fbevents Guides for Parents: Online School, ESAs & Alternatives | Recess
GUIDES

Straight answers for
parents weighing options.

What ESA money can pay for, how online programs compare, and what a day at Recess actually includes. Sourced, dated, and written for parents who are deciding.

ABOUT RECESS

Is Recess a full school day, or just enrichment classes? Recess is a full-time online school for grades 2-10 with a complete school day: live core academics in math, English, science and history, plus electives, projects and community. Read the guide →

FUNDING

Online schools that accept ESA funding: a 2026-27 guide Which online schools accept ESA and state scholarship funds in 2026-27, state by state: Recess, K12 Private Academy, Prisma, Sora, Acellus, CMASAS and more. Read the guide →

CHOOSING A SCHOOL

The best alternatives to traditional school for elementary and middle school Nine real alternatives to traditional school for elementary and middle schoolers, compared on format, hours, cost and fit: online, microschools, hybrid and more. Read the guide →AI tutor online schools for kids: what's out there and what the research says Comparing online schools built around an AI tutor for kids: Alpha School, Unbound, Khan World School and Recess, plus what the research says and what to ask. Read the guide →Project-based online private schools: a parent's comparison Project-based online private schools compared: Recess, Prisma, Sora, CMASAS, Khan World School and more, on grades, live hours, projects, tuition and ESA. Read the guide →

MORE ON FUNDING

How to use your ESA funds What education savings money covers, the portals, and the four ways to pay a provider. Read the guide → ESA funding for kids with ADHD Which state programs an ADHD diagnosis, IEP or 504 plan can unlock, state by state. Read the guide →
Built for
your child.
NEXT STEP
Two-minute fit check, then a 20-minute call whenever you're ready. We'll confirm how much ESA or state funding can apply.
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Recess

A mastery-based online program built around your child. ESA and state-funding programs can cover up to the full tuition amount.

MADE FOR KIDS / BUILT WITH PARENTS
MEMBER

Recess is a proud member of Cognia, a global education nonprofit, and is independently pursuing Cognia accreditation.

Recess provides live instruction, tutoring, and community as an independent education program. Most full-time students enroll through an accredited partner school in the Recess school network, which issues transcripts and official records, collects tuition, and sets the payment schedule. Whether that school is also your child's school of record for state reporting depends on your state. Where it is not, and for families who enroll with Recess directly, your state's homeschool requirements stay with your family.

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