Could you tell me what you know about Abeka vs BJU? I am considering placing my oldest in a private school next year, because he wants to continue with basketball and soccer. Both of those programs stop in the community for 7th grade and higher, only being available if the child is in a school. Louisiana does not make schools accept HS kids into their extracurricular activities. The two schools I am considering use one of the two curriculums, Abeka or BJU. As I know the school version should be nearly the same as the HS versions of these curriculums, I am wondering what everyone's experiences were with these. My other question has to do with the amount of Christian teachings that are in both. As much as I want my kids to learn certain values, I really do not think bible verses need to be in the middle of a math lesson. This is why I have leaned more toward secular materials myself. I have wanted to teach them my beliefs and not someone elses. If that makes sense? Thanks for any input.
Have you asked the private school if they'll let homeschoolers play on their sports team ? A local private school here will allow homeschoolers to play JV and Varsity sports for them (if they're good enough to make the team, of course). Abeka and BJU are both good programs (although I haven't used either fully but bits and pieces from each). I haven't used either for math so I don't know about Bible verses in math (although my kids use Horizons and they sometimes solve puzzles that have Biblical themes...but other secular math programs do the same thing just without the Biblical answer). I'm sure others who have used them more extensively will chime in....just wanted to mention that some private schools will let homeschoolers participate. Rhonda
There is a private school that permits homeschoolers to play. Unfortunately, they are in the bordering parish and only permit students from within their parish.
One of our private schools allows homeschoolers to participate but they have to be enrolled in at least two classes. This isn't their rule but the rule of the ???? that organizes the games throughout the state. The private school plays state wide and against all schools that participate, so homeschoolers have to take so many classes to be considered part of the program. I have used both A Beka and Bob Jones. Their Language/English, Math, Reading, History, Science; basically everything, have Christian teachings through out, not on every page, but many of them. If I remember correctly, I think A Beka has more.
Have you actually gotten in touch with your school board? While the laws might not MAKE them allow hs'ers, some might not have a problem with it. I have read about this before because both of the "papaws" were very worried about sports with my son when we chose to hs. I did research and found that even in states where it isn't forced inclusion that sometimes school boards will make exceptions. It's at least worth a shot!
Personally, I wouldn't consider either curriculum if you're not a fundamentalist Christian. They are both very religious not just in terms of bible quotes but in terms of how they present both history and science. If you'd rather secular material I think you'd be put off by both. That exactly why most of us, Christian or not, homeschool.
Okay I can tell you about abeka but not Bob Jones. We have been doing full abeka with my dd who is in grade 9 for the past 5 years. It is christian based but it does also teach you about the other beliefs. Last year my dd did a huge research paper on evolution/Darwin. They want you to know and understand all areas not just Christian. It is incorporated into the language arts, science and history. Math not so much. My dd would love to be in a private abeka school, but their isn't one in our area.
We're using BJUP English, and have since the beginning. There are verses here and there, and sometimes the writing assugnment examples are of Christian nature, but it's not overbearing at all.
