We have two kids enrolled in total of 3 year-long classes currently. Unfortunately, each has one teacher that is leaving after one semester (Keeter German and Bontrager English IV, both already mentioned in this thread, so don't panic). We've heard nothing about the other class, or the one semester elective DD is enrolled in for Spring 2017. Agree that some form of communication from LA would be a comfort, but it is Christmas, it is a Christian academy, so we're willing to cut some slack there. While this is disappointing, I respect teachers who can no longer work if they're not getting paid. I am also very thankful for teachers who are willing to see the year-long course commitment through in such circumstances. Our family has options to see things through this school year, but I am interested to see how this gets handled, especially the discounted semesters (and one intensive) we've pre-purchased. Quality has never been an issue with LA; DD 8th and DS 10th have enjoyed all their classes (mostly in the English dept., one programming semester, German, and two high school science lab intensives). While we're among the many who've availed ourselves of the steep discounts LA offers, every time we've done so, we've wondered about the financial feasibility of the model. While not a "Ponzi scheme" in terms of intending to be a scam, it does seem to rely on continued advanced "bulk" sales to keep things afloat. Perhaps there's now too much competition for high school homeschool, such as free or nearly free community college dual enrollment (like in our state). We agree with blessed3x - we're praying for Greg Landry, the Academy and teachers, and the families that are relying on them.

EQV: May I ask what level MM your daughter finished, and what AoPS course she transitioned in to? I'm not sure if my DD would be ready for their Algebra after MM7 or would start with pre-algebra, due to AoPS rigor. Did you use AoPS pre-tests for placement, or "just knew"? BTW I assume from your forum name that you're in NC like us. :-)

My wife says MM is more mastery approach than spiral, although we think the way it teaches concepts results in solid understanding for building on. DD has been doing Math Minutes 8 this summer both to review and to assess her readiness for algebra, and she's doing well. I can't answer what's best for your DD. What we noticed with our DD and MM was that it seems liked every new topic wasn't clicking, but then, lo and behold, she had nailed it by the end of each topic.

Thanks, fourisenough. I forgot about MWB; I can't remember why we took it off our list. I'll need to check it out again.

Greetings! Shout out to, and question for, my fellow adventuresome math parents who were the pioneers to use Math Mammoth 7 after it's release last year. My dd (with dw) completed MM5-7 (highly recommend it), and now the age-old question - what to use for algebra? We are not directionless, but need to pull the trigger on something. DD is above-average but reluctant in math, enjoys it when the light bulb goes off and she gains confidence. She really is a wonderful, compliant kid, but math is the only battlefront (mild). DW is very algebra-competent but we think a video of someone else will help avoid the teen-mom tension, if you get me... We've seen MM's recommendations here: http://www.mathmammoth.com/complete/algebra_1.php We've ruled out some for our own reasons; ds used VideoText for algebra 1 and 2 and it's wonderful, but ds says "no way" LOL. We thought of making her use it due to inve$tment, but math is our only struggle with her so not going to fight. Anything for my baby! :-) 1) What are you other MM7 grads using for algebra this year? Why? 2) For us, we've narrowed it down to: Derek Owens (ds has done very well with him in geometry and precalc) Ask Dr. Callahan DVD's/tests/lessons with Jacobs text DO: known and excellent, videos, self-made text based on Dolciani, grading, email support (which has been great with ds). DD interested and likes DO's style and voice. Costs more. Grading isn't cheap! ADC: unknown but good reviews, videos, Jacobs text, no grading, email support. DD not so sure but I think she'd like Dr. C's daughter in the videos. Costs less.

It sounds like your son has dysgraphia?

We have homeschooled our 2E son 7th-9th grade, after public school K-6. 1) Every 2E kid is unique. Hard to make comparisons, and you know your kid best. Our son doesn't struggle with writing. 2) Keep your eye on the prize. What do you want for your child when he's 18? 22? 30? Worried (like us) that he will be unready for college in every area BUT academics? Gap years (extra year between high school grad and college entry) are more popular than ever, though reasons for it vary. We believe our son is CURRENTLY best being prepared for adulthood by US, not by a group of kids and adults who won't likely understand him. I know that's a strong opinion, and don't want to trigger a socialization/overprotection debate here. 3) For our son (who overcomes deficient executive function with his massive, agile brain), school would be a disaster right now for many reasons. He needs to be let loose on learning pace and complexity, and encouraged and helps with efficiency of completing tasks on his own. Classroom environment seems at odds with both of those. 4) There's never been a better time to homeschool a 2E highschooler, and, in my opinion, at least where we live, never been a worse time to have him in public (or private) school. I don't think he's sacrificing anything in academic quality. So many online resources available. I know these are not all free; but not all are expensive, and some ARE free. (Khan Academy, MIT Open Courseware, etc.) 5) We used an English co-op for 7-8 grades. It was good for him. For 9th, a mix of self-directed textbook, self-directed online, and online paced work with accountability has been a win. I'll spare specifics to avoid endorsement and rabbit trail discussions. However, I did need to step into the mix in March and give him a day-to-day schedule to help reach his goal of school completion by May 27. He stayed on target with his paced online classes, but got behind on others.

Thanks again!

Thank you all for such great replies! Much to consider. FWIW, I emailed five "top" engineering schools to ask their opinion about prepping such a student for admissions and future success. Replies varied, with one favoring a live class at a local university for other options, but most considering any option for advanced math beneficial and recommended. For homeschoolers, they want to know the details - what text was used, etc. The schools were Ga Tech, Carnegie Mellon, MIT, Cal Tech and Duke (we're in NC and I did a decade of medical training there, so my son is biased toward it LOL). All were HS-friendly and are accepting an increasing number of HS students, though I think many of them HS for reasons different than ours.

Thank you, Wapiti! The "calculus trap" article perfectly describes our situation, and challenged my thinking. We may need to consider alternatives.

Only what's been included in the curricula I mentioned. DO includes word problem-ish questions. He public-schooled through 6th grade and was always the top kid with Math Olympiad and things like that. We want to encourage him since he loves math, but he also has wide-ranging interests and abilities, so we don't want to overload him on math. Not looking for competitions or something so challenging that it draws him away from other subjects. We just want a solid foundation so he can succeed with additional college math.

Thank you, Elise. Your situation matches ours well, so I appreciate your recommendation. I think our local university will accept a 5 for skipping calc 1, but we'll see. Thanks again! BTW how has the college classroom experience been for your young teen? May I ask which college, or at least what kind - big or small, state or private, Christian or secular? I hope students in math beyond calc 1 are both serious-minded and kind to your sweet Doogie Einstein. :-)

DS completed VideoText for algebra 1 & 2, Derek Owens geometry and almost through DO pre-calculus. He's done very well with all. He's young, not eligible for dual enrollment locally unless we reclassify his grade. Looking for reviews from those who used a homeschool/online calculus course and your child got a 5 on AP test. Even better would be testimony of a child's eventual success at engineering college. Cost isn't a top criterion, just want quality, and grading done for us. :-) We're good staying with DO, but looking at options. DS has a loaded year ahead, so not looking for calculus BC, just a good prep to ace the AP calculus AB test. Thanks for checking!

I looked through lots of forums, but didn't find answers to my question, probably since MM7 is new this year. DD is finishing MM7, did 5 and 6 before. It's worked well for us. She's above average in everything, but math is her main attitudinal struggle. We like MM for teaching concepts, lots of word problems, and cost. We think pre-algebra would be redundant, but a too-rigorous algebra could kill her joy. We're thinking of a 1.5-2 year algebra path. Any recommendations? We own VideoText Algebra from her brother's use, but not sure she'll do well with it. We're thinking Math without Borders, or maybe Derek Owens self-paced. Her brother uses DO for higher math and loves it.

My DD has done MM5 and 6, and is about to finish MM7. You and your child will feel about MM7 exactly how you feel about MM5 and 6 LOL. We have liked them. We think DD is algebra-ready after MM7. Background: She is an above-average 7th grade student all-around, and the only person in our house who doesn't love math. So finding MM has been a blessing.

Thank you, Teresa and dhudson. Any more experiences to share with this? We'll be hitting the convention vendor halls in the next couple of months. We want a complete, rigorous chemistry year for a gifted, independent learner. Looking for Apologia vs. Wile vs. Spectrum Chemistry comparisons, or other options. We like Christian homeschool-specific curricula. Chemistry can be world-view neutral, but has plenty of opportunities to give God glory, so we want to stay with Christian resources if possible. We'll probably do a few at-home labs, with Landry Academy lab intensive to supplement.

As others have noted, so much depends on your child's aspirations and abilities. If thinking about college, it is important to find a way to get through high-school level biology and chemistry. Many options out there. Our very science-loving family loves Apologia. I think there is wisdom in the traditional public school approach of bio-chem-physics. While this approach is upside-down regarding fundamentals-to-complexity (biology depends on chemistry which depends on physics!), here's why I think it still makes sense: 1) Most kids will benefit from as much math as they can get before chemistry; algebra 1 being essential. And physics isn't necessary for everyone. 2) As Lori D. stated, many colleges do not require high-school physics for entry into non-engineering programs. So you may not have to take it at all. Most do require 3 years minimum of science. There are good non-physics 3rd-year options -- marine biology is popular, especially among non-science-minded girls - who doesn't love dolphins and corals? A comparison would be making a math-struggler take precalculus, when something like consumer math would be far easier (and useful!), and fill the college requirement. 3) Even if you have a very-mathy kid, physics can be even better (even fun!) when taken alongside precalculus or calculus. Some of that is redundant, but I hope it helps reinforce what others said. To the original post: 1) Check several realistic colleges for your DD, regarding their science requirements. 2) Consider stopping biology wherever she is at the end of the year, give her a Spring semester biology grade and be done with it. If she's interested, she can "audit" the rest all summer. The last few modules in Apologia Bio are the fun stuff for non-science kids; animal and plant types rather than the molecular and cellular stuff. Did you ever finish the textbook in public high school? Me, neither. :-) I know, I know; we tend to be that way with our own kids - "You must finish the curriculum". But it turns out, no, they don't have to. Except math LOL. 3) If colleges of interest don't require physics, then consider her planned total curriculum for the rest of high school. If science is more onerous than other subjects, put chemistry in the "easiest" year. Take a year of whatever science she wants any other year. If she isn't planning on physics, there is no reason that I see to take chemistry right away. Bounce any plan off of a couple of college admissions officers. I can't think of any science option your DD would consider in 10th or 11th grade that would seriously suffer from not having chemistry yet. Even the chemistry which would come up in astronomy, marine bio or earth science would probably be easy to pick up on the way. I'm open to correction on that if others disagree. (We're science-heavy, so I may be skewed here). We love Apologia. but follow your DD's curriculum, not theirs! :-)

Lots of good stuff here. Thank you for all the help. A few contributions that may be rubbish, but here they are: 1) When we switched to homeschooling, we knew it would present some college-admission challenges. Part of "counting the cost"! 2) If your kid can get even a slightly above-average SAT/ACT score, there are decent colleges that aren't that hard to get into. 3) There are schools that like homeschooled kids - mostly Christian (Liberty, Cedarville, etc.) or top-tier schools that like the mavericks with the "hook" - started own business, music as mentioned, etc. 4) The hard spot seems to be really good schools, but not Ivy League/Duke/Stanford. For instance, my DS is interested in places like Georgia Tech, Carnegie-Mellon, Clemson. He's got the ability; we just need to determine if that is actually "worth it", and if so, how to "package him" for admissions committee. 5) We live in NC; NC State for engineering would be totally fine! Neighbor had a son who got his degree there and is now getting a Master's engineering degree at MIT. Succeed where you are, and I believe there will be opportunity! 6) We've spoken to college admission people. They tire of seeing "all-A" transcripts from homeschoolers. Thus, many depend more heavily on SAT/ACT for HS'd applicants than for traditional kids. Extracurriculars are important; the trend seems to be looking for commitment/excellence in 1 or 2 rather than a long list. Also, dual enrollment with local CC or 4-year college (even online) is a great way to "objectify" your kid's ability. A neighbor who is a college chemistry professor told me that dual-enrollment high-school students are some of the best in his classes. :-) 7) Personal testimony: I was not homeschooled. But I ended up in community college. I had GREAT experience at community college; a PhD taught me organic chemistry with a class of 5 people; took Calculus III and differential equations and actually spoke to my English-as-first-language teacher directly when I had questions; etc. Of course, that was in the horse-and-buggy era. :-) Without a great record at CC, I ended up at a state school in FL for my last 2 years. I made the most of that opportunity, and despite it not even being one of the better-known state schools, got into a top 10 medical school. Not trying to boast, but here's my point: train your kids to make the most of every opportunity, and there will be a rung up the ladder to grasp. America is still great for that!

Thank you for the replies. I had to figure out what TPS is, but got it :-) -- https://www.pottersschool.org I had never heard of TPS before, so nice recommendation. We will check that out more thoroughly, and revisit Mounce resource at next fair.

DS strongly desires to take Koine in 9th grade this fall. Here's what I know: 1. He's motivated and able. 2. DW wants nothing to do with it. Must be self-guided. :-) 3. Looked at Mounce at homeschool fair. There must be a more engaging option! 4. DVD, online or conventional text all OK. But needs a "grade" for transcript. Any recommendations that give 2 or 3 year option and have been accepted for college? FWIW - I emailed 5 colleges to ask if Koine was acceptable for foreign language requirement. 4/5 said yes. These were moderately to highly selective schools (NC state system to Duke). Georgia Tech said no. I ASSUME that conservative Christian colleges will accept it, but haven't asked.

Sorry for delay. Thank you for those replies. We ended up using CLP "Exploring American History". She likes it. Only downside is that it isn't particularly rigorous for a 6th grader.

Thanks for replies. DS is up for more rigor than BF. I checked out the self-paced online Omnibus option. It looks promising. I hesitate only b/c he'll be doing online math and Landry for English. Although primarily or totally online might be in his future, we aren't quite ready for that for him. We will try to get our hands on Omni 3 at a vendor fair. Three more ?s: 1) We've never done classical approach, only been homeschooling for two years (also DD 6th grade). Will it be hard to "get" the style of Omni? 2) DS could likely handle Landry and Omni workload, but not sure that's best. Is it easy to pare down the Omni reading list without diminishing the curriculum? 3) Do you, or does anyone you know, use Omnibus while pursuing high-level math and science? Or is it mainly for humanities-heavy folks?

Planning DS HS curriculum, start fall 2015. He's loved Beautiful Feet Ancient and BF Medieval History the last 2 yrs. Loves every subject, voracious reader. He can't stand "repeating". We desire "traditional" HS social studies path - year of world, year (or two) of US, year of gov't/civics/econ. I'd like to let him finish his world history in sequence next year. Recommendations for rigorous HS world history that is a year long, covering pre-Reformation to current? 1) Less parent is needed, the better. 2) Biblical worldview emphasizing God's sovereignty. 3) Literature-based with spine is good but open to primarily textbook. Omnibus III from Veritas Press looks impressive but DW finds it intimidating. We've never done classical approach, and worry it might be too much with Landry. But DS LOVES school and can handle high volume without duress. We're more than comfortable with it's Reformed perspective. Thank you!

Not vast experience here but our very mathy DS started Derek Owens geometry this January and it's going very well. You can find it online to learn more. We wanted a rigorous course that didn't require ANY help from mom (she abhorred geometry), and this fit our bill and fits your description. He also offers precalculus and calculus.

My 6th grade dd is begging to do American history. She needs a little accommodation from us due to mild general academic malaise. She has above-average reading ability (albeit reluctant). We'd like an affordable, one semester, ability-appropriate survey with a biblical perspective. She has enjoyed MOH vol. 1 format, and the Heroes biographies by the Benges. Has anyone used Christian Liberty Press' "Exploring American History"? It seems to fit the bill. http://www.shopchristianliberty.com/exploring-american-history-second-edition/