Thank you so much to everyone for such helpful answers. My thinking is getting clearer between this thread and the Dance moms thread. Minimizing time outside the house and getting creative about how to take course work could very well mean we don't have to skimp on academics. Ballet is definitely an uncertain world and she needs to be prepared for whatever her life path ends up being.

Abbeyej - thank you for answering me. Very helpful. Things are beginning to come together in my mind. I'm really seeing the value of not being out of the house so much for classes, I just need to figure out how best to outsource the classes I don't want to teach myself. After speaking with a friend today and reading all the advice here, I realize we may not have to compromise on academics, just get creative about how to get everything in. I want her to be very prepared should dance not work out, since that's an extremely likely possibility given injury potential and the small percentage of dancers who go professional. Thank you

So to Gwen and Gina (and any others), how do you decide what to cut back on academically assuming your child is college-bound? I have a dd ballet dancer (and she plays piano at a high level) who dances many hours a week. I'm asking similar questions with regards to scheduling. KLA

So I'm really at the beginning of this and planning for high school so bear with me if I'm asking silly questions. I think I'm concerned about some of the upper level high school classes when we get there. I mean, can you do lab sciences well at home via online class (I'm not saying you can't, I just can't picture it)? And can you find rigorous online classes that have deadlines, grades and high expectations of the students? How/when and even do you decide to lighten up the academics because ballet takes up such a significant amount of time? It's hard for me to think about saying "no" to an honors course that she is capable of because she just doesn't have time. She might very well have time, just aren't there yet to know it. Finally, any outside classes I'd consider would be core classes. So is it worth the investment of leaving the home to have in those core classes done that way. We have an option of a two day co-op (academic, not enrichment) or a three day school where she is now for a few classes. I'm not necessarily asking for specific answers, just trying to wrap my brian around both planning for high school and doing it well with a serious ballet dancer on a full schedule. I appreciate any and all thoughts. KLA

Yes, I'm thinking that going out for too many classes (we have a three day a week school we could take classes at) will take time in transportation and getting ready, packing lunches etc. I have a very motivated dancer and student. Online classes seem like a great way to get other teachers, although we haven't tried a live one yet. I'm trying to find the best way for her to dance all she wants, do challenging academics (that's what she wants) and have just enough down time and sleep :) KLA

Could I bring this thread back up? I'm planning for high school with a ballet dancer and would love to hear how your schedules are working out this year. My dd is bright and can handle the more advanced classes but as I make plans, I'm trying to keep her schedule manageable. Anyone care to chime in on schedule ideas? Tips that work and don't work? Outsourcing classes and the extra time they take versus just trying to do things at home? I'm at the very beginning of planning high school and don't know how to start mapping it all out. Thanks

That's very helpful, Cheryl, thank you. The combination of needing more review (more spiraling), puberty brain fog, and a daughter who's mind is always on ballet are definitely leading me towards doing 1/2 next year. I think that will set her up well for Algebra in 8th grade, which is still an advanced math track, should she need that. Thanks.

I have been wrestling with this whole skipping Algebra 1/2 thing for several years now. I was planning to follow that assuming proficiency in 8/7, however I just don't think I'm comfortable with that anymore (just speaking to our case - might be just right for many). Here's why... 1. Like I said, she is already working a year ahead. Algebra in 7th Grade just seems too advanced to me. She does just fine at math but I don't see her heading down that path as a career (right now she wants to pursue dance and/or piano in college). Algebra I in 7th grade leads to Calculus in 11th grade, right? I'm not sure she needs to be that advanced, just because she could be. 2. I understand there can sometimes be issues with Algebra that can relate to age/development. I'd like her not to hit a wall, just because she is younger. 3. I have seen lots of kiddos struggle in Algebra because they don't have the good foundation in pre-algebra (rushed through it or advanced too fast or whatever). I figure another year in 1/2 would help to prepare her. I am certainly ready to be proven wrong on these things so if anyone has advice or opinions, I'm open. I have gone back and forth a million times on this.

Thank you. That's what my gut is telling me :) Great idea about Khan. We will press on unless recent test scores come in and show something different. Supplements from other sources besides Saxon should help me gauge too I would think. KLA Oh and you are soooo right about the 12 year old thing. I can't believe I hadn't thought of that :)

Or just wait it out....? My dd12 is finishing Saxon 8/7. We have always used Saxon. She has always done great with it. She doesn't like to do math but picks things up quickly and gets the concepts just fine. Her standardized tests scores are very good. The end of Saxon 8/7 piles on new stuff so there is a lot to remember. I'm finding that for the first time in her math career that she just needs to practice certain things a few more times the same day she learns them before she remembers how to do them. I'd love for those who have used Saxon into algebra level to chime in. We are planning to go on to Algebra 1/2 next year (she is already working a year ahead and so I don't want to skip Algebra 1/2 advancing her even more) which I know has more review. Will this be enough? Should I just add supplemental practice or does she need a non-spiral approach? Thank you for your opinions, KLA

I'm bumping this up since I'd like to feedback too. I'm trying to find something for 7th grade history. MY dd12 is finishing a comprehensive and challenging geography course as well as the last VP self-paced course and I'm trying to figure out if this would be good for next year too. Thanks KLA

We don't skip them because my kids like to have easy lessons to fly right through and it's a nice confidence booster for them, especially if they have just worked through the end of a Saxon book that was a lot of new information. I think it's nice for them to do some lessons quickly and easily.

I agree with what everyone has said. My bit of practical advice is along the lines of getting science supplies ready. Make all copies needed at the beginning of the year and have them accessible. This has been so helpful, particularly as the kids have gotten older. I wasted so much time making them wait while I copied something for the day (or worse, when they came to me telling me they needed something copied since I hadn't prepared for the day). It may cost a bit more up front but it is so efficient. Blessings for a great year!

We started FLL in first grade and did all 4 levels, then switched to Shurley 6 in the 5th grade (based on a rec from OhElizabeth) and it has been the perfect path for both of my children, who are very different from one another. I wouldn't change a thing and I would do the same thing all over again. I'm a proponent of early grammar and I love how FLL, Shurley, Latin and IEW have all worked together so well.

Have you ever read Art Reed and all he says about implementing Saxon? It was revolutionary for me in understanding Saxon and it's method. Here is the link to his website. Go back when you have some time and read the archived newsletters. It's so helpful on understanding just why 80% on a Saxon test is a good score and on why your child might miss 8-10 on mixed practice but still be really learning the materials. It's also helped me to see why they need to do all the mixed practice problems and why I don't need to make my children go back and fix every problem they miss. I plan to use his teaching DVD's as well when we reach those levels. I have used Saxon for 7 years and wish I had been exposed to all this years ago - it's so helpful! KLA http://www.homeschoolwithsaxon.com/