Need help with homeschooling

[Sleepy]

Please no debates on what is best.......public/private/homeschooling.

My son just started 9th grade. Due to other obligations, he must leave his public school early everyday, giving him only 4 credits toward this years required amount of 7. The other 3 credits must be homeschooled electives. I have never done this before and I am so lost in the fog it feels like nothing can help me find my way out. Unfortunately, I live in a location that does not offer a large homeschooling network and my son's guidance counselor seems unknowledgeable about the homeschooling option. I know they are not a public library with a wealth of information, but I would have expected more assistance other than giving me one brochure from a school and saying "There are others, just do a google."

I am so confused. I have no idea what other programs there are other than Brigham Young University, which is the only brochure given to me. I do several searches and they come up with way too much info, but nothing too specific as far as programs that offer classes. Can someone who homeschools high school aged kids please help me? I want to ensure he is taking elective classes that will be accepted by his school so that he will have the entire 7 credits to advance to 10th grade. The classes must be so that we can do them independantly and with limited access to supplies. Our community is small. Homeschooling is not usually done here unless you are looking for subjects like AP English, etc. Electives are not sought after subjects. Any help is appreciated.

 

[tw1nsmom]

I really think you need to go back and ask the school these questions again. Are you in Italy? I wouldn't begin to be able to tell you what kinds of classes the schools there will accept.

 

[Sleepy]

It's an American school run by the Dept of Defense. They require the same sort of classes any other school in America would require. PE, fine arts, etc

 

[The Mystery Machine]

You want him to have credit toward the High School? What do they allow? I could see that as an issue. I have never heard of homeschooling, being able to be credited toward High School, but I suppose it can be done. Lots of kids homeschool...

Firstly you need to find out what is allowed as credit SPECIFICALLY before you begin.

 

[Uncle Remus]

I might have a better response if I calmed myself first,
but here goes anyway:
Why not go back to your kid's school and tell the counselor
there to do her damn job by advising you what to do?

 

[hlbtimes2]

Have you looked at the classes offered by the school to see what you can come up with that is simular? For example, do they offer photography? Could you get some books and a camera and work from there? How about cooking? A foreign language?

Here is something our school district offers http://www.iacademy.org/IA/AboutIA/Welcome.html I'm not sure if they would allow you to sign up since you are out of our state- but it might be a starting point. If you cant enroll him, they might be able to point you in the direction of a simular program that would work for him.

 

[hlbtimes2]

I just had a brainstorm- you are in Italy. Why not learn Italian, study art history and photography? Seems like that would give 3 credits- would take advantage of where you are located and get a lot out of it! And, all 3 could be worked on at the same time. Read about the location in Italian, take a picture or 10 of the subject, and study the artist/ art.

 

[CraftyMouse]

We homeschool through Laurel Springs in Ojai, CA. Their website is www.laurelsprings.com Laurel Springs is just one of many that offer homeschooling curriculuum. A websearch on homeschool programs will probably give you other choices.

LS offers full or partial enrollment so he would be able to take just the classes he needs. Their class offerings are listed on the website so that will give you a good idea of what they offer. We have been extremely pleased with the materials and teachers LS has provided to our kids. DD14 is just starting her Junior year of HS and DS11 is starting 8th grade. They both enjoy the courses they have taken.

Good luck!

 

[LisaR]

Here are a couple of online programs you could check into. They would count towards high school credit in the U.S. but I can't speak for Italy.
www.k12.com

http://www.aop.com/home

Besides Brigham Young, I believe Stanford is also offering online programs. Both are very expensive.

Another option would be duel enrollment in a community college. Again, that works here but I am not sure about Italy. You need to find out exactly what classes he needs to make up the three credits.

 

[disykat]

I might have a better response if I calmed myself first,
but here goes anyway:
Why not go back to your kid's school and tell the counselor
there to do her damn job by advising you what to do?

??? How is it the school counselor's job to advise about homeschooling?? Wouldn't that be like expecting the public school counselor to advise you what classes to take at the private school?

While I don't think you can ask for the school to figure out your homeschooling for you, I would think it would be quite acceptable to figure out your options and then ask if those classes would be transferable into your school.

 

[Longsx3]

http://www.dodea.edu/college/grad.htm That is a link to the DODDS graduation requirements take a look and find what DS is missing and fill in the blanks. I would also suggest taking a look at some College requirements so that you are meeting those as well. For instance if your a florida resident your DS can still qualify for Florida Bright Scholars as long as he meets the GPA and course requirements.

I think that because you are overseas and the school year has started already that I would suggest a computer based curriculum. There is such a lag time with the post office it could take a few weeks to get books.

If your DS is accelerated here are a couple of options:
http://epgy.stanford.edu/courses/
http://www.jhu.edu/cty/cde/index.html

 

[sha_lyn]

??? How is it the school counselor's job to advise about homeschooling?? Wouldn't that be like expecting the public school counselor to advise you what classes to take at the private school?

The school will be giving him credit for the classes if they will accept them. Who other than the school could tell her what programs they would accept?

It sounds as if you need to find accredited classes. I'm assuming you are US citizens stationed in Italy through the military/DOD. You might want to see what he could qualify for though the state that you are legal residents of.

 

[LisaR]

You might want to see what he could qualify for though the state that you are legal residents of.

That is a great idea. In FL, we have online classes you can take for free toward your high school credit. I think I read recently that something like 28 states offer this.

 

[Claudia1]

My daughter and another student took high school classes online at Indiana University High School. It is an ACCREDITED high school program that also offers dual high school & college courses.

Here's the link to the courses: IUHS courses

Here's the link to the diploma info:
IUHS diploma

It is a great program to use in tandem with a high school curriculum if you need extra credits (and your school accepts them) or you can transfer your local high school credits to IUHS to earn a diploma from them. For special ed students, they honor the existing IEP. (I know that you did not say anything about special ed but some other DISers might use that info.)

 

[EthansMom]

You might try reading/posting to these threads: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=748639&referrerid=93883&highlight=homeschool & http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=840970&referrerid=93883&highlight=homeschool

Good Luck!

 

[Beca]

If your son is accelerated, I also second the Stanford recommendation. Also, Bob Jones University out of Oklahoma is another really good homeschool program. You can tailor what requirements you are looking for yourself.

 

[disykat]

The school will be giving him credit for the classes if they will accept them. Who other than the school could tell her what programs they would accept?

.

That's why I suggested once she figures out some options she check with the school to see if credit will transfer. That is the part they can help her with. I just didn't get the extreme anger Uncle Remus had that the school counselor didn't tell the OP what to do. The whole point of "home"schooling is that you make those decisions, not the school.

 

[PrincessParty]

When I lived in Germany, the classes I had to be homeschooled in were American Government. Although, I wasn't going to a DOD school. I still remember the "I'm a bill" video! For my situation, we contacted the high school in my hometown (home of record) and they provided the info.

 

[Barb D]

Here's a correspondence school that provides an accredited high school diploma. I don't know if they offer individual classes or not. (ETA: After poking around the web page, it looks as if they do.)

http://www.americanschoolofcorr.org/

 

[minkydog]

My DS20 graduated from American School, an accredited correspondence High School in Illinois. It wasn't easy that's for sure. The texts were standard High School fare and they do offer individual classes. DS loved taking psychology and sociology(econ and govt, not so much ) and was able to go as fast or slow as he needed to.http://www.americanschoolofcorr.org/