Is there a smaller state University that he could still apply and get accepted to, possibly even with scholarships for next year? It wouldn't be too late for State U's here. I have a 2E child and I totally get the gifted by immature thing. I did sit with him and do applications. I helped edit essays. Dd is going to a college that had no essays on the application. I think you should start looking for late application options. I get that he doesn't know where or what, but I think he would be much more likely to figure those things out if he went somewhere! The bible college idea sounds great, except financially. It will probably put him in a bad place for scholarships to engineering schools.

You've gotten a lot of views and no comments. I would guess the reason for that is you have chosen some programs that are not very popular here. That makes it hard to get feedback. BJU Physical Science is solid, but many here consider Physical Science to be an 8th grade course. MUS Algebra is the weakest Algebra program on the market that I know of. (We used MUS for years, this isn't from a hater.) Again, many kids do algebra in 8th, you're doing it in 9th with a very light Algebra. I don't know the other 3 classes. I've always heard good things about VP, but I haven't used them. BJU is always a solid credit too. Will your composition class include literature? I would make sure there is some literature in a high school English credit. I see 5 credits, again, very light. Most high schools are having kids take 6-7 credits/year with some even offering 8 credits/year. It takes 24 credits to graduate from high school in my state. What does your bright, not super motivated ds want to do? Does he know? Is college in his future? If so, I would consider switching to a stronger Algebra program and I would add an elective, possibly a foreign language?

Lori covered all the detail, but I just want to say the best way to prepare for high school is to continue moving forward from wherever your student is. There is a great thread (was in Nan?) about not expecting your 9th grader to act like a senior. 9th grade is just the year after 8th. Every year should step up. Every year should ask for more depth of thought, more organized output, synthesis of more complex material. There is no jump into high school. It is just the next step. It sounds like you are doing a great job. Relax and keep going.

Agreed. Lial's worked here, but I don't consider it any where near the easiest Algebra on the market. I didn't like MUS's presentation of Algebra. The problems were simplistic, but the explanations were confusing. There are always new things being published, or just becoming known that might become your new best friend for Algebra 2. Do Algebra 1 and Geometry and then worry about Algebra 2.

The Power is in Your Hands came out after my severely dysgraphic student was finished with high school writing instruction or we would have used it. We loved Sharon Watson in middle school and I wish we could have used her for High School too!

I think it's a little petty, but I (like others) don't understand why you haven't asked for it. It is yours. You love it. It is purple. Why would you expect her to think of offering it if you don't ask? If it is important to you, ask. I also agree with the "never loan anything you love". I consider all loans to be gifts. If I get it back, that's great, but I wouldn't loan it if I wasn't willing to let it go.

Regentrude got it just right from my perspective. Ds did anything I told him he needed to, but nothing else. He was unenthusiastic and questioned even going to college. It was mostly about fear. It was a big step for him. He loves college and considers his dorm his home now. He absolutely has no regrets about going added a second major and I have no doubt that he'll make it (I did when he started). Dd has done most things on her own. She researches and watches for deadlines. I work as backup. I sat beside her while she did her ap and have helped with other paperwork (that isn't on paper) whenever she asked. One was not more ready than the other. They just have different personalities. I think your son sounds like he is doing fine. That said, we don't believe in going into debt for college and I would make sure an unenthusiastic student wasn't going to rack up debt when he might end up not finishing.

:iagree: Neither one of my kids has had any classes that allowed notes on tests, not the CC, not the local State U, and not ds's private college. That isn't to say it doesn't happen at any of those institutions, but it isn't the norm.

MUS is the clearest, easiest geometry on the market. It has very few proofs, but covers everything on the ACT. It is perfect for struggling math students who just need to get it done.

This. This exactly. It doesn't matter what you put on his transcript if he can't get a decent ACT score and can't do the minimum math required to get a college degree (which is important only because you have said that is the goal). If he wants to get a college degree he has to do the math required for college, whether you think that system is messed up or not. I don't think anyone thought you were not working diligently at math. You have said you were and we believe you. However, if he is still in early algebra, you can't put passing grades for Algebra 1, 2 and geometry without completely falsifying his transcript. You need to do what he can, and describe that honestly on his transcript. It may mean he has to start a a CC while he continues to get his math up to level. He may or may not be able to get into a non-competitive university with an honest transcript. However, falsifying his transcript will not do him any favors. It will just put him in a position that he can't maintain. I'm sorry if it hurts. Kids with special needs end up with a lot of hurts. I know. I have one too. It is hard to say you are smart, but you don't have the math skills for college right now. I would emphasize the right now and I would continue to do everything possible to fix it following exactly the steps listed above. I know you have been trying for years. I know you are frustrated and hurt that the way higher ed is setup is not fair to your ds. But he is going to have to work within the system. You have to keep helping him, not trying to cheat him through. Hang in there. :grouphug:

Language and Composition is typically taken before Literature. It isn't required, but since most do, I think it is a disadvantage to be in Lit without having taken comp. AP Lit classes generally make the assumption that the student is already an excellent writer.

My strongest recommendation is to pick ONE math program. Trying to do 2 at a time is a bad idea. It takes too much time and the benefits aren't worth it. Pick a program that he learns well from and stick to it. I haven't used any of the programs you are considering, so I won't advise which one to pick, but for high school - 1 math program at a time. :)

Teaching Texbooks is computer CD's with videos if that is an option.

You can find links to the student book and the Solutions Manual in the pinned math thread at the top of the High School board.

Dd is graduating a year early. She was doing high school level work in 8th grade and we kept records for college applications. I would do the ACT/SAT the year before she plans to graduate, although she could take it again the following year if you think it would improve her score. I don't think your plans change any if she isn't going to college immediately, other than she will not spend time doing college applications - bonus! You will have all your ducks in a row in case she gets hurt or decides dance isn't the career she wants. She will be prepared for college applications at any point they might come into her life.

Just plan on getting your homeschool support here. You can still enjoy other homeschoolers socially. It shocked me when I started homeschooling, but it really had no impact on our homeschooling.

Gee, I didn't know we were neighbors and in the same homeschool community. Well, at least it SOUNDS the same! You don't need books, just go to the library. College? Well, anyone can go to the CC. You don't need to do anything special to get into college. ACT? It isn't necessary for the CC. AP? <crickets chirping> Really, I wonder if anyone that home schools in this area considers education a priority. ETA: Sorry I hit post accidentally part way though. Edited to finish.

Welcome to high school!

English: I saw it listed somewhere above, but EIL is definitely shoe string cheap and most of the required reading is available free. Math: Lial's worked great for us for Algebra 1 - PreCalc and most are available for less than $5 including shipping. If you look at the pinned math thread, toward the end I give links to a teacher who has youtube videos to go with every level of high school math. History: we used college level books, usually an edition back, bought used and very cheaply. Science: CK12 offers free texts, DIVE gives video lessons/labs for $50. Science was where we spent the most money for lab supplies, but you can do less. There have been lots of suggestions of free stuff already, so I won't give you another list. I just wanted to say rigorous high school does not have to be expensive. I'm not even sure expensive provides the best education. IMO many of the more expensive homeschool curriculums are far from rigorous. They are open and go and easy to use. That is what you are paying for. Certainly AP & DE are pricey, but they are unnecessary and many people do AP exams without paying for the classes.

I joined when I first started homeschooling. Ds had multiple disabilities and I was afraid the school we withdrew from was going to give me a hard time. They didn't, but it made me feel better knowing HSLDA was there. I only remained a member for a couple of years. I made it through getting both of my kids into college without their help. Honestly, all the help you need is available here on TWTM. If you have questions post here or on the College Board. If you join the HSLDA, make sure you are aware of the agenda you are supporting. I wasn't. No regrets, it was a small price to pay for my piece of mind at the time, but I hope others are more informed. :)

Did you like ICP? If so, you'll probably like Biology too. Dd did DIVE for ICP, Biology, and Chemistry and it was a good fit. The courses are solid. We found Dr. Shoreman boring and he tended to be redundant constantly reminding how to do question sets first then grade, and other little things like that - just annoying. We did use Miller Levine Biology, not a Christian text and took the time to read the sections not covered in DIVE although there were no tests on those chapters. Ds did DIVE for half of ICP hated it and we moved on. I think it is a personality thing.

We used AP instead of DE to get greater academic challenge where the student was interested. We used DE for subjects not suited to online study (foreign languages) and subjects that were not of interest to the student, but were requirements. That way they didn't have to take them again in college :). I think your reasoning for AP is sound. He would be in a class with other high school students, not adults. He will get a solid challenging look at the subject and might gain credit for it too. He will not have to deal with adult situations he may not be ready for yet as a freshman.

These Youtube videos got ds through AP Stats: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC8478000586FA6F9

No, I don't think they should make an exception for her for her age. I think that it is important not to sign up for college classes until students are ready to handle adult content. If the class would show that type of movie, they are also going to be having equally adult discussions. She could go talk to the professor and tell them she isn't comfortable with it, but I would not expect the professor to accommodate her.

That's interesting. I don't think anyone looks at the Geometry subtest scores and there are no remedial Geometry courses offered at our CC or the local State U. However, if the OP is in an area where that would happen, I'd recommend MUS Geometry as the perfect ACT prep and super easy, get-it-done style. Probably easier than Algebra for most kids.