PIE'S FEE STRUCTURE AND SERVICES OVERVIEW
Palmetto Independent Educators offers a structured fee system designed to support homeschooling families by providing essential services tailored to meet varying needs. Below is a detailed breakdown of the fees and the corresponding services provided:
1. Standard Membership Fee – $55 (annually, all members)
This fee grants access to essential support services and legal compliance under South Carolina Option 3 homeschool law.
Services Included:
- Legal Accountability: Ensures compliance with South Carolina’s homeschooling laws, providing a recognized legal framework that allows for a smooth transition between homeschooling and public/private school systems.
- Access to Member Resources: Gain full access to the Member Center, which includes:
- Record-Keeping Insights: Practical tools and guidance to help maintain accurate academic records.
- Free and Discounted Curriculum Resources: A curated list of resources available to support your instructional needs.
- Knowledge Base: Articles and examples covering various homeschooling topics, including classroom assessment strategies by grade level.
- Document Library: Downloadable planners (advanced, basic, or simple formats), progress reports, report cards, checklists, and many more printable forms to assist with daily and long-term organization.
- Support Services: Receive responsive assistance from the PIE office to help navigate challenges and enhance your homeschool experience.
2. Administrative Fee for New Members – $10 (per family, onetime fee)
This one-time fee applies to new families joining PIE and supports the setup of your membership account.
Services Included:
- Initial Enrollment Processing: Covers the administrative cost of reviewing and processing application materials for new members.
- Orientation Support: Provides helpful guidance on how to utilize PIE’s tools, understand homeschooling requirements, and get started with confidence.
3. Transcript Service - $50 (per student, onetime fee)
This fee covers the preparation and distribution of official high school transcripts.
Services Included:
- Personal High School Planning Assistance: Receive guidance through our website, phone, and email consultations to help you create a customized four-year education plan that aligns with your student’s graduation requirements and post-secondary goals.
- Preparation of both unweighted and weighted transcripts (upon request).
- Includes sending official transcripts to up to seven colleges or institutions.
- Includes up to three hard copies mailed to parents upon request.
- Draft and official copies are available by email at no additional cost (for active members only).
- Verification services for future education, employment, or military use (included).
- Class Rank: Consideration for SC’s Palmetto Fellows and LIFE Scholarships (top 6% and 30%)
- SAT and ACT Prep Access: Organized, high school-specific materials available through a dedicated section of PIE’s website
- Support for Scholarship and Dual Enrollment Documentation
4. Additional Fees:
- Diploma Kit Fee - $35
- Honoring your child’s achievements is an important part of your program. For example, earning a high school diploma is a major achievement. Celebrating this important milestone is an important part of providing structure and gives you something to look forward to as your child transitions into new phases of life. Palmetto Independent Educator’s emerald-green diploma kit is a great souvenir to present to your child on graduation day. The cost of the Diploma Kit is $35 (log in to see diploma kit for details).
- Late Fee - $10
- Late fees apply when enrollment/registration or services rendered are not completed promptly. Late fees are avoidable. Members can subscribe to the Calendar Update Notifications for updates and reminders (log in to see PIE's Calendar for details).
These fees and services are thoughtfully structured to provide strong support, simplify record-keeping, ensure legal compliance, and help families plan a successful homeschooling journey from elementary through high school.