Clonlara School is an accredited private school founded in 1967 that offers a flexible, student-directed homeschool program for K-12 students, providing official transcripts, diplomas, and personalized advisor support.
What is Clonlara School?
Clonlara School is one of America's oldest alternative education institutions, founded by Dr. Pat Montgomery in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Their Off-Campus Program supports homeschool families worldwide with a student-led approach that allows children to pursue their interests while receiving accredited documentation. Unlike traditional umbrella schools that require specific curricula, Clonlara lets families design their own educational path with guidance from assigned advisors. The school holds accreditation from Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA-CESS) and Accreditation International, making their diplomas recognized by colleges and universities globally. They currently serve over 2,000 students across 70+ countries.
Key Takeaways
- Accredited K-12 program with recognized diplomas accepted by colleges worldwide
- Off-Campus Program costs $1,270/year for K-8 and $1,715/year for grades 9-12
- No required curriculum—families create personalized learning plans with advisor support
- Services available in six languages with students in over 70 countries
Program Options
Clonlara offers several pathways depending on your family's needs. The Off-Campus Program provides the flexibility most homeschoolers want—you choose curriculum, set the schedule, and your assigned advisor helps document everything for transcripts. For families near Ann Arbor, their physical campus offers multiage classrooms with low student-teacher ratios. Online courses are available for grades 6-12, including AP options at $695 per half-credit. There's also a Short-Term Enrollment Program for students who need temporary independent study while enrolled elsewhere. This flexibility extends to international students; Clonlara is SEVIS-certified and can issue F-1 visa documentation.
The Full Circle Learning Model
What sets Clonlara apart is their proprietary Full Circle Learning approach. Rather than starting with predetermined subjects and textbooks, learning begins with the student's questions and curiosities. Children formulate what they want to explore, then discover answers through resources that match their interests. This isn't unschooling without structure—advisors help families create learning plans and ensure academic progress. The model works particularly well for students who don't thrive in traditional settings: athletes, artists, gifted learners, those with learning differences, or families who travel extensively.
Costs and Financial Aid
College Preparation
A common concern with alternative programs is college acceptance. Clonlara's accreditation addresses this directly. Their transcripts document each student's unique educational journey while meeting the format colleges expect. High school students can take AP courses online, and advisors help families understand how to present homeschool experiences to admissions officers. The school has a long track record of students gaining admission to competitive universities. That said, families should still verify specific requirements with target colleges, as some institutions request additional documentation from homeschooled applicants regardless of accreditation status.
The Bottom Line
Clonlara School fills a specific niche in the homeschool world: families who want official accreditation and documentation without sacrificing the freedom to direct their own education. The pricing is reasonable compared to other accredited programs, and the student-led philosophy works well for self-motivated learners. If your child thrives with structure and clear curriculum guidelines, Clonlara's open approach might feel too unstructured. But for families seeking flexibility with the backup of recognized credentials, it's worth serious consideration—especially given their 55+ years of experience navigating the homeschool landscape.
