did you include standardized tests (IOWA, Sanford etc) other than SATs and ACTs?

And that is part of my point... are the course descriptions required? Also, is it necessary to include the additional description of homeschool philosophy in the profile?

We are on the late side of things with life circumstances, as I am battling cancer and I am trying to finish this up for DS quickly. He has completed the Common App and we do have a transcript! YAY! I am working on the Counselor/Teacher aspects. For the School Profile I have answered their questions and have created our own document. I have included the following: School Name, Location, a description stating we are a college preparatory school through high school, how many credits each year, average class time, block schedule and that this has worked well allowing in-depth study to explore further interests. Then I have created a Philosophy Section: Joshua Tree Academy implements a Christian, Classical and Traditional Educational Approach utilizing various curriculum to achieve a mastery based education with standardized scope and sequence requirements. Traditional methods of textbooks, assignments, projects and tests are used across the core subjects of Mathematics, Sciences, English, and Social Studies. They are also used for Christian Studies, Health and P.E., Foreign Language and Electives. Numerous other resources for additional materials, hands-on materials, internet reading, field trips and museums, lab activities, source documents, literature books, living books, and video lectures are folded in to enhance learning opportunities and outcomes. This optimizes an individual learning style and encourages creative thinking, critical thinking and development, and personal interest exploration. Next is a Curriculum Section: I listed all major publishers we have used, and also a statement regarding numerous other resources for additional materials, hands-on, source docs, lit. etc..... I've included a Courses Section: Listing courses throughout high school Grading Policies and Standardized Tests with a grading scale and SAT info. Also stated each credit earned was based on Carnegie Unit of 120 hrs plus.... And explained GPA calculation, number of total credits earned to earn Advanced Studies Diploma. WHERE I AM STUMPED and CONFUSED.... In the Philosophy Section, do I need to include more about why we homeschool? Our philosophy? I have read on different sites and get differing views. I have also written the following, but is it necessary? The homeschool experience and environment provides the student a framework of freedom, flexibility, specialization, depth, time efficiency, and the development of maturity and personal responsibility. The student is allowed to delve deeply into areas of interest, becoming highly skilled in specialized subjects and personal passions. Specialization offers numerous benefits, including channeling energy into a beneficial direction, developing positive driven goals, maturity and responsibility. In depth topic exploration and the development of talents provides the student a head start on career planning. This approach develops a happy, emotionally stable student better positioned for college admissions and success. ...... and I have more.... IS THIS REQUIRED? I've read they only want the facts of location, grades, courses etc as above.... and Ive read this is where you flesh out why you homeschool ..... HELP ME PLEASE!!!! ALSO.... I see NOWHERE in the Common App that it asks for Course Descriptions. Where is this? Is it per school? Is it required?

How many books do you cover for English literature course in one year?

For each high school course how do you assess each aspect of the course and how much weight does it count towards the final grade? Our English Courses consist of the following: Grammar, Vocabulary, Compostiion (writing), Reading (Lit and Analysis-discussion and written) We have composition on various topics/subjects in addition to writing for literature analysis. What percentage do you assign for each aspect toward the final grade? Is there a typical standard?

Have read various threads regarding course descriptions, etc. I know keeping them short, precise, no fluff etc is key. Is there a proper format?

Are full length novels and works utilized in this course, or only excerpts? Is full literature analysis dicussed? Can you flesh out more of what the text offers and entails?

Critical Thinking McGraw Hill textbook.... Has anyone used this? https://www.amazon.com/Critical-Thinking-Philosophy-Religion-Brooke/dp/0078119146/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_t_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=FZ309N4GQX4AV36PT73Z There is also a 12th edition available. It appears there is something offered by McGraw Hill called Connect. "Instructors and students can now access their course content through the Connect digital learning platform by purchasing either standalone Connect access or a bundle of print and Connect access. McGraw-Hill Connect is a subscription-based learning service accessible online through your personal computer or tablet. Choose this option if your instructor will require Connect to be used in the course. Your subscription to Connect includes the following: SmartBook - an adaptive digital version of the course textbook that personalizes your reading experience based on how well you are learning the content. Access to your instructor’s homework assignments, quizzes, syllabus, notes, reminders, and other important files for the course. Progress dashboards that quickly show how you are performing on your assignments and tips for improvement." Has anyone used this book as stand alone? Has anyone used the Connect platform? Thoughts? Comments?

What is A-G approved? When I google it, it appears for California Universities admissions...?

I am hearing wonderful things from Edhesive, but they are not responding to my questions / inquiries on their site. I'll look and see if there is email contact info. Does anyone have a number for them?

With the Edhesive class, was it completely self paced? Was he required to log in at certain times? Were there assignment due dates? How involved were you as the teacher?

In today's day and age, you would think it would not be THIS difficult to find an intro to computer science course for high school that is accessible to homeschoolers and doesn't break the bank! I am so frustrated! Thus far I have looked into several options, simply wanting an overview of computer science for ds. CodeHS claims to have a FREE plan, but once you click on the links to their plans, or homeschool or independent learning, it costs $499! I have submitted requests for information on the FREE plan, what it includes and have not heard anything back. ECS (Exploring Computer Science) appears great, yet looks to be teacher led and classroom oriented which is not an option for us, especially with one student. Code.org has a program called Computer Science Discoveries, but is not even available until the fall. Project Lead the Way looks fantastic but is geared for public/private schools. Edhesive has Explorations in Coding which is new, and not available until the fall and an Introduction to Computer Science teaching basics... so this may be an option. I am waiting for them to answer my inquiry. EdX has a self paced course from Harvard Intro to Computer Science, which looks promising. Sonlight offers Teen Coder courses in C# and Java. Why is it so diffucult to find an online Intro to Computer Science course? Has anyone used EdX? Is the material sufficient for a full course credit? Is it necessary to have the verified certificate to place the course on a transcript? What have others done with their computer science minded students?

I looked at their website and am interested, but this is all new to me. Are the Edhesive courses live, or can students work at their own pace and time? Are these courses free?

I understand computer basics, but that is about it. Are the MOOCs sufficient for highschool credit? Are these courses self paced?

DS has decided he would like to take a computer science course his last year of high school. What curriculum recommendations do you have?

BJU Press: http://www.christianbook.com/geography-grade-9-homeschool-kit/pd/701262?event=ESRCG Abeka: http://www.christianbook.com/world-geography-in-christian-perspective/pd/167797?event=ESRCG Must See Places Of the World: (DVD) https://www.amazon.com/Must-Places-World-Artist-Provided/dp/B001PCJG2A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1472090748&sr=8-1&keywords=must+see+places+of+the+world+dvd Must See Places Of the World: http://www.christianbook.com/the-worlds-must-see-places/9780756683825/pd/683825?product_redirect=1&Ntt=683825&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP

Abeka has a World Geography Course: http://www.christianbook.com/world-geography-in-christian-perspective/pd/167797?event=ESRCG BJU Cultural Geography: http://www.christianbook.com/geography-grade-9-homeschool-kit/pd/701262?event=ESRCG

I am certain this is covered on here somewhere. I have read more about these tests, dates, prep, college apps and the like over the past several days than my brain can handle. It is a lot to consider, and I am forever grateful for the wisdom on this board. With all of that said, I am wondering if it matters which test is taken. Other than obvious reasons that a particular college only accepts one test or the other....... Should a student only take one or the other? SAT or ACT? which one? Should they take both? Why or why not? How are the SAT and ACT tests different? I am curious to the wisdom and thoughts from the hive... GO ! :hurray: IF this topic is discussed at length on the board elsewhere and I could not find it, PLEASE point me to the thread, or post a link in comments. Thank you.

Another big thank you for doing this as well. We are beginning Junior year, and I am a mess. Our babies grow up too fast, and homeschooling high school isn't for the faint of heart. Between SATs, ACTs, transcripts, course descriptions, managing all the extra curricular activities and every day life... it can be overwhelming. I cannot count the numerous threads that have been helpful in navigating this journey. Thank you to each of you. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Is this the one? http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/586652-application-lessons-learned/?hl=%2Bcommon+%2Bapp&do=findComment&comment=6841966

Has anyone started using the Daily Practice SAT app? Any feedback you can share? Are the questions official questions, or is this more of the same as in what's offered on Khan Academy and their questions? https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/practice/daily-practice-app

Does this textbook cover one full credit of Algebra II and half a semester of Trig? Is the text considered an honors level course?

What is OCW ?

Obviously the sooner the better as I need to purchase it or something else and plan out to start in the next couple weeks.

I am asking if it would be enough for a full credit. Based on their website as an independent / homeschool course: https://www.aleks.com/about_aleks/course_product_popup?cmscache=site_type:topic&site_type=consumer&topic=hsgeometry