Thread: What program are you using?

We just joined the WHO(westbank homeschool org) So far so good. They offer educational field trips, art classes, pe classes, commencement ceremonies, performing arts, cake classes, reading programs, history programs...

We will be going with them on a field trip at the end of the month and I am signing Kurt jr up for the next art class, and next prek history class.

I haven't signed up for any of the correspondence or program type schools as of yet. I've still got a lot of resources that I am able to use for lessons on my own for the boys. Harold is still using a lot of the pre-k and kindergarten lvl type learning materials but when he gets into the higher grades I'll re-visit the plan.

I did order more info about the two programs you guys mentioned though so I can look into it and see if they can provide some extra-curricular activities that might be fun for Harold. I only know personally of two schools, Calvert School and Clonlara that I used when I was home schooled myself. They are still around and have added a bunch of new resources and stuff to their curriculum. Both are accredited and your child actually gets a High School Dipolma through Clonlara when they graduate.

Calvert is still pretty expensive and they only go up to the 8th grade. But they provide everything you need, books, lesson plans, tests, pencils, etc. You get it all in a neat little box for each grade.

Clonlara provides an advisor that will help you with developing lesson plans, finding resources like books, supplies, etc., testing, everything you need for home schooling but they give you a lot of flexibility to tailor your schooling around your life.

I like the flexibility and budget of Clonlara but the Calvert School (if you can afford it) is really fun as well. If you are one of those parents that is looking for the structure that public or private school provides but want to be able to be more flexible and involved in the learning process then Calvert is really a good choice up to the 8th grade.

They also compliment each other. By the time your child gets up to High School through Calvert they have learned the discipline and structure they need to complete High school through Clonlara.

Anyway, I thought I would just throw those options out if anyone is interested. If we had the money I would definitely use both of these schools.

None, I'm doing it on my own.

We do our own too, but I am thinking of sending my kids to a local homeschool academy next year where they can be in a "classroom" with other kids one day a week for things that I'm not good at doing with them (extra curricular mostly) like art, music, Spanish. I even think they do some science and phonics/vocabulary stuff. Nothing core curriculum though.

Glad you found something that you like so much, Nikki! I'll check out their program, I don't know anything about that one.

We'll probably do a mixture of our own stuff but then add in the activities and extra-curriculars through the local homeschooling groups and the sports at school if we're able. We'll see what Ben's interested in, and go from there. I'm pretty flexible, as long as learning is happening.

Connections Academy actually uses books and lessons and their curriculum is built around Calvert. I love it.