Any experience with this class? Or any of Memoria Press's online high school classes?

Thank you all for your helpful suggestions! Lori- you are amazing! That is exactly what I needed. I so appreciate all of your time and effort. Thank you for the sample transcript and the college requirements; it is so helpful to see it all laid out like that. First, the Saxon we use includes Geometry in Algebra 1 and 2. Lisa, I like how you titled them Integrated Math 1 and 2. She is planning to take Calculus her senior year. Second, it appears that I need to plan some electives! So, she is going to take SAT prep with WTMA this summer and that counts as .5 credit. She also needs to squeeze in .5 credit of economics. Question- She is a fairly good piano student. Her piano teacher, who has a masters in piano from Wheaton, said that the piece that she is working on now is a good audition piece for music school- just to give you an idea of the level she is at. She has no desire to study music in college. However, at this level can I count her practice time and weekly lessons as an elective, maybe call it Applied Piano? If she practiced an hour a day then it would be 1 credit hour. Or is it best to list piano as an extracurricular activity. I was also thinking of using the music theory book that the WTMA uses for their Music Theory class, and that would be .5 fine art credit. I would still need another .5 credit. Third- extracurricular activities. The past two summers she has attended Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama. I realized that it isn't a prestigious, selective camp, but she did get 1 hour of college credit. Can this 1 hour be creatively translated into .5 high school credit-probably not ; )? She is in an amateur astronomy club and occasionally helps teach classes to elementary school kids. Now I realize she needs to step this up and try to do more. She volunteers at an organization that sends food to children in Nicaragua. She is saving up money to take a mission trip there- possibly next summer. Again, something to prioritize. She is planning to participate in Teen Pact in the spring as part of the government co-op class. She is also very active in church activities (sings in choir, preached sermon for youth Sunday, teaches kids' church, participates in camps and mission trips.) I'm not sure how much of this to include and how to include it on a transcript. I need to look online for sample transcripts. Fourth- Latin. It makes me sad to for her to quit it after all the hard work she's put in, so I think she will continue. You are right about Lukeion being an overkill, but she really likes Mrs. Barr, and especially Dr. Fisher. I don't think she will want to go elsewhere, but I don't want her to get Bs with Lukeion when she could get As through a less intense latin provider. My guess is that colleges are not aware of the rigor of Lukeion classes. This has been so helpful. Thank you to all who have replied.

That's a good question. I've only checked with Grove City and was told that with only two years of Latin she would have to take a (I think) modern language in college. With 3 years of Latin, then she would need to take 6 hours in college. With 4 years and a 4 on the AP test, then she wouldn't have to take any foreign language. I'm just wondering if she gets science degree, will she need a foreign language. My husband has an engineering degree from Texas A&M, and he never had to take a foreign language. Therefore he would have not needed AP Latin. That was a while back and things may have changed. Thanks for bringing this up. I need to look into it.

My oldest daughter will be entering 11th grade. I'm still trying to figure out high school as we go along, so I would appreciate any suggestions. My daughter is a strong student. She works very hard but is naturally slow at everything she does. She wants to go into some science field in college, but she isn't sure what. Her dream is to be an astrophysicist because she loves astronomy. However, she realizes that she isn't a math genius. She is also considering a medical field, and she has enjoyed chemistry this year. I was planning on her taking four years of Latin, but I am reconsidering this because Latin has been so time consuming. I want her to take physics soon so she will know if she likes it. I'm not sure how important it is to have an AP class her junior year before she applies to colleges. She is looking at Texas A&M, Grove City, and Wheaton as possible colleges. This is what she has taken her freshman and sophomore years. I would say she was at her limit with this workload- at times a little too stressed. Although she has done well in these classes. 9th grade- Latin 1 (Lukeion) Rhetoric 1 (WTMA) Biology (WTMA) Algebra 1 (Saxon) World History (part of Sonlight 200) 10th grade- Latin 2 (Lukeion) Greek and Roman History (Lukeion) Greek and Roman Literature (Lukeion) Chemistry (WTMA) Algebra 2 (Saxon) These are the the options I am considering for next year. What do you think? I'm feeling a little overwhelmed seeing them all typed up. Option 1 AP American History (WTMA) Physics (Derek Owens) Advanced Math (WTMA) Rhetoric 2 (WTMA) American Literature (lighter, not online) Option 2 American History (Notgrass, a little lighter) America Literature Physics (DO) Advanced Math (WTMA) Rhetoric 2 (WTMA) Latin 3 (Lukeion) Option 3 American History (Notgrass, a little lighter) America Literature Physics (DO) Advanced Math (WTMA) Rhetoric 2 (WTMA) Anatomy& Physiology (WTMA) Option 4 AP American History Physics Anatomy & Physiology Advanced Math American Literature Basically, I'm trying to decide whether or not to continue Latin, to take AP US History or an easier choice, or to try to fit in 2 sciences next year. I would like her to have the writing instruction in Rhetoric 2. She is also planning to do a simple government class at a co-op next spring. Any thoughts? Thanks for your help.

Do you think a strong proof-based geometry class, such as Jacob's geometry, is important for future engineers? My son is on the Saxon track with geometry built into algebra 1, 2, and advanced math. Is that enough?

I'm sorry, "The Historian's Craft"

I would love to hear your thoughts about it. Challenging? Helpful?

Thank you for your help. We have been using the older books that have included geometry. I'm glad to know that is enough. Thanks for sharing how you named the credits- that's helpful too.

I've always understood that geometry is built into Saxon algebra 1, 2, and advanced math. Now I see there is a Saxon geometry. Is it enough to do the algebra 1, 2, and adv math? Also, how long did you take to do advanced math? I've heard it can take a year and a half or even 2 years? Thanks for your help!

I would agree. My dd did First Form in 7th and 8th grade, and it prepared her well for Lukeion in 9th grade.

Sure, Siver Moon. That sounds like a very impressive class that you have put together, and it will definitely stand out on his transcript. I am just trying to figure this whole credit/ transcript thing out. Thanks for your help 😄

Thanks. That makes sense, because on further thought, I wondered how I could assign a grade to just reading them. However, should I call the course English 9 on her transcript and hope colleges look further to see what is included in that. Or should I just call it Rhetoric 1 and just add the book list to the course description. Or should I just not include the book list. I think rhetoric from WTMA looks more impressive than English. This is my first high schooler and I'm trying to figure all this out. Thanks for your help!

My daughter read these books this year in 9th grade. She also took Rhetoic 1 with WTMA, which I will count as her English credit. I'm wondering if I can count a literature credit as well. She pretty much just read them. She discussed them with me a little, but I didn't have her write because of all the writing in rhetoric. Maybe a .5 credit? Till We Have Faces Jane Eyre Romeo and Juliet Pontus Pilate The Christmas Carol Pride and Prejudice To Kill a Mockingbird Oliver Twist The Best of Father Brown She could maybe squeeze in another or two this summer. What do you think? Thanks!

Rhetoric 1 has been challenging for my 9th grade daughter, who took WWS 1 and 2. She has done well, but she has had to work very hard. She is a good but slow writer. The Greek readings that they have done this semester have been challenging. She has had to put a great deal more thought in her writing than WWS. WWS is a lot more step by step, where rhetoric has required more creativity. I would be reluctant to put an 8th grader in the class.

My daughter is in the class this year. Evolution was taught very straight forward from the Holt textbook. The instructor didn't present evidence from both sides; it was definitely one -sided. But I noticed she consistently referred to it as "a theory." It seemed to be similar to what they would get in public school. My daughter had taken apologia biology and was presented with lots of evidence that contradicted evolution in 8th grade. So I felt okay with her hearing this presentation of evolution. Otherwise, I have been very pleased with the class. They pretty much follow the textbook. They read additional articles and respond to each other's write-ups on a discussion board. The instructor is well prepared and encouraging. Hope this is helpful.

If I remember right, most of these inappropriate examples were in the written questions at the end of the chapter. Although there were probably a couple in the text itself. However, the examples given above were about the extent of them (really not too bad). If the question contained questionable content, then my daughter's instructor just didn't assign that question. They may read the scenario, but it wasn't something they would have to think deeply and write about. My daughter's class finished the text book a couple weeks ago, and they are now reading Plato's Phaedrus. They are about to start the second book mentioned in the syllabus. The reading has definitely increased in quantity and difficulty.

My 9th grader has taken rhetoric 1 this year and has really enjoyed it. It has been her most challenging class. It is very different from writing with skill, maybe not as structured. She has had to put a lot more thought into her writing. I would say that WWS is process centered, and rhetoric is idea centered. Her assignments have been much longer (1000-2000 words a week). Ms. Richardson has been a wonderful instructor. She is encouraging, positive, and gives excellent feedback. This course has brought her to tears many days, but she wants to take rhetoric 2 with Ms. Richardson next year.

Are AP classes vital to homeschoolers getting into college? My daughter has taken a couple classes through the Well-Trained Mind Academy this year, and they have been challenging classes with great teachers. I am very pleased with them and would be happy with my daughter continuing to take them through high school, but I worry that colleges will not recognize them as the quality, college- prep classes that they are. Or should my upcoming sophomore take as many AP classes as she can to prove to colleges that she is a serious student. I'm really not concerned with the college credit. I just want to give her the best high school education possible and for colleges acknowledge her hard work. Another question- She will naturally need to take AP classes in math, science, and Latin her senior year. However, she will apply to colleges early in her senior year. Wiill those AP classes have any weight in her admission? Thanks for your help!

Well, she wants to focus on math and science. Her passion is astronomy, and she really wants to be an astrophysicist. I don't know how realistic that is, but she is a very mature and determined 14 year old. I am planning on her taking a couple AP science classes later on in high school, with higher level math, and four years of Latin. Therefore I was thinking of going with something a little "lighter" in history and literature, which is why I chose Sonlight. I want specific writing and lit analysis instruction, hence WWS and Windows to the World. She loves to read so the quantity of books shouldn't be too much. I'm not sure how many credits this is. She runs most days and practices piano an hour everyday with lessons once a week, so I was thinking I could count a PE and music? credit with those. Do you ever give a credit for writing ( WWS and wordsmith) and a credit for literature (Windows and Sonlight)?

I have been reading these boards for years now even though I don't post much. I just want to thank all of you who take so much of your time to help others, which has in turn help me tremendously. Here are the 9th grade plans for my oldest dd, out of 5. Please let me know what you think. Saxon Algebra 2 Latin 1 - Lukeion Witty Wordsmith - Lukeion Apologia Chemistry (she did biology in 8th) WWS 3 Windows to the World with Jill Pike syllabus Sonlight 200 (without the writing, mainly just reading the history and literature and discussing it) Thanks so much for your help.

My dd will be in 9th grade next year, and I am trying to decide which Latin route to take. I've read that many people love Lukeion Latin. However, she is doing Henle now, and we are both comfortable with it, so I was thinking of just doing the Memoria Press classes. I want her to take 4 years of Latin and for it to look competitive on a transcript, but I don't want it to be so time consuming that it takes away from other subjects. Lukeion appears to be very challenging. I am pretty positive that she will not be a classics major. Does anyone have experience with Memoria Press? Could anyone compare the two?

I don't have any experience, but I plan on my 8th grader using these books next year. Having only read the first few chapters, it seems like you could read a chapter one day and answer the questions in the study guide the next, doing 2 chapters a week in 42 weeks. That's my plan, but I would love to hear how other people have actually done it. My biggest worry is that my 9th will not get much out of it reading the chapters on her own, because of somewhat difficult reading and sheer boredom for a 14 year old. I will probably read it aloud and discuss it with her. Thanks for bringing this up. I'm curious to hear what others say.

Thank you both so much for your thoughtful and gentle responses. I so appreciate you taking so much time to help me. Lori, I have felt that her school work is boring in general. I struggle with teaching her to have good study skills to get through a subject that she's not particularly interested in, since she will have to to that in high school and college, and making the subject interesting. I'm very anxious about homeschooling high school. I may be pushing her too hard now just to see if we "can do high school." In reality I know she will be more mature in a couple of years. I like your idea of having science be her "stretching" class and make history more enjoyable through researching topics she interested in, reading "living books," and watching documentaries. I think cutting back on grammar and summaries would also be a good idea. Thanks for your help. Tiramisu, I agree that she doesn't "let" her mind wander, because she can get just as frustrated as I can. I have never thought of her having a learning disability; she has always been academically strong compared to classmates at co-ops and on standardized tests. Do you have any suggestions of the type of person or company that could evaluate her? Thank you so much for your understanding response.

She is 13 and in 8th grade. She has always been slow in everything she does since she was a baby, but its becoming a problem. She is taking all day and evening to get all her school work done. I don't think she has an overly aggressive schedule, and she would agree. She has very high standards for herself and wants to do well. She doesn't argue about having to do any of her subjects, and she really doesn't mind working on them for 12 hours a day some days. I just think she needs to learn to focus better and get it done. I'm afraid it's only going to become more of a problem in high school. She definitely lets her mind wander. She gets a little distracted between subjects, but usually not for more than 15 minutes. These are her subjects: History (the worst): The American Odyssey, She reads a chapter a week, takes notes for every section, and answers the key questions at the beginning of the chapter. I was doing Critical Thinking and watching the Teaching Company lectures with her, but we've put those to the side. She has a hard time focusing and has to read the same section over again, especially lately since she is past the familiar colonial and revolutionary time period. She says that it is just so boring. Writing: WWS level 2, This isn't so bad. She's a fairly natural writer, but the longer writing assignments do take her quite a while. Reading: She reads novels from the WTM 7th and 8th grade book lists. I've started having her write 3-5 sentence summaries after chapters; she was having a little trouble understanding the details in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. She likes to read. I try to have her read about 150-200 pages a week (shorter books in a week and longer books in 2 weeks). Latin: She finished up First Form Latin from last year and started Henle a few weeks ago. So far she understands it fine, but again she doesn't get in much of a hurry. Grammar: Rod and Staff 8th grade, She is strong in grammar and thinks this is busy work. I dropped it for a few weeks but I think she should have one last year of grammar. It takes about an hour to do a lesson. Math: Saxon Algebra 1, She has always struggled a little in math, but is determined to do well (she wants to be an astrophysicist.) My husband spends a lot of time working with her, but it can still take a couple of hours to do math. Science: Biology II, She is taking this class from a former science teacher. It is definitely a high school level class, which is challenging her. They are required to read chapters from both Glencoe and Apologia Biology, with lots of questions from both books. She is doing well, but she definitely has to put a lot of time into it. After typing this out it sounds like a lot, but I wouldn't know what to cut. She also practices piano an hour a day, because she wants to. We recently moved to a small town out of state, so that has been a big adjustment and she doesn't have lots of friends and extra-curricular activities to motivate her to finish. I have a 4th and 6th grader that I spend a lot of time teaching as well as a 4 year old and a 1 year old. I don't have tons of time to sit and do everything with her. Thank you for reading all this and I would appreciate any thoughts. Does this seem like a fair schedule?

Thanks for all of your comments. She is starting Algebra 1 this year, so I think she will be ok as far as math goes. The class is covering the animal kingdom and human anatomy, with a review of cells and the plant kingdom. There will be a lot of dissection. The instructor assured me that it could be done not having taken Bio 1. She will probably have to continue over the summer and maybe into 9th grade to cover the material that was covered in Bio 1 (plant kingdom, cells, DNA, classification, ecology).