Parent Handbook

1 About Avatar Learning Center & Philosophy

Avatar Learning Center is an online math teaching service built on the belief that every child is capable of learning and excelling at mathematics. We recognize that each student learns in their own unique way. With the guidance of caring, skilled teachers and a rich learning environment, every child can build strong math skills and be prepared for tomorrow's challenges.

Avatar Learning Center's founders identified a serious gap between how mathematics should be taught and how it was typically delivered in schools. Trained in international mathematics education standards and holding PhDs from prestigious universities, they developed a highly effective approach to teaching math — the Avatar Learning Center Method. This method guides students to build deductive reasoning and genuine mathematical understanding, and is designed to be accessible to any child who wants to strengthen their math skills or reach the next level.

2 About This Handbook

This handbook does not limit the authority of Avatar Learning Center to act in the manner it deems most appropriate, taking into consideration the best interests of the program, its faculty, students, and community.

3 Communication

Our primary channel for essential communications with parents and guardians is email. Please ensure we always have your current email address on file.

From time to time we will also send non-classroom communications such as information about math competitions and Avatar Learning Center newsletters.

4 Class Placement

We are committed to giving every student an enriching, appropriately challenging educational experience. A free placement assessment before enrollment identifies the right course and one of three levels for each student, and a child can move up during the year. Avatar Learning Center assigns each student to the course, level and teacher that best match their current academic level.

While we strive to keep teacher and class assignments stable, adjustments may occasionally be made. In the rare event that a change is necessary, Avatar Learning Center will work to ensure continuity and provide appropriate transition support.

5 Security & Privacy Policy

Avatar Learning Center takes student privacy seriously. Each virtual classroom is a private, invitation-only session, and students are admitted by an Avatar Learning Center staff member.

Because our classes are small — 5 to 6 students, never more than 8 — teachers know each student personally. Features such as screen sharing, session recording, and private chat are disabled in all classrooms to protect students' privacy and prevent unmoderated content.

6 Intellectual Property

Avatar Learning Center reserves the right to disable the video or audio of any student who cannot comply with this policy, and to remove from the program anyone found recording a class session.

All Avatar Learning Center instructional materials are the sole property of Avatar Learning Center. Duplication or distribution of any materials without written approval from the Avatar Learning Center administration is prohibited.

7 Online Classes

All Avatar Learning Center classes are live online, interactive and engaging: the teacher and the class meet in a video session at a set time each week. Our goal is a focused, classroom-like experience that is consistent from session to session.

Technology Requirements

• Stable internet connection
• A camera and a microphone
• A laptop, Chromebook or tablet with a current browser; the student portal works in any browser
• A headset or headphones are strongly recommended

Parent/Guardian Expectations During Class

• Keep background noise and interruptions away from the class
• Keep the student's camera turned on at all times
• Stay out of the camera view and avoid communicating with your child during the session
• No food or drinks during class

8 Student Portal

Students do their classwork and homework in the Avatar Student Portal. Each student receives a username and a password by email before the first class; no Google account is needed.

The student portal contains:

• Classwork, homework and supplementary materials for each week
• The link to the live class (it stays the same throughout the year)
• Homework that is checked the moment it is submitted, with the chance to try again, and a raised hand that tells the teacher what to go over next

Parents and guardians have their own Parent Portal, which shows attendance, each week's homework and quiz scores, time spent and progress over the year.

9 Program Schedule & First Day

The Avatar Learning Center academic program consists of 34 weeks of instruction, September to June, across two semesters: grades K to 3 meet twice a week for an hour, grade 4 and up once a week for two hours. Because each class builds directly on the previous one, we encourage families to commit for the full academic year to get the best results.

For students who miss a session, we provide access to class materials, homework, and if needed, additional tutoring support to help them catch up.

10 Attendance & Absences

Regular attendance is essential to your child's progress. Each session builds on what came before, and frequent absences can significantly slow a student's development.

Notifying Us of an Absence

If your child will miss a class, please notify the teacher by email as soon as possible, ideally before the class begins. All materials for missed sessions remain available in the student portal.

Late Arrivals

If your child will be late, please inform the teacher in advance. Late students should join the session as quietly as possible to avoid disrupting classmates. Late arrivals are recorded with attendance and shown in the parent portal, and frequent tardiness may affect the student's participation assessment.

Make-Up Sessions

Every student has three 30-minute one-on-one sessions each semester, booked from the student portal, which can be used for help with a topic or as make-ups for missed classes. Beyond those, contact the administration office; additional sessions may carry a fee and are not guaranteed.

11 Student Conduct Expectations

All individuals — students and staff alike — are expected to treat everyone in the Avatar Learning Center community with respect and kindness. Maintaining a positive, welcoming environment is essential to effective learning.

If a student violates a conduct policy, they may be removed from the virtual classroom and a parent or guardian will be notified promptly. In serious cases, a student may be asked to withdraw from the program. Disciplinary decisions are made at the sole discretion of Avatar Learning Center.

12 Parent/Guardian Support

The Avatar Learning Center program thrives because of the active involvement of our families. Here is how you can help your child succeed:

• Help your child connect to class on time so the session can start without interruption
• Ensure homework and any required materials are completed and ready before class
• Provide a notebook, pencils, and any other supplies requested in the welcome email
• Make sure your child has adequate time in their schedule to complete homework with genuine effort
• If your child asks for help with homework, guide their thinking rather than providing direct answers — if they are stuck, encourage them to bring the question to their teacher at the start of the next session
• Check in regularly with your child about their experience and communicate any concerns to us early

13 Homework

Students receive a homework assignment after every class, with limited exceptions on major test days or holidays. Homework is an integral part of the program — it reinforces the lesson and helps students develop a deep, clear understanding of how to arrive at an answer, not just what the answer is.

Estimated homework time: 30 minutes to 1 hour per session, depending on the student.

Homework is in the student portal, where each answer is checked the moment it is submitted and a wrong answer can be tried again. Students are still expected to work through problems on paper — online tools should not replace written practice. Students should bring their paper-based work to each lesson. For questions on a specific assignment, contact the student's teacher by email.

14 Student Progress

Avatar Learning Center monitors each student's progress throughout the year through class participation, homework, quizzes and assignments. Teachers and administrators will reach out proactively if there are any concerns about a student's performance.

15 Cancellation & Refund Policy

If you wish to withdraw your child for any reason — or if a student is withdrawn due to misconduct — the following policy applies. All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing via email.

New Students

If a written cancellation notice is received before the 3rd lesson, the first two lessons are treated as a trial period and all tuition will be fully refunded. After the 3rd lesson, new students are considered continuing students and the continuing-student policy applies.

Continuing Students — Monthly Payment Plan

Cancellations require 30 days advance written notice. Any payment submitted as of the notice or withdrawal date is nonrefundable. A final payment may be required to cover any remaining classes between the notice date and the last scheduled class date.

Continuing Students — Two-Installment & Annual Payment Plans

Payments already made will be applied to the months attended at monthly plan rates. Any remaining balance will be refunded as the difference between total payments received and the sum of monthly rates for the months attended.