Homeschoolers: Will Your Charter School Pay for Music Lessons?
Last updated November 2026
In many cases, yes. Many California families who homeschool through a charter school can use their school’s educational funds for private music lessons. This guide explains how it generally works, what to ask your school, and how lessons work with Allemande Music Academy.
How charter school educational funds work
Many California charter schools with homeschool or independent study programs set aside educational funds for each enrolled student. Families can often use these funds for curriculum, classes and enrichment, and that can include private music lessons.
Every school sets its own rules. The amount, what it covers and how you request it differ from school to school and can change from year to year, so your school is always the best source of current information.
What is a vendor?
A vendor is a business or instructor that a charter school has approved to be paid from these funds. Schools usually keep their own list of approved vendors, and families choose from that list. Many schools pay the vendor directly, so the lessons are arranged through the school. Others handle it differently, so ask how yours works.
Lessons paid for by a charter school must be non-sectarian.
How to ask your charter school
Start with the teacher who works with your family. Some schools call this person an education specialist or facilitator. These questions are a good place to begin:
- Can my student’s educational funds be used for private music lessons?
- How much is available this school year, and are there limits on lessons per month or semester?
- Is Allemande Music Academy an approved vendor? If not, can the school add us?
- How do I request lessons, and how far ahead should I ask?
- Does the school need anything from the teacher, such as progress notes?
How Allemande works with your school
- Purchase orders. Your school issues a purchase order (PO) for your lessons. Monthly PO amounts are calculated by determining the number of lessons that will occur in the month and then multiplying that number by the lesson price.
- Monthly lessons. Students have one-on-one lessons through the month, and many choose 30-minute or 45-minute weekly lessons. Piano/keyboard and violin are taught in your home, at a teacher’s studio, or online. Voice and flute are taught at a teacher’s studio or online only. Guitar is taught online only.
- If funds don’t cover a lesson. A lesson can go unpaid if funds run out or a PO request is late. In that case, we kindly ask that parents pay for the lesson.
You can read the details in our charter school policy.
Schools we work with
We are an approved vendor for Gorman Charter School, Excel Academy, Sage Oak Charter School, Heartland, Compass Charter School, Golden Valley Charter School, Sky Mountain Charter, IEM Charter Schools, Taylion Charter School, iLEAD Charter Schools. See our charter school policy for details.
Don’t see your school? Please ask. We can often become a vendor, though approval is up to each school.
How to get started
- Ask your school the questions above.
- Fill out our Take Lessons form, and include the name of your charter school.
- We’ll match your student with a great teacher and work with your school on the purchase order.