Match practice to the learning task and include movement breaks.
- 4
Look back and prepare
Check completed work together, note a question and set out materials for the next task. Use any available teacher feedback to guide follow-up practice.
This rhythm is illustrative. PLA Independent uses self-paced learning with selected assignment review. Agree on the study calendar, work-submission plan and adult support before enrollment.
Elementary teachers
Elementary includes up to three selected submissions reviewed each study week across the whole subject plan, with one revision of each selected submission included.
Individual PLA teacher profiles are not yet published here. Request the names, subject experience and responsibilities for your child’s program before enrolling.
- Role and subjects
- Ask about each teacher's name, elementary role and subjects or grades taught.
- Experience and qualifications
- Ask about relevant teaching experience and verified qualifications.
- Feedback and contact
- Written feedback is provided within two business days during the study calendar, with a weekly written family progress summary. Daily live classes and one-to-one tutoring are not included.
Elementary School. A clear tuition plan.
PLA Independent combines self-paced study with teacher review over 36 study weeks.
$179× 10 monthly payments
$1,790 full annual tuition · USD per student. The same total applies when paid once.
Four core subjects. Up to 3 selected submissions reviewed each study week across all subjects, with one revision included.
Teacher feedback within 2 business days during the study calendar, a weekly written family progress summary, initial orientation and a learning plan are included. No separate registration fee.
Monthly payments are installments of the annual plan. Obtain the applicable written payment, withdrawal and refund terms before payment.
Give support that grows with your child
Parent involvement changes across Grades 1–5. An adult may begin beside a child and gradually hand over familiar tasks as confidence develops.
Before learning
Help younger children find the right task and materials. Older elementary learners can begin checking a list and preparing their own workspace.
During practice
Ask your child to explain a step before offering the answer. Notice confusing instructions and keep a question ready for the teacher.
After a task
Ask your child to show something learned and something to revisit. Gradually let them check work and organize materials with less prompting.
Keep conversation and shared learning in the week
Children need opportunities to listen, cooperate and exchange ideas. Consider local activities that suit your child's interests and energy.
Visit a library activity and talk afterward about something another child shared.Make a small project with a friend, with a clear job for each person.Join a suitable local sports, arts or community group for regular time together.
These are family planning ideas. PLA clubs, school events and other organized social activities are not yet confirmed.
Prepare a practical place to learn
Use this general checklist while you compare online elementary options. Confirm the school's actual technical requirements before buying equipment.
Computer and internet
Plan access to a computer and a reliable internet connection. Ask which devices, browsers and software the learning platform supports.
Audio and communication
Check that sound works. Ask whether headphones, a microphone or a camera are required for any planned activities.
Everyday materials
Keep paper, pencils, books and simple counting or measuring materials nearby. Request a grade-specific supply list when one is available.
Workspace and movement
Choose a comfortable spot with room to write and store work. Make it easy to step away for a movement break.
Questions about online elementary school
Does this page include Kindergarten?
This page covers Grades 1–5. Kindergarten has its own PLA page for families considering that stage.
How much help will my child need from a parent?
It depends on age, reading independence, the task and the learning format. Younger children often need help getting started and following instructions. Ask what adult availability a program expects before arranging your routine.
Are there live classes, and how much time is spent online?
PLA Independent uses self-paced learning with selected assignment review. Daily live classes and one-to-one tutoring are not included. The example routine on this page is illustrative; daily study time varies with the child, grade and agreed learning plan.
Are these examples the actual PLA elementary curriculum?
The grade topics and practice activities are editorial illustrations of elementary learning. They are not an approved course list, a sample PLA lesson or a placement assessment.
What does online elementary school cost?
PLA Independent Elementary costs $1,790 USD per student for 36 study weeks, payable once or in 10 monthly installments of $179. It includes self-paced learning, up to three selected assignments reviewed per study week across the subject plan, one revision per submission and a weekly family progress summary. Obtain the applicable written withdrawal and refund terms before payment.
What technology should we prepare?
Start by planning computer and internet access, working audio and a comfortable place to write. Exact device, browser, software and camera requirements depend on the platform. Confirm those details before purchasing equipment.
Can we enroll from our state or study while traveling?
A state guide is a starting point for research, not confirmation that enrollment is available. Before planning around travel, verify state eligibility, attendance rules and any location requirements with the school and relevant state sources.
What should I verify before taking an enrollment step?
Call PLA at +1 (407) 854-3945 to discuss the subject plan, start date, work submission and your state. Obtain written enrollment, record, withdrawal and refund details before paying. Accreditation, approval and state availability still need confirmation. The program finder opens a guide without submitting an inquiry.
Explore more elementary family guides
All family resourcesTake the next step with your state in mind
Select Elementary and, if useful, your state in the program finder. Open a guide to continue your research and collect the questions that matter for your family.
Choose an elementary state guide