Will this count? Do we get a transcript?
Yes — at every level. Bonfire tracks hours and credits for every course your teen completes, and you get a transcript you can hand to a college, a trade program, or a state. One hundred and twenty hours is one credit, and the tracker does the math for you. This is a real high school, not a club. It is just one your teen will actually want to go to.
Where does Bonfire Academy take place?
Everything is on Skool — a private online platform. It is simple to use. Your teen logs in, attends live classes, connects with classmates, and accesses all their materials in one place. You do not need any other tools or software.
How much time does this take each week?
The Bonfire day is Monday — four classes back to back, noon to 4. Co-Op classes run Tuesday through Friday and your teen takes the ones that fit their year. Independent project work adds another 3 to 5 hours across the week. Most families budget 8 to 10 hours total. Because the Bonfire day is only Monday, your teen still has plenty of time for a part-time job, other activities, or family responsibilities.
Can my teen join in the middle of the year?
Yes. Level 1 and Level 2 are built to be joined any week — the course of study starts where your teen is, and live classes take new students every week. The only thing your teen might wait a few weeks on is a book club that is mid-book. The Inner Circle is the exception: it is by application and opens as seats open.
What do I get as the parent?
You get a quarterly parent update where Becky Stromsdorfer shares how your teen is growing and what to expect in the coming months. You are also welcome inside the Skool community to watch, encourage, and stay connected.
Is this faith-based?
Yes. The whole program is built on the belief that every teen has God-given gifts worth discovering and developing. Christian worldview, stewardship, servant leadership, and purposeful living are woven throughout. Families of all backgrounds are welcome, but this is not a neutral program — faith matters here.
What if my teen is shy or introverted?
The small class size — just 10 teens — is the reason this works for introverts. There is no hiding in a 200-person Zoom. Everyone is seen. Becky Stromsdorfer personally calls on, encourages, and invests in every student. The class is designed to build confidence gradually, not throw anyone in the deep end on day one.
My teen has never done anything like this. Will they be behind?
No. Every class starts from the beginning. Semester 1 assumes no prior business, finance, or philosophy knowledge. Your teen does not need experience. They just need to show up and be willing to learn.
What if my teen needs help with regular schoolwork?
That's what the Help Desk is for. Twice a week, a live tutor is online for drop-in help with any subject — math, English, science, essays — not just Bonfire coursework. No booking, no extra fees. It's included with your enrollment.
Is this a monthly subscription I can cancel anytime?
The Co-Op and Bonfire Academy are month to month — join any week, stay as long as they are working for your teen, leave any time. The Inner Circle is different, and we want to be upfront about that. It is a 9-month commitment, because when you enroll you are reserving one of only 10 seats and a standing weekly appointment with Becky. That seat could have gone to another family, so there are no mid-program cancellations. We ask every family to be certain before applying.
