I've read before that many of you plan to hs through high school. I just was curious what your plans are exactly. Do you plan to do it all yourself, do it yourself and add in classes here and there, enroll in an online school, do dvd courses or what. I ask this because about once a month I have this discussion with my family. I typically say that we'll just have to see what happens. I guess deep down I'm thinking we'll probably be either enrolled in some online school or something. DH is probably thinking more along the lines of a private school. I will have to see when the time comes is all I can say. I will keep hs until I feel it's not working or something might work better for us. KWIM? :?:
My oldest will be 11. IF she were in public school, she'd be starting middle school this year. I have no desire to waste all my hard work by sending her to a public school, and we simply can't afford a private one. Plus my DSS went to a Chsitian middle school, and looking back, I wish I had the guts to HS him at the time. We've pretty much "lost" him, and, while he's responsible for his own dumb choices, the school sure didn't help. He chose to socialize with the "wrong" kids. I've a lot of friends that HS through middle/high school, and there are lots of options out there. There are classes offered in this area for older kids, on-line courses, and internships available if you look for them. The big ting is to network with others that teach their older kids. I might add also that I DO have a friend that has a unique approach to teaching her kids. They are homeschooled through grade 4, then in Christian school for 5-8, then put in a public high school. This family feels that, since we need to be "in the world, but not of the world", their kids need to relate to the world in general. They feel this approach best gets them ready for the "real world". Not what I would chose, but they feel it's best for their family.
So, Jackie, does that mean you'll be homeschooling through hs with the help of classes and hs groups? I love this idea as well. Just want to make sure my kids get all that they need for college.
I intend on hs'ing through high school. We want a big family(5 children) so we'll have to see what happens! :wink: I think we'd probably reach out in the community for classes offered; family members with gifts in certain subjects (like my Mom is a genious in math(as in calculus an trig.)); hs groups, etc.
Missy, I honestly don't know. I am guessing that I'll probably do a class here and there. I've a good friend who teaches the Chemestry class. She's an excellent teacher, and I know my daughter would benefit from here eventually. It's just a matter of taking the time to see what all options there are, and making a decion based on that. Keep in mind, that these classes DO cost, but they are often run almost like a college class. You go to class one or two days a week, and then have LOTS of outside assignments that you have to be responsible to keep up on. I think that responsibility in itself is a good thing for our kids to learn.
Hmm, my first reply didn't "take". Anyway, we're planning to hs through high school. Not sure what the future holds, but we will probably do most of the teaching and supplement with DVDs or tutors for subjects we need help with. Blessings,
In most states, Community colleges allow hs aged students to enroll. Some states will take any age, others want them to be 16 or have passed the GED if they aren't adults. DH teaches at the local CC. He sees several hsed kids every year. They all do very well in his classes. Our state (FL) allows students to apply courses taken at the college to apply toward HS graduation and as college credit AT THE SAME TIME. That includes the remedial math and english courses that are basicaly at the hs level. Florida also has something called Florida Online High School. Which was designed originally for students who have failed a class but don't have room in their schedule to re-take it or for students who need a class that they couldn't get. Lots of HS students take one or two classes that way, too. If your child might be interested in Sports, Band, Cheer, etc., you might also look into whether or not your state allows hsed students to partially enroll in high school classes. My son enrolled in Band only and that allowed him to attend school dances, go to football games, be in the yearbook etc. If you are looking for a "real" diploma, but still want to teach him at home, try looking into a program like North Atlantic Regional Schools. They will let you submit any mix of ps, hs, cc courses towards a high school diploma. http://www.narhs.org/
A a word of warning about community colleges. We have one here in town, and it works closely with the local high schools. DH, as a high school teacher, is being pushed to encouraging his students to take classes there "for college credit". But DH found out the kids only get credit IF they enroll THERE, and IF they attend for at least four sememsters (or quarters? Whatever!) Usually, many students will take the first year or two at the community college and then transfer to a 4 Year school; these credits WILL NOT transfer. He says that for most of his students, it's not worth it. Again, it may be different where you live. Just check into it carefully to be sure what you're getting. And there ARE some kids it'd be a great deal for.
Jackie... I did not know that, I thought the credits transferred :shock: I know of some hsers here who are doing that very thing.. I know whatever we are doing, we will stay homeschooling through the high school years.. Homeschooling is growing more and more,and hard telling what options/group/colleges will be available by the time my kids get that age. I know there is a local christian school that seeks our homeschoolers vigorously to participate in their sports and even take a class or two. They have posted several times on our area forum and are always saying *telling us how we can help*. I have not looked into it since its so far off, but our local group is going to be starting a 6 many varsity football team.. So they don't seem to be lacking for anything.. :wink: I also know that Texas Tech University has a homeschooling section and offer homeschooling curriculum (via Texas Standards) through high school. Any combination of methods would be considered. I know for sure, i would hire, maybe for my first son, one of those newly rising businesses consisting of college graduated homeschoolers who advice and hold the parents and students hand through high school and college. They are young christian men and women who still were able to do missionary work or some sort of ministry while they got their education. Well we say we would for sure, but dh seems to think that would be a another good option.. It sounds a little scary now, but so did 4th and 5th grade when I was teaching Prek/K :lol: Well, OK..high school seems a lot scary :lol: Good thing about it, we won't be going it alone
Tina, it may be different where you're at. This particular community college has somehow worked out an agreement with the local school district. We've several really good colleges/universities/tech schools in the area, but it's the only one the schools push. Except for DH! He encourages his kids to take classes at DeVry. It's a tech school that places its graduates in high level tech jobs at top-name business nationwide, because it has such a strong reputation. DH will take classes himself to keep up on what's changing in the field. But go figure! They are undergrad credits, so he can't use them officially for certificate renewal or anything. But he CAN use grad classes from somewhere else that has nothing to do with what he teaches :roll: . (Oh, this community college is also refered to "Columbus Continuing High School", or some such, because its classes are often EASIER than what you get in the high schools, LOL!)
Well, even when dh and I were in college (in the early 90's) there were classes that didn't transfer from one south GA college to one up near home. I never understood that. I thought what a waste of time taking that class and doing all the work for it not to transfer (for dh). Oh well. Each school is different and has their own ideas about things I guess.
YIKES!!! DH is in the thick of finals week and he comes home shaking his head because of students who refuse to understand that college is HARDER than hs. They come to his office and say "I don't really need to take notes" or "Gee, I studied a whole hour last night, why didn't I pass?" Schools who dumb down their expectations are doing their students no favor. Good for your DH for refering his students to a better school.
Missy, when I was in college, I was planning on trasfering from a small Christain university to a State School after two years and was very careful to take classes that would transfer. (They tried to tell me I "needed" Holy Spirit and Bible Survey!) I took a humanities class that, in two sememsters, went from pre-Greek and Roman up to Oliver Cromwell in England. We covered political institutions, art and aesthetics, literature and drama, economics.....I think six different areas. So when I transfered, they told me I would need a Eurpean History class! I went in and argued with them, telling them all that we had studied in Humanities, listing all these different areas. And this idiot of a lady looked me straight in the eye and asked, "But did you study HISTORY?" Isn't all that what makes up history????
Good point! If you aren't going to finish a degree, but want to transfer to another school, be sure to talk to a counselor at the school you are planning to transfer to so you are sure all the classes you take will transfer with you. Also be sure to keep a copy of the class description from the catalogue. Just in case. Nobody ever wants to take your word for anything. An official school publication carries more weight.
