Legal

Privacy Policy

Last updated: July 30, 2026

This Privacy Policy describes how Gray Matter Technologies LLC (“we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, and shares information when you use our marketing website and the Ascendant Family Learning application (“Ascendant”), including Ascendant Journal and Ascendant Assistant.

By using the service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

1. Who We Are

Ascendant Family Learning (“Ascendant”) is a multi-tenant software service operated by Gray Matter Technologies LLC that helps families track and plan home education. Ascendant Journal supports logging, records, and portfolios. Ascendant Assistant provides optional planning, Knowledge Tree, and suggestion features. Household data is isolated between customers.

2. Information We Collect

Depending on how you use the service, we may collect or process:

Account information (name, email address, username, and authentication data)
Household and student profile information you choose to enter
Instruction logs, weekly plans, uploads (including photos), portfolios, and related education records
Optional Knowledge Tree progress and assessment responses when you use Ascendant Assistant
Technical information needed to operate and secure the service (such as IP address, browser type, device information, and timestamps)
Billing and subscription information (plan tier, payment-provider references) when paid plans are active
Waitlist or contact information you voluntarily submit
Communications you send us

3. How We Use Information

We use the information we collect to:

Provide, maintain, secure, and improve the service
Authenticate users and protect accounts
Send transactional messages (such as verification, password reset, and household invitations)
Process subscriptions, changes, and cancellations through our payment provider
Generate optional AI-powered suggestions when you use Ascendant Assistant features
Respond to your requests and communicate with you about the service
Comply with applicable law and enforce our Terms of Service

4. Household Isolation

Customer households are separated in the application. Only members you invite can access your household’s data, according to the roles you assign. Other customers cannot access your household’s records.

5. AI Features (Ascendant Assistant)

When you use optional Ascendant Assistant features, limited information you provide (such as relevant student notes, recent activity, and Knowledge Tree context) may be sent to our AI subprocessor to generate suggestions.

Parent or guardian approval is required before any suggestion becomes part of a committed plan.
Ascendant does not use AI to replace your curriculum decisions or automatically sequence learning.
Do not submit information you are not comfortable having processed for the purpose of generating suggestions.

6. Billing and Payments

When paid plans are enabled, payment card details are processed by our payment provider. We do not store full payment card numbers on our servers. Plan tier and related subscription identifiers are stored with your household account. In development or demo environments, billing may be simulated without real charges.

7. Sharing of Information

We do not sell your personal information.

We share information only with service providers (subprocessors) that help us operate the service, such as:

Hosting and infrastructure providers
Transactional email delivery providers
Payment processors
AI model providers (currently Grok by xAI) for Ascendant Assistant features

These providers are permitted to process information only as needed to perform services on our behalf and under appropriate agreements.

We may also disclose information if required by law; to protect the rights, safety, or security of Ascendant, our users, or others; or in connection with a business transfer (such as a merger or acquisition).

8. Data Storage and Location

We store and process service data in the United States.

9. Retention

We retain information for as long as your account is active and as reasonably necessary to provide the service, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. When information is no longer needed, we will delete or anonymize it in accordance with our retention practices, subject to legal requirements.

10. Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards designed to protect information against unauthorized access, loss, or alteration. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

11. Your Choices and Rights

You may:

Access and update certain account and household information through the application
Control which household members have access and what roles they hold
Request deletion of your account and associated data, subject to legal retention obligations
Opt out of non-transactional/marketing communications by following the instructions in those messages or contacting us

To exercise these choices or make a privacy-related request, contact us using the information in the Contact section below. We will respond in accordance with applicable law.

12. Children’s Privacy

The service is intended for use by parents and guardians to manage education records. Student profiles and related data are created and controlled by adult household members. We do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children for marketing purposes or enable children to create independent accounts outside of adult household control.

13. Cookies and Similar Technologies

We use essential cookies and similar technologies necessary for authentication, security, preferences (such as theme), and core operation of the site and application. Any optional analytics tools are used only when configured and, where required, will be subject to appropriate notice or consent mechanisms.

14. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will post the updated policy on this page and change the “Last updated” date. If we make material changes, we will provide additional notice as appropriate (such as by email or an in-product notification). Your continued use of the service after the effective date of an updated policy constitutes acceptance of the changes.

15. Contact

For privacy-related questions or requests, contact us at hello@ascendantfamilylearning.com or through the contact page.

Educational disclaimer. Ascendant helps families organize learning and keep records. It does not provide legal advice or guarantee compliance with any state or country requirements. You remain responsible for understanding and meeting applicable rules.