Thanks, G5052. I too noticed the name you mentioned, as well as the fact that the rest of the staff seems very young. In addition, they use Rosetta Stone for Latin, which isn't what I understand to be a classical approach to Latin. My only interest was in a class called "Political Literature," but since the school seems so new, I figured that any information about it would be helpful. I was thinking in terms of "Is the class good or not so good?" so I appreciate the reminder that "horrible" is a distinct possibility.

Is anyone familiar with Williamsburg Academy for online classes? Opinions? TIA

Do not go to the interview. If the drive to the U will take long enough that your daughter would like your company on the trip there, then make sure that you and your daughter part ways before she approaches the building where the interview is held. While she is in the interview, use the time to explore the campus or sit and have a cup of coffee. When the interview is over, your daughter can meet you at the table where you are relaxing with your cup of coffee. Good luck to your daughter!

Bravo!

A UC grad spoke to our homeschool support group about this topic several years ago. I will look for the notes I took because the information is still relevant. Is there a particular reason your dc is looking at a UC? Major? Proximity to home? As you know, cost is no longer such an attraction. I got my undergraduate degree from a UC, yet I am not especially planning to steer my dc in that direction. I am asking because the UCs are less flexible than private colleges because of the a-g requirements, so you will have to tailor your homeschool to meet those requirements or prepare your dc to test out of them. If a particular major, etc. makes UC important it can be worth it. For the most part, top schools look for the equivalent of the a-g requirements, but I think the UC may be less flexible regarding what curriculum you use to meet those requirements. If dc child has a particular UC campus in mind, contacting the admissions office is the best suggestion I can give you. Hopefully I will find my notes. In the meanwhile, HTH.

Janice, As frustrating as the experience has been for your kids, you rightly observed that they have learned the valuable skill of documenting everything. This is a vital skill in the working world, so perhaps it will ease their frustration to know that something good has come from their negative experience. When they enter the professional world, their "c. your b." files may one day spare them from being thrown under the bus by a colleague. HTH.

We have discussed both sides since my children were very young. Answers In Genesis, the Institute for Creation Research, and the writings of Dr. Jason Lisle have been valuable resources for us. HTH.

If it has a webpage similar to this one http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Public/Pamphlets/BecomingALawyer.aspx your son can begin his investigation there. Some other recommendations for your son: Develop excellent writing and analysis skills. If he can develop those skills in high school by studying logic, getting involved with debate or public speaking, and writing expository and persuasive essays he won't have to learn them in college. Instead, he can hone them within the context of his major or in other college classes. For college he should earn the best grades that he can. A business or economics major might interest him, as might a computer science or other STEM major. Majoring in English is excellent preparation, but in today's world I would choose the STEM or business major and try to develop the language and analysis skills as much as possible before college. Your son will be required to take the Law School Admissions Test, so as the time nears he should begin studying and taking practice tests or prep courses for that because he will want to score as high as possible. I practiced law for 20 years and found it to be a very rewarding career. My best wishes to you and you son!

The Common Core Standards series came out after I obtained the original Discovering Mathematics 1 for dss' 7th grade year, so I e-mailed SM with some questions. Here is Jenny's response to me for anyone who is interested: "The new edition has a little more added on absolute value equations or evaluating absolute value expressions. There is some change in language, i.e. indices to exponents. Some topics are rearranged between the two levels. Derivation of the formula for area and circumference of a circle was included as that is not a Common Core Standard for 6th grade (though it is in the Primary Mathematics 6). Dot plots, which is for some reason the only graphical representation of data in Common Core Standards 7th grade, was expanded on and moved down from 8th grade and histograms moved from 7th to 8th grade. Probability of combined events was added to 7th grade. There is a scope and sequence comparing the two editions here: http://www.singaporemath.com/Scope_and_Sequence_s/120.htm Please note, though, that some of the topics covered are NOT on common core standards. Common core standards assume algebra 1 in 9th grade. Discovering Mathematics covers much more algebra than Common Core Standards, and still does. So it goes beyond Common Core Standards, and would not be a choice for a school that wanted to stick to only Common Core Standards. I don't think the issue will be gaps, unless your student must take yearly tests. In which case, proportions is taught in 2A but is now in 8B. Proportions is a 7th grade common core standard. It is taught in Singapore in 6th grade, though, and expanded on to inverse proportions in 8th grade. So that chapter got moved down to 7th grade (inverse proportions is still in it, though that is not a common core standard.) A review of proportions from Primary Mathematics 6th grade would more than cover the expectations in Common Core Standards. But, as with current tests, I expect there will be plenty of test prep books available for any tests based on Common Core Standards that would provide review as well. The issue will probably not be gaps, but the need to go back to simpler material just before any standardized tests, and doing a review for what might appear on the test."

It sounds like you talked to them about the problems with website. They should have offered you help of some kind. Also, have you asked your Essentials Director for help?

A few years ago, when I was trying to set up Spanish classes for homeschoolers, a language professor at a nearby U told me about free Italian classes offered by the Italian Embassy. The embassy was willing to provide a free classes to any students that were interested, as long as the class met the minimum number of students (I can't recall what that number was). I don't know if they still have the program, or if it would interest your son, but I thought I'd pass on the bit of info that I have since it sounds like a wonderful opportunity. For anyone that's interested, a call to the Italian Embassy would be the first step to find out it the program is still available.

I am planning ahead for high school. Has anyone used College Prep or College Plus? If so, please tell me as much as you can about these programs. TIA.

Our charter school offers online classes through Advanced Academics. The school's website describes Advance Academics as "rigorous." I am thinking of enrolling one ds in Middle School Study Skills and Algebra 1 and one ds in Middle School Study Skills and Pre-Algebra 1. Has any one had experience with Advanced Academics? TIA for any info you can share.

One of them was on a panel of homeschool graduates who spoke to our support group about life after homeschool. He was intelligent, articulate and humble, and he had a good sense of humor. More impressively, he has gone on to graduate as a person who has a passion for life long learning. He reads and studies for self edification. His parents are intelligent, humble and compassionate people who have spoken very highly of PHC and have sent their second son there. They said that PHC is more generous with financial aid than is Biola University, another well regarded Christian school. They did mention that there was a dress code (business casual) but I don't know what that is for girls. HTH.

I'll be thinking about my planning vs. transcript needs as I look into these options.

To those of you who use a homeschool planning or record keeping system, which one do you use and why? TIA.

I signed them up for the Middle School program, but on the first day they tested at high school level for reading speed and comprehension. The teacher moved them to the high school class and it was beneficial for them. I don't think it would have been worth the money if they had to stay in the Middle School class, though. Given your concern about dyslexia, I agree that the money would be better spent addressing that specific issue with either a professional assessment or individual tutoring. Also, the cost of the class is about the same as paying for the same number of reading sessions at a tutoring center so consider that too before spending the money. HTH.

Bible and fun for the kids. Totally camp moments thrown in for the parents!

Dss, almost 12, just started WWS. The instructions say the student should first write out five or six phrases or sentences, for example, then combine them into two or three sentences, and then read the sentences out loud before writing them down. Dss have been writing nice narrative summaries by skipping straight to the final sentences. It seems that they don't need to write the phrases first, or read the sentences out loud. Are they missing any benefit from the WWS approach if they skip these steps? They may need to include them when the assignments become longer, but right now those steps don't seem necessary. What has the rest of the hive experienced? TIA.

If you have any you can share I'd be much obliged!

From page one on.

I am thinking of buying these as a supplement, not a curriculum. Has anyone viewed these DVDs? I know they combine anatomy/physiology and Christian world view. I would like to hear from those who have actually viewed the DVDs. How much of the DVDs are anatomy/ physiology instruction and how much is worldview? If you are able to assign percentages, that would be helpful to me. I also welcome any other comments based on your viewing of the DVDs. TIA

I am thinking of buying these as a supplement, not a curriculum. Has anyone viewed these DVDs? I know they combine anatomy/physiology and Christian world view. I would like to hear from those who have actually viewed the DVDs. How much of the DVDs are anatomy/ physiology instruction and how much is worldview? If you are able to assign percentages, that would be helpful to me. I also welcome any other comments based on your viewing of the DVDs. TIA

Dh's grandfather was a Lutheran theologian who helped establish the Lutheran Bible Institute. I think I will order this for dh. Thanks again!

He must: Get into college. That means: Score well on the SAT/ACT. Earn a good GPA. Show prospective colleges the extra-curriculars of a serious student. Get into law school. That means: Earn a good college GPA. Score well on the LSAT. Show prospective law schools the extra-curriculars of a serious student. Get through law school. That means: Study, study, study. Pass the bar exam. That means: Study, study, study. Beat out a glut of competition for a diminishing number of jobs in order to find employment in law. Beat out the most elite applicants from the best law schools to land a job in his chosen legal specialty, constitutional law. Then ask him if he thinks he can accomplish all this with his current habits. Good luck. I hope you can light a fire under this kid. HTH