Your family already chose Blue Ridge Academy because you wanted a personalized plan instead of a one-size-fits-all school day. But a personalized plan still needs real classes, taught by real teachers, to fill it. That is where Branches Learning comes in, and this guide walks you through exactly how to get started as a Blue Ridge Academy family.
If you have not read our overview of how Branches Learning supports Blue Ridge families, that is a good place to start for background. This post picks up from there and focuses on the practical steps: what to do, in what order, and what to expect once your student is enrolled.
What Branches Learning Offers Blue Ridge Families
Branches Learning is an approved vendor for Blue Ridge Academy, which means your homeschool teacher can approve Branches classes and tutoring as part of your student’s independent study plan. Branches offers all core subjects and electives for every grade level, TK through 12, so whether your student requires a full course load or just one class to round out their week, there is likely a fit.
Every class is live and taught online by an experienced teacher. That distinction matters. Students are not clicking through self-paced software on their own. They are learning alongside classmates in small classes, with a teacher who knows their name and can adjust instruction as the class goes. Many classes also use project-based learning, so students build real skills instead of just working through worksheets on a screen.
For Blue Ridge families, Branches functions as a partner, not a separate school. Your student stays enrolled at Blue Ridge Academy, and Branches simply provides the live instruction that fills out their personalized plan for the year.
Step 1: Talk to Your Homeschool Teacher
Before you enroll in anything, start with a conversation with your Homeschool Teacher (HST). Your HST already knows your student’s plan, so they can help you decide which Branches classes make the most sense and confirm how those classes will fit into your student’s overall course of study.
Bring a rough idea of what you are looking for: a subject your student needs extra support in, an elective they have been wanting to try, or a full schedule if this is your family’s first year with Branches. Your HST can help you confirm the right grade level and course load, and they will need to sign off before your order can move forward in Procurify.
Step 2: Browse the Branches Learning Course Catalog
Once you and your HST have a direction, open the Branches Learning course catalog. Browse by grade level and subject, and take note of the specific class titles, since you will need those details when you submit your order.
Course enrollment for the 2026-27 school year opened July 6, so this is a good time to sit down with your student and talk through what interests them. If you are unsure whether a class is the right fit for your student’s grade level or goals, your HST can help you confirm before you move on to the next step.
Step 3: Review the Vendor Information Sheet
Blue Ridge Academy maintains a Vendor Information Sheet specifically for Branches Learning. This document confirms Branches’ approved vendor status, lays out pricing, and outlines what is included with each class or tutoring session.
Reviewing this sheet before you submit an order helps you budget accurately and confirms you are working from current, Blue Ridge Academy-approved pricing. Keep it alongside the course catalog as you finalize your student’s schedule for the year.
Step 4: Enroll Through Procurify
With your classes chosen and pricing confirmed, submit your order through the Blue Ridge Procurify ordering system. Once your order is approved, Blue Ridge Academy places it with Branches Learning on your behalf, and you will receive an email confirmation directly from Branches.
Keep an eye on the enrollment calendar, since classes and tutoring open at different times:
- Course enrollment opened July 6
- Tutoring enrollment opens August 12
- Live classes begin August 24
- Tutoring sessions begin August 31
If your student needs both classes and tutoring, plan to submit those requests separately, since the windows do not open on the same day.
What to Expect in a Branches Learning Class
Once enrollment is complete, plan to join the parent and student orientation on August 18. This is a chance for your student to meet their teacher, see the online classroom, and get comfortable before the first live session.
From there, your student will attend live classes with a small group of classmates, led by a caring teacher who tracks their progress and adjusts instruction as needed. Because classes are live rather than self-paced, your student gets real interaction, real-time feedback, and a genuine relationship with their teacher, not just a login and a checklist.
Your homeschool teacher stays involved throughout the year. Branches coordinates directly with HSTs and holds a dedicated orientation for them as well, so your student’s Branches classes stay connected to their broader independent study plan rather than existing as a separate track.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Branches Learning an approved vendor for Blue Ridge Academy?
Yes. Branches Learning is an approved Blue Ridge Academy vendor, so you can order classes and tutoring through the Blue Ridge Procurify system.
What grade levels and subjects does Branches Learning offer?
Branches offers all core subjects and electives for all grade levels, TK through 12. You can enroll your student in a full schedule of live classes or add just one or two to their existing plan.
Are Branches classes live or self-paced?
Every class is live and taught online by an experienced teacher. Students learn alongside classmates in small classes, not through self-paced software.
When does enrollment open for the 2026-27 school year?
Course enrollment opened July 6, and tutoring enrollment opens August 12. Live classes begin August 24, and tutoring sessions begin August 31.
How do I enroll my student?
Talk with your homeschool teacher, review the Branches course catalog, check pricing in the Blue Ridge Vendor Information Sheet, and submit your order through Procurify. Once approved, Blue Ridge places the order with Branches on your behalf, and you receive an email confirmation from Branches Learning.
Does my homeschool teacher stay involved after I enroll?
Yes. Branches coordinates with families and homeschool teachers throughout the year and holds a dedicated HST orientation before classes begin so your student’s plan stays connected.
Ready to Take the Next Step
The best first move is a short conversation with your homeschool teacher, followed by a look through the course catalog. Note classes that fit your student’s plan, confirm pricing in the Vendor Information Sheet, and you will be ready to enroll now that the window was opened as of July 6.
