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Virtual Startup Academy
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FAQ

Questions & answers

Everything parents and educators tend to ask. Don't see your question? Reach out.

Getting Started

Who is this program for?

Homeschool families, co-ops, and any parent who wants a real, hands-on alternative to lecture-and-test learning. No business background is needed — courses are designed for beginners, both the student and the parent teaching it.

Do I need a business background to teach this?

No. Every course is written step by step, from the first lesson to the final pitch, so a parent with zero entrepreneurship experience can run it with confidence. If you can read a lesson plan out loud, you can teach this course.

How does it work — do I need to sign up for a class?

There's no class to join. Buy a course, download it instantly, and start teaching whenever you're ready. You control the pace, the schedule, and how deep you go.

What ages and grade levels is this for?

There's an Elementary program for younger students and a full High School sequence. Siblings or mixed-grade groups can often work through a course together — age gaps matter far less in these projects than they do in core subjects.

Curriculum & Projects

What kind of projects do students actually build?

Real ones. Students design a fundraiser, launch a small business concept, put together a consulting plan, or pitch an original idea — depending on the course. Every project ends with something tangible: an event plan, a business pitch, a portfolio piece.

What skills will students learn?

Leadership and initiative come first. Content skills include marketing, finance, budgeting, product design, planning and scheduling, presentation and pitch skills, idea generation, and sales. Electives add graphic design and video production.

What will students be able to do when they finish a course?

They'll have hands-on experience envisioning, planning, and pitching a real venture — practical, real-world skills that most students never get in a traditional classroom.

Is there a set order to take the courses in?

The core Entrepreneurship sequence builds skills progressively, so most families start there. Electives (like Design a Fundraiser or Plan a Party) are open to any age and can be taken on their own or alongside the sequence.

Teaching It Yourself

What does a typical lesson look like?

No tests, no lectures, no worksheets to grade. Each lesson walks the student through a real task tied to their project, with clear instructions and prompts for you to guide the conversation — not deliver a lecture.

How much prep work is required before each session?

Very little. Materials are written to be read and taught in the moment, not studied in advance. Skim the lesson beforehand if you like, but you don't need to become an expert first.

How much homework is there?

Generally none. Students accomplish more working through the project during dedicated session time than doing worksheets alone. Some choose to keep building things like marketing materials between sessions.

Logistics

How long does a course take?

Flexible. A course can be completed in as little as 36 instructional hours, or expanded up to 90 for deeper immersion — you set the pace and schedule.

What's included when I download a course?

The full lesson sequence, project instructions and templates, and everything needed to teach it — no separate purchases or subscriptions required.

Is the content aligned to standards?

Yes. Units and lessons are built on California CTE standards and aligned with ELA and Math standards wherever possible. Each project lists the standards it covers.

Still have questions?

We're happy to help you figure out if the program is a good fit.

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