Well, mine go to TPS, so I guess so 😉

Thanks! I forgot, they've done classes with Serbicki at AIM and while they didn't need cameras on there maybe that has changed. I will definitely check out Blue Tent!

Thanks! Right now we primarily use TPS and WTMA. Other providers without cameras that we've used include CLRC, AA, AOPS, and OpenTent, The only ones we've found so far with cameras on are Outschool (eldest takes many interest-based classes there, but I don't use the platform for any core subjects as I'd like something more rigorous), HSA (younger two use this), and CWK. I agree, incorporating student cams leads to bandwidth issues like you mention. Consequently, I am open to non-cam courses that use instructional methods that require constant focus 🙂

Replying to another recent post got me thinking... While all of my children prefer synchronous classes (much more engaging), I'm starting to feel like my 10th grader needs to have classes that require her to have her camera on (or some other mechanism to keep her focused and accountable). Otherwise, she zones off easily. Yes, I can confiscate phones, limit website browsing, etc., but not only do I not want to go that route for this child she could stare at a wall distractedly for hours so those measures wouldn't work. Does anyone have recommendations for online live classes that fit this criteria?

I would NOT recommend WTMA's Spanish 4/5. My eldest was in the first Spanish 1 class and followed up with the first Spanish 2 class. She earned A's in both. However, as a foreign languages undergrad myself, I noticed that her grasp of the language was atrocious so I started watching recording midway through year 2 and was horrified by the lack of rigor (teacher relied on students to present topics, lots of watching videos/songs, busywork that wasn't graded, etc.) whereas I was expecting conjugation drills and grammar lessons. The only thing I did like was that they read a short book each year in Spanish (something I took over myself and ordered additional novels from the company for the kids to read this past summer). Suspicious, I had eldest tested at The Potters School. Instead of placing into Spanish 3 for this year, she placed right back into Spanish 1. We lost 2 years of instruction and eldest is mortified. (One of her younger sisters who took HSA placed into TPS Spanish 1B, so ahead of her). NOW (and I need to say kudos to WTMA for this), that instructor is no longer with WTMA (I wrote some pretty heated emails earlier this year, as did another parent in the class who came from HSA to WTMA Spanish 2). So the instructor slated to teach Spanish 4 (and all of the other Spanish classes at WTMA) could adopt a much more rigorous approach. HOWEVER, the curriculum in the sample syllabus is the same (I was not impressed, super vague and unclear). Further, if you're going into WTMA Spanish 4 next year, your student will be in that inaugural class that started Spanish 1 & 2 with my eldest. While they may be somewhat more up to speed taking Spanish 3 with someone else this year, their foundation is likely weaker than students coming from Leven's instruction. Just my opinion (and I apologize, this is a pretty sore point for me.)

Eldest took it last year. She honestly doesn't remember much about the class (she does tend be a bit scatter-brained, but definitely didn't leave a lasting impression). She said there's not much participation needed (probably correlated with why it's not memorable, she wasn't forced to pay attention). It has a decent reading list. Three papers were required each semester, roughly 600-1200 words each (final paper 1250-2000), She earned an 89% with minimal effort, I'd say. There was very little feedback (one of the overarching reasons that we switched out of WTMA for most classes). Finally, I have gotten to "know" a half dozen WTMA teachers very well through repeated classes with my kids; however, I, too, have zero memory about Mr. Wells (other than remembering his name).

We are finishing up wtma geometry this week. I think this makes three classes with Ms. Quintero at wtma in their aops series. Pace. We took 1 class at aops and it moved at breakneck speed. Just too fast for us. Two semesters is perfect (especially compared with rfwp which looks like they stretch it out over 3!). Alcumus. Wtma doesn't include it so I just have them do Alcumus over the summer to maintain. Communication. We have written to Ms. Quintero maybe once every 3 weeks about this or that and she responds via email within 24 hours. If you are instead referring to feedback on a given problem this depends upon your child. She allows 3 attempts on hw, but (according to my daughters observations and some general emails Quintero had sent the class, it sounds like many don't take full advantage of that. We, however, always try to get the first attempt in at least 1 week ahead. That way if there are corrections that need to be made, there's enough time. Plus on my experience she provides enough gentle nudges that we have never not gotten them right. Proofs. Each week has a regular short answer problem set (10-20 problems) plus 1-3 proofs. She is pretty particular about the setup of the proofs but that experience has helped my other daughters in their math classes. Challenge. Many but not all problems come from the as textbook. I love this as of she gets stuck (and then if I get stuck), I can sneak a peek at the hints to see if I can figure them out. However, most come from the section end and chapter review parts, so if you only do the challenging problems you may be disappointed. Overall, I love the aops classes on wtma. They are extremely well organized, offer plenty of flexibility (I.e., enough time to plan out assessment completion around busy schedules), decrease stress by allowing multiple attempts, are very predictable with even work loads (some other classes I have no idea what is due when and the workload seesaws but i always know what to expect in this class), uses blackboard along with collaborate which feels like my second home (my eldest just zoned out on the impersonal aops platform), and uses am extremely solid math program (aops). I plan on having all of the girls complete every wtma aops class. (There's also monthly discussIon board topics, but my eldest has never had any questions about those so I have never looked at them.)

I had no idea they rolled one out! It must have launched this academic year. Fair warning, we took one class with their peer mentor network (island level) and while I adore and have several levels of the curriculum their technology grasp for online classes (fall 2019) was elementary at best. If you're open to other providers, my eldest is about to complete her fourth aops class at wtma where I have been pleased with the math instructors.

Just an update, I think we may pass on this class because their registration fee effectively almost doubles the cost of the class! Too bad.

Does anyone have experience with this class? It's being offered in Summer 2020. I have been on a quest for the ideal programming resource with online, live classes. My kids have exhausted most free online resources, they do much better with live classes and not self-paced stuff. and one is part of a coding club and does hackathons. We've already done the AOPS first python class (very challenging, not the right environment with only typing and no video interaction) and FundaFunda's python (asynchronous and not much guidance/feedback) course. While I've considered WTMA and TPS because they both now offer live programming courses, their school year is usually packed with extracurriculars and I was trying to shift stuff to this summer since it looks like most of their stuff is canceled anyway. For background, we have never taken classes at WHA, we're very agnostic, but can be tolerant. (E.g., the girls are taking classes at TPS and CLRC, in addition to WTMA.) I am very much open to other suggestions, too, I want to feed this interest if I can find a resource that fits their learning style, thanks!

Agreed. As a programmer myself and former leader of a coding club, my kids started Scratch probably at age 4. Then they moved on to Python through lots of different gamified platforms for kids. So I thought my eldest was prepared. But goodness gracious, we still spent at least one evening a week, working for several hours into the night, on her weekly assignments. They started out easy but really ramped up by the end. There is an active online community that the students can access for support, and my daughters still use it despite us moving to different providers for AOPS-based classes.

My eldest did it two summers ago. Good / standard csci assignments but she hated the format (didn't keep her attention or really encourage interaction). It also moved very quickly, to the point that I wondered how students who didn't have parents who coded could keep up. I still haven't found an online python class that I've really liked but I keep looking!

The Number Theory book is in the other room right now (I'm in bed). Is it the game 24? If so, there are online solvers.

Thanks, but I just don't understand this site at all. I registered earlier this week and from what I can tell it's a total misnomer as there are only recording! Unless I'm missing something crucial...

Ack! I don't know where my reply went! Thank you both. I most definitely didn't realize how pervasive the religious content was at Schole, I appreciate the detailed outline. For writing/grammar, I'm now considering onlineg3's MCT Town level or CLRC's Upper Elementary Arts I, either should be fine I think. It's math that's trickier. I'm actually a math professor so I'm pretty picky (I'm just also really busy). Do you think the Potter's School is going to math even math religious? Again, I appreciate both the feedback and the suggestions!