STEM universities.

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Yet another thing I didn't know about. Oldest DD has been looking at it... she's already pulled in. :)

I wondered how they did it. Doesn't sound good at all.

You really can't go wrong with emphasizing math and classical languages. There are so many things learned through these studies. It's amazing to watch how it all unfolds as they get older. He'll figure out those other areas in his time. :) I am fortunate to see how all of this has coalesced in my daughters, and I am hanging on for dear life (with all too frequent panic attacks and a sense of inadequacy) with DS.

That's great to hear! I'm trying to figure out what's best for all three of my kids, who are each going in so many different directions now. Meanwhile, I'm having some medical problems that I thought would go away but are starting to escalate... so, anyway I don't think I'll be able to teach everything I'd like. Maybe this will work. :)

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Thanks! I sent an email to get some information from them. I wasn't familiar with their program.

I agree. Generally, I think Physics C is taken after Calc, but some kids around here who cannot accelerate in math quickly enough take them concurrently.

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Not Quark, but daughter worked through his materials last summer. In chapter 9, there is some discussion regarding philosophical implications of entropy and what lies ahead "if the laws of thermodynamics have the last word" In Chapter 10, there is discussion of how christians have reacted against the Big Bang Theory. He discusses how big bang is consistent with christian teachings, not contrary to it. But religion is mentioned in that context. That's all she recalls off the top of her head.

Can anyone comment on their experiences with these programs? I need to consider some options for Honors Bio in the event I am not able to teach my DD the content this fall. I have looked at the syllabus for each of the classes mentioned but would really appreciate some BTDT feedback if possible. Thanks! ETA: Honors or Pre-AP would be best, as DD will continue to AP Bio.

If you like LNM, I would stay with it. I have used it with my children, finding it to be a good balance of grammar based instruction and reading opportunities from the outset. My oldest didn't start with it because it was not available, but my younger two have used it from the outset and really enjoy it. Oldest DD is now enrolled at Lukeion in AP Latin and absolutely loves the content and really likes her teacher. I highly recommend their program, but I cannot speak to Latin 1 through 3 there. I am confident Amy does a superb job if you want to go that route. I didn't want my daughter arriving at AP Latin too early, so we did it at home with Bolchazy books (in case you are wondering why we didn't use Lukeion for Latin.)

The timing is a big issue. My daughter spent time prepping for Latin for this reason because of all the minutiae she was distanced from having been doing translation, analysis and writing for a year. In addition, she is very much a global, conceptual learner, so essay exams are much easier than "detail" tests. Based on your advice and Kathy in Richmond's advice, she plans to take Chem immediately before or after (May or June) AP Chem. She has yet to take Physics because she hasn't studied it for a while and knows she'll have to review her materials. All of this is why giving advice gets tough. What works for one kind of student or learner is different than others. Some have a much easier time with detail tests and others with conceptual, essay type tests. If we could afford it, my daughter would prefer to take uni classes and avoid the whole added issue of prepping for a specific test format in addition to mastering the content, which really should be the point IMO. In any case, it really is best to figure out what works for each student so that she can accurately reflect her abilities. For some people, their tremendous ability is not accurately reflected through these types of tests.

What a relief!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I was really dreading piles of paperwork.

For some kids it is a timing issue in terms of juggling numerous other responsibilities. Carving out time to do some prep for the test format itself has to be worked into busy schedules. Kids have varying responsibilities as well as varying expectations for their performance, so it's finding what works for each student and going with it.

Great Courses are outstanding and portable. One that is accessible and provides good background to Western Civ is Foundations of Western Civ by Professor Noble.

Yes, I was basically told that DD should take AP exams because that is what selective schools want to see, more than DE/CC courses. Thankfully, they are less expensive, DC can self-study for many of them. :)

How much validation is required is really a function of the school you are applying to. If tippy-top schools are on the radar, I would validate as much as possible. Some people are offended by certain schools' requirements, and I certainly don't disagree that home-schoolers are sometimes forced to jump through many more hoops (on some level, it gets ridiculous). At the same time, if it's a school my children are interested in, they have to do it. And I want them to do it well before deadline time.

I can tell you what we have done so far and what DD intends to do. I will state up front my oldest daughter (only one to take these so far) tests well and easily, so I haven't hesitated to let her take these sophomore year. SAT II for Latin: took half-way through AP Latin. Currently, this is offered twice per year. She elected to take it in December because she will be taking others in June. That said, she reviewed periodically (1-2 x/ week) over several months for this because of the minutiae-type questions that she had been removed from for some time given Latin 3/4 focus on translation, reading, and analysis. She used REA and reviewed NLE level 3/4 prose and poetry passages available online. SAT II for Math (Math 2): took half-way through Calc BC; did some prep several times/ week from Barron's Math 2 book during the month prior to test. People vary on best time to take this. DD had no problem with Math 2 content at this point. I have no experience with Math 1. SAT II Chem: she will take this either this May immediately before AP exam or in June after AP exam. She will use whatever materials Mr.Moskaluk recommends. Again, the detailed nature of subject tests can make it difficult to excel if you get too far removed in time from the content. SAT II Literature: she will take it this June after her sophomore year. She plans to use Barron's for some prep specific to the test format. She is well versed in literary devices, tropes, schemes, and has read widely and deeply from a young age. Given that, I think after sophomore year is reasonable for kids who are well read and know the devices etc... that you have to memorize. Some others may recommend after junior year but before college app season if their student has not been exposed to this material. SAT II Physics: when she has time to review her Giancoli Physics text (Algebra based text) she used in 9th grade, she will sit for this exam She won't wait until she is done with Physics C to take it, so likely Fall 2015. SAT II History: she will take this either June or Fall 2015 simply because some schools (very few) want five subject tests across five different content areas. We haven't figured out what materials she'll use to prepare, likely Barron's. You may take up to three per sitting. I personally recommend two, as fatigue often sets in by the third exam. One thing to keep in mind about the subject tests for math and science is that many students will take them after AP course work. Having worked beyond the stated scope of the test makes the tough questions much easier to answer correctly and within the time limits. Some students w/o AP course work struggle to finish in the time constraints, and the curve (depending on test) can be brutal. Unless it has recently changed, the subject test in Physics has a more generous curve than Chem, so some kids choose Physics for their science SAT subject test. There are lots of ways to think about which of these to take and so forth. Just pick what's best for your student. For my oldest daughter, she wants to be done with all standardized testing by the end of Fall of her junior year. She will still have annual AP exams but nothing otherwise. In terms of fielding out classes, I did enroll her for Calc BC and Chem because PaH has a longstanding reputation for preparing students to do well on the AP exam. Learning the content is no issue for my daughter; being taught how to answer AP questions College Board style is another matter. Having two other children, I simply could not see myself being able to do that effectively, so she is taking those two classes there. In terms of AP classes, SAT subject tests, and DE, my thoughts based on my understanding are as follows: DD is looking at highly selective schools if, for no other reason, her intent to major in Classics (paired with math or chem). To that end, she is currently taking 4 APs as Sophomore and will take 4-5 as Junior and 3-4 as Senior. She will also have 5 SAT subject tests. For her area of interest (classics), she has 5 years of Greek and 4 years of Latin at this point with supporting test scores. You can certainly eliminate a lot of this depending on schools, and some people live in states with inexpensive dual enrollment options which could be used in lieu of AP exams. We don't live in one of those states, so that option is cost prohibitive for us. The only reason for doing this with my kids is based on their list of prospective schools AND their ability to do these things without sacrificing downtime, personal interests and extracurriculars. I would never do this at the expense of my children's well-being nor require them to pursue this track. At some point, this type of course work and testing is their call because it's their life. Every kid is different.

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Student does not have to provide it.

Thanks, Charleigh. We will just mark it off the list. It's kind of humorous that they only want kids from expensive private schools. We only started homeschooling because the elite private school for high ability kids in our state could not address our children's academic needs. Maybe it's the prestige factor or financial aspect of schools like these. Go figure.

Oldest DD used it through Precalc. She really enjoyed Foerster's approach. We switched to another author for Calc BC this year because she is taking the course online.

Thanks so much for your insight! This comports with what I have been told by people here, and some really nice, well-intentioned people have told me it just can't be right. That's why I came to the boards with my questions. I will make sure to keep copious records and list myself as the teacher. Thanks again!!