Open and go for high school

[springmama]

Is there a such thing as a school in a box type thing for high school? We have been considering homeschooling our 15 year old. We had a long talk this morning and she described her school life to me and I just do not want tosend her back. However, I have never looked at any curriculum for 10th grade and do not have time to research. If we are going to do this, we are starting next week and I need a complete curriculum that I can purchase now and implement quickly without much preparation.

[gingersmom]

I would check out Oak Meadow and Keystone. They also both have active yahoo groups.

There is also Switched on schoolhouse which is computer based.

[Cindy in WA]

Yes, there are open and go curriculums available, but I would encourage you to relax and take your time. Even if it takes a two or three weeks to get the decisions made, the time will be well spent in establishing a solid plan.

First, if you desire to homeschool the rest of high school, make a four year plan. All years have the basics of English and math, but you need to decide if you will do history and science all four years. Then add other requirements, such as health, physical education and a foreign language. Finally, work with your daughter on what type of electives she is interested in, ie: home ec, photography, extra science, music, etc. You will be less likely to forget something if you have a complete high school plan in place. This really isn't difficult. Just chart off a piece of paper in four sections and start writing.

Then decide how you would like to approach these subjects by taking into consideration what type of student you have. Is she highly academic, an average student or a struggling learner, or somewhere in between? You wouldn't want to choose curriculum designed for advanced placement for a student who is average or struggles. Even if she is highly academic, if her public school experience has been traumatic, a less stringent approach may be advisable at least for the first year.

Now you are ready to plug in which curriculum to use for each subject. I'll email you privately so you can ask for assistance with this if you'd like.
HTH
Cindy

[Pam L in Mid Tenn]

Abeka, Bob Jones, Alpha Omega, SOS are all choices for "school in a box" for high school. I've done some subjects from each publisher. My favorites are BJU and SOS.

[Moira in MA]

Both the companies, Oakmeadow (http://www.oakmeadow.com/curriculum/highschool.htm) and Keystone (http://www.keystonehighschool.com/), that Gingersmom has suggested are secular. If you are open to Christian providers your options expand.

I have successfully used:

Sonlight Curriculum (http://www.sonlight.com/aboutus.html) -- used primarily in the earlier grades but selected high school level material was good.
Mother of Divine Grace School (http://www.motherofdivinegrace.org/curriculum/) -- used their syllabus for Geometry

Off the top of my head, there are also:

Hewitt Homeschooling Resources (http://www.hewitthomeschooling.com/home/hmain.asp?h=0), Bob Jones (http://www.bjupress.com/resources/homeschool/thinking-about/) and A Beka Book (https://www.abeka.com/OurHomeSchoolOptions.html) but I have no experience with these.

I'd recommend getting a copy of The Teenage Liberation Handbook (http://www.amazon.com/Teenage-Liberation-Handbook-School-Education/dp/0962959170/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1248963473&sr=8-1) for your dd. At 15, she'll have her own opinions about what she wants to study.

If it is an option for you, why not delay the start of school until after mid-September so that you'll feel less rushed to make a choice?

HTH
Moira

[Tammyla]

This is my short list from last year, there are more out there though.

HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS

American School
2200 E. 170th Street
Lansing, IL 60438
1-800-531-9268

Indiana University High School
Owen Hall 001
790 E. Kirkwood Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47405-7101
1-800-334-1011
scs.indiana.edu/hs/highschooldiploma.html

Keystone National High School
420 West 5th Street
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
1-800-255-4937
www.keystonehighschool.com

North Dakota Division of Independent Study
State University Station
P. O. Box 5036
Fargo, ND 58105-5036
701-231-6000
www.dis.dpi.state.nd.us

Texas Tech University High School Guided Study
P. O. Box 42191
Lubbock, TX 79409-2191
1-800-692-6877
www.dce.ttu.edu


University of Nebraska-Lincoln Independent Study High School
Division of Continuing Studies
269 Nebraska Center for Continuing Education
33 and Holdredge Streets
Lincoln, NE 68583-9400
1-402-472-4422
dcs.unl.edu/ishs

AOP
K12
BJU
ABeka
Seton
Conlara
Oak Meadow
Sonlight

[amtmcm]

How about Notgrass (http://www.notgrass.com/index.php)? American History for 10th grade and World History for 11th grade. It covers English & History, then you'd add math, foreign language and science.

I'm strongly considering using Bob Jones DVD's for high school science and maybe French. Their 11th & 12th grade English also looks excellent. The downside of using the DVD programs is that it makes the day very long, but no longer than a regular school day so your DD would be used to that kind of schedule.

If you would ever consider sending her back to school you might look at accredited programs in your state so her credits would transfer. For instance, Texas Tech ISD is fully accredited in Texas and I am considering having my DD use their program so she would graduate with a diploma.

[EKS]

There's also K12.

[unsinkable]

Seton is open and go.

[springmama]

Thanks so much for all of the replies....I mentioned my dilemma to some friends today. One of them happened to have grades 9-12 of Switched on Schoolhouse sitting in a bag in her home unused. Her neighbor had given it to her but her son is only in 6th grade so will not need them yet. I am going to pick them up in a minute.

Now, how to convince my husband.....

[Karin]

.

Now, how to convince my husband.....


Calmly ;) :) My dh wasn't always interested in homeschooling. First, I'd explain the situation to him, why you think it would be a good idea. My dh doesn't like to be talked into things, but he's willing to listen and consider, especially if I have the facts and information already researched and then give him time to think things over. You don't have a lot of time, of course, and sometimes he agrees with me right when we're discussing it. (I used to be the bull in the china closet type). I think the fact that you can use SOS for free and that it's out of a box will help your case. Are there any homeschool groups or extracurricular activities in case he brings up the socialization issue? Of course, sometimes that's the very thing that causes problems in public school!

Keep in mind that if SOS isn't the best fit, you don't have to stick with it every year.

[Susan C.]

You may not like some of the subjects (in SOS), but you can replace them as you need to. If you post more information I'm sure you can get suggestions for each subject that are very close to "open and go". I have favorites, but use more than one curriculum.

[HayesW]

YOu can always do what I did and make a deal! Our deal was that after the baby was born, we would reevaluate and see how things were going. We agreed things were ok, and we would evaluate again after Christmas. I guess you know how it all turned out, right?

[Pamela H in Texas]

I can't imagine using SOS for every class. But as you look through it, you could use it for one or two. And then find other materials for other classes. It'll work out .

[springmama]

I can't imagine using SOS for every class. But as you look through it, you could use it for one or two. And then find other materials for other classes. It'll work out .


I'm thinking the same now. I just cant have her sitting in front of a screen all day for every subject. I think she'll take history with a friend who teaches history/lit to homeschooled high schoolers, and maybe we'll stick with SOS for Math and Science. I need to see what kind of English class she needs.

I guess the main thing is to make sure she has enough credits to graduates and also to make sure she does well on the ACT test. I want her to take the pre- ACT test this year just to see where we stand.

[springmama]

YOu can always do what I did and make a deal! Our deal was that after the baby was born, we would reevaluate and see how things were going. We agreed things were ok, and we would evaluate again after Christmas. I guess you know how it all turned out, right?


That is pretty much what we are going to do if we do it. I think I have him sold. His eyes were tearing up last night as I described the situation for her at school. I think his main worry is her attitude getting in the way of my ability to teach the younger kids. That is a huge concern of mine as well, but now that I'm convicted to do this, I'm ready to work hard to make sure it turns out well and I think I can do it.

[Cindy in WA]

In my opinion, SOS math is their weakest subject, the English is probably their strongest.

We like Teaching Textbooks or Math Relief for high school math. Or if she's used Saxon in public school, she'd be used to that format.
HTH
Cindy

[springmama]

In my opinion, SOS math is their weakest subject, the English is probably their strongest.

We like Teaching Textbooks or Math Relief for high school math. Or if she's used Saxon in public school, she'd be used to that format.
HTH
Cindy

Thank you. I'm starting to second guess it for math now, after reading some reviews. A local cover school offers Saxon Math 2x a week and I think I may ask her to take that class to get her math credit this year. She has seen the SOS demo, though, and seems to think she'll like it. Is it so bad that I should push hard for something else even if she is adamant about using SOS?

I'm going to look into Teaching Textbooks and Math Relief to see if either of those appeal to her.

[Cindy in WA]

I have not used SOS Math personally, but have not heard good things of it. Saxon is good, kind of a homeschool classic. The one downside to Saxon, is very long lessons. If your daughter struggles with math or dislikes it, I would probably look at something different.

Teaching Textbooks and Math Relief are good programs, but expensive. Watch the used curriculum boards to save some of the cost.

Cindy