Information and FAQ’s

About Us

  • What is Creative STEAM Academy?

    Creative STEAM is a homeschool learning center located in Laguna Woods in South Orange County dedicated to supporting families with an academically rigorous program that combines the flexibility of homeschooling with the structure and guidance of a classroom environment. Our hands-on, project-based approach engages students in meaningful life-skill learning experiences that inspire curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning.

  • Is Creative STEAM a private school or charter school?

    No. The CA Dept of Ed is very clear in what they define as a school. We intentionally do not offer more than 15 hours of instruction per week in our core program and do not cover all four core subjects, so we do not meet the classification for a school.

  • Do you teach CRT? Do you teach LGBTQIA curriculum? SEL Curriculum?

    No, we do not. At Creative STEAM, we believe these topics and values are best addressed at home by parents. Our focus is on providing a strong academic foundation with hands-on, project-based learning. While we do not teach CRT, LGBTQIA, or SEL curriculum, we strive to foster a respectful and welcoming environment for all students and families.

  • Do we get to pick my students’ classes?

    We offer several program options to fit your family’s needs, with 1–4 days of classes each week. Please review the program options to see which classes are available and the schedule they follow.

  • What subjects are taught in the CORE & Middle School program? 

    We provide ELM (Language Arts & Math, History/ Social Studies, and Science/STEM we follow a custom created curriculum which is CA state standard based.

  • Is it a drop off program? What are the hours?

    All of our classes are drop-off classes.

    CORE Program: Offered Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 9:00 AM–2:00 PM

    Afternoon Enrichment: Offered on select days, running from 2:30–3:30 PM or 2:30–4:00 PM (depending on the class)

    Field Trip & Community Day: Held on Wednesdays for hands-on learning and social connection

  • Do I need to order my own books?

    All required curriculum is included in class material fees and will be ordered by teachers.  It is strongly suggested that you purchase or borrow from the library the class novels if your student would like their own copy to follow along. Each teacher will forward a suggested supply list for students & a wishlist for classroom donations.

  • How do you decide class placements?

    At Creative STEAM, we consider each student’s academic history, prior experience, and social-emotional needs when placing them in classes. Each classroom develops its own unique “learning profile” that may vary from year to year, depending on the group of students.

    For example, a fourth grade class may begin the year reviewing the end of 3rd grade concepts, while a second grade class may be ready to move into 3rd grade material mid-year. Our teachers provide extra support, small group instruction, and differentiated learning so that every student can learn at their own pace, catching up where needed and moving ahead when ready.

  • My student has an IEP or a learning or behavioral challenge. Can you help?

    An IEP is a public school document, and while Creative STEAM does not create or formally implement IEPs, we are happy to review and consider students with diagnosed learning differences on a case-by-case basis.

    Please note: We do not have a SPED, STS, or SAI department in place to provide services or accommodations, nor do we offer one-on-one aides. All students must be able to participate in a classroom setting in a cooperative manner, work independently and in groups, and maintain appropriate behavior without disrupting the learning environment. Creative STEAM does not handle behavioral issues.

  • How do I enroll my students?

    Email admissions@creativesteam.com and we will send you an informational packet that includes the entire admissions process.

  • What if we decide to enroll after the Fall start date?

    We have an open enrollment throughout the year for new students depending on the availability in each classroom. If we don’t have space in a specific classroom, we have an open waitlist that we try our best to clear once space becomes available.

  • How do you deal with absences?

    We do not hold any records of attendance for our students. However, we do require families to sign a homework policy and commit to the completion of assignments if they need to be absent from class.

  • Do you take charter funds? 

    We partner with independent vendors who accept charter funds for the classes they offer at our site.

    Families can enroll with any homeschool charter of their choice.

    Our vendors accept many Charter School Funds including Suncoast Prep, BEST Academy, Cabrillo Point, Excel, iLEAD, Sky Mountain, Scale and more.

  • Will my charter funds cover classes at Creative STEAM? How much do Charter Funds cover?

    We have no way of knowing what funds are offered  as that is something we do not track and varies from charter to charter. We are happy to accept funds for your classes if your charter allows. 

  • What if my charter says that I can’t pay for anything out of pocket? 

    Your charter can not legally tell you what to do with your private money or time.

  • What do I do if my charter school teacher says my student needs to be working at grade level? 

    This is something we hear often. However, Creative STEAM’s mission is one that we trust aligns with the families who choose to be here is to meet students where they are and support them at their individual pace. This personalized approach may at times be in conflict with charter schools, which are required to keep students strictly at grade level.

  • Can I visit the campus? 

    For the privacy and safety of our students, we are a closed campus and do not accept walk-in guests or visitors looking for tours or program information. Tours are by appointment only and our address will be sent beforehand for all tour registrants. If you are interested in touring our campus, email admissions@creativesteam.com for more information.

  • What should I know about the campus in regards to safety?

    For the safety of our students, Creative STEAM maintains a secure campus. Security cameras are located throughout the campus and around the exterior. The gate and building doors remain locked at all times, and entry is only permitted when a staff member allows access. All students are checked in and out daily to ensure proper accountability and security.

  • How much teaching can I expect on the “off” days?

    Our program is academically rigorous compared to most homeschool programs. All of our classes are taught by credentialed teachers with years of experience, ensuring high-quality instruction.

    Unlike many homeschool programs where parents serve as the primary teachers and classes act mainly as support, at Creative STEAM it is our teachers who lead the learning. They introduce new concepts, set the pace, monitor progress, and make placement decisions based on how students perform in the classroom. Parents simply reinforce learning at home with minimal, intentional homework.

    This approach allows students to thrive under professional guidance while still preserving the flexibility and support of homeschooling.

  • Is there a volunteer commitment required of parents? 

    No, we do not require parents to volunteer.