Online Science Classes for 2013/2014

We continue to add new courses to Homeschool Connections' list of offerings. We are very happy to be offering more science next school year. Below are our middle and high school science courses currently open for registration. You will find the instructor's biographies below too.

Fall 2013 Semester

Middle School Life Science: Topics in Life Science I; The Cell

(click on course title for more information or to register)

Class dates: Tuesdays, September 10 to November 26, 2013
Total classes: 12
Starting time: 3:30 PM Eastern Time (2:30 Central)
Duration: 1 hour
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 6th to 8th grade
Fee: $160 if you register on or before Aug. 1, 2013. $180 after Aug. 1st for all 12 classes.
Instructor: Kris Correira, PA-C, MHP
Course description: The cell is the basic unit of all Life. This 12-week course introduces middle school kids to what a living organism is; the structure, functions, and processes of cells; and genetics.
Course materials: All reference materials will be provided free by the instructor. A list of required lab supplies will be distributed at the beginning of the semester. Access to a microscope is helpful but not required.
Homework: Labs to be completed each week of varying length.

Digestive and Urinary Systems (Human Biology in the Catholic Tradition)

(click on course title for more information or to register)

Class dates: Thursdays, September 5 to November 21, 2013
Total classes: 10 lectures plus 2 exam dates
Starting time: 2:00 pm Eastern (1:00 Central)
Duration: 1 hour (plus 15 minutes for quiz)
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 9th through 12th grade
Suggested high school credit: 1 full semester Biology
Fee: $160 if you register on or before Aug. 1, 2013. $180 after Aug. 1st for all 10 classes plus 2 test dates.
Instructor: Kris Correira, PA-C, MHP
Course description: Another course in the Human Biology in the Catholic Tradition series, this one focusing on the structure, function, and diseases of the digestive and urinary systems. Course materials: a free companion e-book will be provided.
Homework: Labs to be completed each week of varying lengths.

Musculoskeletal System and Nervous System (Human Biology in the Catholic Tradition)

(click on course title for more information or to register)

Class dates: Thursdays, September 5 to November 21, 2013.
Total classes: 10 lectures plus 2 exam dates.
Starting time: 3:30 pm Eastern (2:30 Central)
Duration: 1 hour (plus 15 minutes before most classes for weekly quiz)
Prerequisite: none
Suggested grade level: 9th to 12th grade
Suggested high school credit: 1 full semester Biology
Fee: $160 if you register on or before August 1, 2013. $180 after Aug. 1 for all 12 classes.
Instructor: Kris Correira, PA-C, MHP
Course description: Anatomy and physiology focusing on the musculoskeletal system and nervous system infused with Catholic thought and history.
Course materials: A FREE electronic book will be provided by the instructor.
Homework: Labs to be completed each week of varying length.

Chemistry/Honors Chemistry, Part One

(click on course title for more information or to register)

Note: This is a 2-part course. Students are expected to register also for Part Two in the spring semester.
Class dates: Mondays and Wednesdays, September 4 to December 18, 2013
Total classes: 30
Starting time: 11:15 AM Eastern (10:15 AM Central)
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes (75 minutes)
Prerequisite: Algebra I, previous or concurrent (Unlimited Access!)
Suggested grade level: 10th to 12th grade
Suggested high school credit: 1 full semester Chemistry I or Honors Chemistry I.
Fee: Chemistry: $225 Early Enrollment; $250 after Early Enrollment.
          Honors Chemistry: $275 Early Enrollment; $300 after Early Enrollment
Instructor: Kathy Dutton
Course description: We will be studying God's creation at the atomic level and discovering how marvelous it is. This college-prep Chemistry course will cover a wide range of topics, from What is an atom? to How and why do atoms react? We will also consider how Chemistry is important for our day-to-day life. Weekly assignments will include homework, lab, and a quiz. There will be 3 to 4 tests per term.
Honors Chemistry Track: There is an optional Honors Chemistry track available for this class. All students will attend the same twice-weekly class. Honors students will be expected to complete more-involved assignments (homework, quizzes, and tests) and additional lab work. Honor students should have a solid background in science and be strong in math, as this option will be more mathematically based. This class meets the prerequisite for an AP Chemistry that is planned for next year. It is suggested, but not mandatory, that if you plan to take AP Chemistry next year you follow the Honors Chemistry track this year.
If you have a question about this course, you may e-mail Mrs. Dutton at kathy.l.dutton@gmail.com.
Course materials: Required: Chemistry, Wilbraham, Staley, Matta, Waterman (Prentice Hall, 2008) ISBN: 0-13-251210-6, Virtual Chemlab (Prentice Hall) ISBN: 0-13-166412-3 Lab supplies - many will be common household supplies; if needed, a lab supply kit will be available from the instructor (price TBD). Note: A couple of good sources for finding used books: Bookfinder and Cathswap (click on titles for websites).
Homework: 4 to 5 hours on class work plus 1-hour lab outside of class. Mrs. Dutton will be available to answer homework or lab questions during scheduled office hours or via e-mail at any time.

Spring 2014 Semester
Note on Middle School Science: We are planning to add a middle school level science course to the Spring 2014 Semester. We will keep you updated here and at the website.

Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems (Human Biology in the Catholic Tradition)

(click on course title for more information or to register)

Class dates: Thursdays, February 6 to May 1. No class Holy Week.
Total classes: 12 (10 classes plus 2 exams)
Starting time: 2:00 PM Eastern (1:00 Central) with a 15 minute quiz available before most classes
Duration: 1 hour (plus 15 minutes for quiz)
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 9th through 12th grade
Suggested high school credit: 1 full semester Biology
Fee: $160 if you register on or before Nov. 1, 2013. $180 after Nov. 1st for all classes.
Instructor: Kris Correira, PA-C, MHP
Course description: Another course in the Human Biology in the Catholic Tradition series, this one focusing on the structure, function, and diseases of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
Course materials: A FREE companion e-book will be provided by the instructor.
Homework: Labs to be completed each week of varying length.

Blood and Immunity (Human Biology in the Catholic Tradition)

(click on course title for more information or to register)

Class dates: Thursdays, February 6 to May 1, 2014. No class Holy Week.
Total classes: 12 (10 classes plus 2 exams)
Starting time: 3:30 PM Eastern (2:30 Central) with a 15 minute quiz available before most classes
Duration: 60 minutes (plus 15 minutes for quiz)
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 9th through 12th grade
Suggested high school credit: 1 full semester Biology
Fee: $160 if you register on or before Nov. 1, 2013. $180 after Nov. 1st for all classes.
Instructor: Kris Correira, PA-C, MHP
Course description: Another course in the Human Biology in the Catholic Tradition series, this one focusing on the structure, function, and diseases of the blood and immune systems.
Course materials: A free companion e-book will be provided by the instructor. Access to a 400x microscope is required. A list of required lab materials to be ordered before the start of class will be provided.
Homework: Labs to be completed each week of varying length

Chemistry/Honors Chemistry, Part Two 

(click on course title to learn more or to register)

Note: This is a 2-part course. Students are welcome to join us midyear if they meet the requirements. Email the instructor for permission through homeschoolconnections@gmail.com. 
Class dates: Mondays and Wednesdays, January 6 to Mary 21, 2014.
Total classes: 30
Starting time: 11:15 AM Eastern (10:15 Central)
Duration: 1.25 hours (75 minutes)
Prerequisite: Chemistry/Honors Chemistry, Part One or equivalent.
Suggested grade level: 10th to 12th grade.
Suggested high school credit: 1 full semester Chemistry
Fee:  Chemistry: $225 Early Enrollment; $250 after Early Enrollment
         Honors Chemistry: $275 Early Enrollment; $300 after Early Enrollment
Instructor: Kathy Dutton
Course description: We will be studying God's creation at the atomic level and discovering how marvelous it is. This college-prep Chemistry course will cover a wide range of topics, from What is an atom? to How and why do atoms react? We will also consider how Chemistry is important for our day-to-day life. Weekly assignments will include homework, lab, and a quiz. There will be 3 to 4 tests per term.
Honors Chemistry Track: There is an optional Honors Chemistry track available for this class. All students will attend the same twice-weekly class. Honors students will be expected to complete more-involved assignments (homework, quizzes, and tests) and additional lab work. Honor students should have a solid background in science and be strong in math, as this option will be more mathematically based. This class meet the prerequisite for an AP Chemistry that is planned for next year. It is suggested, but not mandatory, that if you plan to take AP Chemistry next year you follow the Honors Chemistry track this year. If you have a question about this course, you may e-mail Mrs. Dutton at kathy.l.dutton@gmail.com.
Course materials: Required: Chemistry, Wilbraham, Staley, Matta, Waterman (Prentice Hall, 2008) ISBN: 0-13-251210-6, Virtual Chemlab (Prentice Hall) ISBN: 0-13-166412-3 Lab supplies - many will be common household supplies; if needed, a lab supply kit will be available from the instructor (price TBD)
Homework: 4 to 5 hours on class work and 1-hour lab outside of class. Mrs. Dutton will grade homework and be available to answer homework or lab questions during scheduled office hours or via e-mail at any time.

Science Instructors: Biographies
Kris Correira, PA-C, MHP 
Mrs. Correira is a homeschooling mom of three boys. She worked as a physician assistant in a busy emergency department for over 16 years. She has been teaching paramedic students at Quinsigamond Community College since 1994 and has taught human biology labs at Eastern Connecticut State University. She has over ten years of experience teaching online classes. She received her Bachelor of Arts degrees in Biological Sciences and Computer Science from Wellesley College, and her Physician Assistant Certificate and Masters of Health Professions degree from Northeastern University. You can find Kris on the web at her blog AtHomeScience.blogspot.com or her homeschool blog ScienceOfRelations.blogspot.com or her nature study blog APrivateEyeNature.blogspot.com. You can also find her at daily Mass, Adoration, or whatever event is going on at the small parish to which her family belongs.

Kathy Dutton 
Mrs. Dutton holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Michigan, as well as a BA in Accounting from University of Michigan. Her early career involved research, including work with catalytic converts, neurology, and immunology. Mrs. Dutton has nearly 20 years of teaching and tutoring experience across various venues, including at the university, private tutoring, home-school group classes, and public and Catholic schools. Currently, Mrs. Dutton home schools her youngest son (a high school senior) and teaches an AP Chemistry course. She teaches Catholic religious education and Confirmation preparation classes for her parish. Additionally, Mrs. Dutton devotes time to the Flint Regional Science and Engineering Fair, an ISEF-associated fair. Mrs. Dutton; her husband, Dave; son, Alex; two cats, Taz and Tabby (or is it Tubby?); and dog, Holli, live in mid-Michigan. Her two older sons, Matt and Andy, are on their own.

Music Appreciation for High School

We are very happy to announce, thrilled in fact, that Professor Carol will be teaching music and art appreciation for Homeschool Connections in the fall semester. Yes, THE Professor Carol! We hope you'll join us in this adventure of art and music through history ...

Discovering Western Culture through Music and the Arts

(click on course title to register)

Class dates: Fridays, September 13 to December 13, 2013. No class October 11 and November 29
Total classes: 12 classes plus recorded lectures
Starting time: 2:30 PM Eastern (1:30 PM Central)
Duration: 1 hour
Prerequisite: None. No musical background is necessary.
Suggested grade level: 9th to 12th grade
Suggested high school credit: 1 full semester Music/Art Appreciation
Fee: $175 if you register on or before August 1, 2013. $195 after Aug. 1st for all 12 classes
Instructor: Carol Reynolds, Ph.D. (Professor Carol)
Course description: Journey with Professor Carol through Western History, using music as the focal point but weaving in visual art (painting, sculpture), dance, theater, architecture, and literature. The study of music and the Fine Arts supports the understanding of history, geography, and culture. Elements of science, technology, and language are included in the course as well. Sessions will focus on the years between 1600 and World War One, but will present an overview of Medieval/Renaissance Sacred Music.
Course materials: 1. Discovering Music online curriculum by Professor Carol will be made available to students for half of the regular price ($30 for four months subscription). 2. Music selections assigned by the instructor. These can be accessed in one of four ways. Choose the one that best suits your family: a) Free by searching your public library or YouTube; b) Classical Archives ($8 per month); c) Naxos ($20 per year); OR d) purchase 3-CD set from the instructor (HSC discounted price $34.95).
Homework: This is not a course for the faint of heart. We’ll have a lot of fun as we discover music together, but students should expect a good amount of work outside of the classroom in that discovery. Homework will entail: 1. Viewing recorded classes in advance to the live classes. 2. Viewing assigned artwork and listening to music. 3. Interactive quizzes. 4. A midterm and a final exam (fill-in-blank, short essays, long essays, with answers/suggested answers). 5. Unit projects to be determined. Due to the nature of the medium, we encourage students more than ever to share their learning experience and the resources used in this course with the rest of their family.

Discovering Western Culture through Music and the Arts

(click on course title to register)

Instructor biography for Carol Reynolds, Ph.D.

Dr. Carol Reynolds weaves energy, humor, and history into everything she does.   After a career as a professor at Southern Methodist University, Dallas, “Professor Carol” and husband Hank moved to a ranch and began creating Fine Arts courses for students and adults.  Her unprecedented Discovering Music: 300 Years of Interaction in Western Music, Arts, History, & Culture and Exploring America’s Musical Heritage reach across the world.  Her new course History of Early Sacred Music will appear this summer, as well as online courses on Russian Music, Research Skills for Students Entering College, and a new series on American Music.  A pianist and organist, she is a popular speaker for the Van Cliburn Series, The Dallas Symphony, opera companies, and museums.  She works frequently in Eastern Europe and Russia as Study Leader for The Smithsonian.

Attaining the Necessary Skills for Success in College

Build Your Teen's College Skill Set
Plus Scope and Sequence

Are you and your high school student(s) planning for college? If so, there are certain skill sets that are particularly important to acquire.

Study Skills: Students need to know how to manage their time and meet deadlines. The brightest student can still flounder if these skills are not learned. The successful college student also needs good note taking and basic study skills so that they can get the most out of their classes and homework. After completing HSC's Study Skills and Note Taking course, students will put these skills into practice through their high school years and will therefore be better prepared for college.

Communication Skills: Strong communication skills will greatly benefit your student in any college major or career field. HSC offers a course to help students learn and practice good communications. In the Leadership and Communications Skills course, students learn speaking skills, listening skills, conflict management, and more.

Leadership Skills: The most successful students are often the ones who are also leaders. As Catholics, it is important that our students become people who are a positive influence at school and in the world. HSC's Leadership and  Communications Skills course will encourage them to be people of service, show them how to be a faith-filled leader, and more.

Writing Skills: It's not enough to learn lessons taught in school, students need to be able to communicate the lessons learned in writing. Strong writing skills are vital for college success. HSC offers a strong writing program (Aquinas Writing Advantage) that will take your student from the basics (grammar, punctuation, vocabulary) to the advanced (rhetoric, research, academic papers). Your student will be ready for college writing after successfully completing these writing courses.

Critical Thinking Skills: Education should not be about cramming facts into children's heads. It should be about giving them a love for learning and the ability to think. We highly recommend formal logic and philosophy to help your student think critically and therefore succeed in all their school subjects. Logic and Philosophy are not electives -- they are vital to a core curriculum. HSC offers a variety of courses that teach your student critical thinking skills, while at the same time raising their hearts to God and finding the beauty of their Catholic faith.

ACT/SAT Test Skills: To help your student get into the college of his choice, and get the best scholarship possible, we offer courses on preparing for the ACT and SAT tests. Your student will learn how to prepare for the test, what to expect, manage time, and more for success. Latin studies should also be considered, for a variety of reasons including the evidence that Latin studies increase ACT and SAT scores.

Most Importantly -- How to Evaluate Ideas through a Catholic Lens:
In college your student will encounter many new ideas and assumptions. Some of them will be potentially damaging. We want to give your student the necessary tools to recognize and understand the worldviews they encounter and know how to articulate their own beliefs effectively and convincingly. All of HSC instructors are Catholic and teach their courses through a Catholic lens, thus demonstrating to your student how God is evident in everything. Our theology courses will specifically prepare your student to defend his faith when he goes out into the world, as well as help him build a solid foundation of faith for his life.

All of the mentioned courses are currently available through our Unlimited Access! program. These are recorded classes that can be taken on your schedule and at your pace ... and very reasonably priced! To learn more, email us at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com or visit http://homeschoolconnectionsonline.com/online-catholic-course-catalog/recorded-courses/

Writing, Philosophy, Logic, Theology, and Study Skills will also be offered as live, interactive courses in the 2013/2014 school year. Courses are open for registration. Please visit http://homeschoolconnectionsonline.com/online-catholic-course-catalog/ or email for more information.

There is one more skill set I'd like to mention ...
How to Use Technology in Education:
In HSC's online courses, students become familiar with the same, or similar, technology they’ll encounter in college. They learn how to be engaged participants in a live, interactive webinar and gain experience using online tools to collaborate with their instructor and fellow students from across the country and the world. This is a skill set that will help them advance in higher education as well as the business place.

Recommended Homeschool Connections College Skill Set Courses
Note: We offer a wide variety of courses and this recommended scope and sequence can easily be adjusted to fit your student's needs. Of course, you'll also want to include history, science, and moth.

9th Grade
How to be an Excellent Student: Note Taking, Test Taking, and How to Get an A (4 weeks)
Elements of Writing: Essential Punctuation and Grammar (6 weeks)
Simplified Writing (8 weeks)
Excellent Paragraph and Essay/Test Writing (6 weeks)

Introduction to Formal Logic (12 weeks)

Latin I (24 weeks)

Catholic Apologetics (12 to 24 weeks)

10th Grade

Vocabulary and Writing 1 (14 weeks)

Vocabulary and Writing 2 (14 weeks)

Advanced Formal Logic (12 weeks)

Latin II (24 weeks)

Philosophy 101: What Do Philosophers Do and How (8 weeks)

Advanced Catholic Apologetics (12 weeks)

11th Grade

Creative (Fiction) Writing (16 to 24 weeks)

Latin III/IV (24 weeks)

ACT/SAT Prep (4 weeks)

Thomistic Philosophy (12 to 24 weeks)

Understanding Our Faith Series (8 to 16 weeks)

12th Grade

Leadership and Communications (6 weeks)

Advanced Writing and Rhetoric (10 weeks)

Advanced Research Writing  (10 weeks)

Theology of the Body Series (24 weeks)

Early Modern Philosophy (12 weeks)

Philosophy of God: Natural Theology (12 weeks)

Pre-K to 8th Grade Curriculum: Mater Amabilis (Free!)

Homeschool Connections specializes in online education for middle and high school students. The classes offered for middle school are fewer in number than the classes offered for high school. We believe, strongly, that the current technology works great for older students but is not appropriate for grade school students.

We sometimes get requests from parents for grade school classes. However, the earliest our courses begin is 6th grade and those are few. Our philosophy is that younger students need to spend as little time as possible on the computer.

If you have preschool to grade school children, we highly recommend Mater Amabilis. This is a free Charlotte Mason curriculum for Catholic homeschooling families. Yes, FREE! It was put together by a group of dedicated Catholic home educators in the U.S. and England to be given freely to the entire Catholic homeschooling community.

Thousands upon thousands of Catholic homeschooling families have used Mater Amabilis over the years. I heard from one just yesterday:

I am so appreciative for Homeschool Connections and Mater Amabilis as we have benefited greatly from both your offerings in our homeschool over the years. Bravo!!
 ~ Meredith Henning, author of Mondays with Mary

 If you are interested in learning more, please click here: Mater Amabilis: A Pre-K to Eighth Grade Charlotte Mason Style Curriculum.

Beginning Spanish: Online Classes

Spanish I (Beginning Spanish), Part One 

(click on title to register)

Course dates: Wednesdays, September 4 to December 4, 2013.
Total classes: 12 live classes plus 12 recorded lectures for a total of 24 classes.
Starting time: 12:30 PM Eastern (11:30 AM Central)
Duration: 1 hour
Prerequisite: Spanish ½, Introduction to Spanish (Unlimited Access!) or equivalent. Students taking Spanish I should know the Spanish concept of articles, nouns and adjectives, the conjugation of verbs “ser and estar” in the present tense, possessive adjectives and being able to use basic vocabulary in Spanish.
Note: If you have no Spanish experience at all, you can prepare for this course over the summer by reviewing Spanish 1/2 through Unlimited Access (recorded classes) or working through the workbook on your own: Spanish 100+ Series (click on title for ordering information - answer key is included)
Suggested grade level: 7th - 11th grade
Suggested high school credit: 1 full semester Spanish or Foreign Language
Fee: $220 if you register on or before Aug. 1, 2013. $240 after Aug. 1st for all 24 classes.
Instructor: Irma Luz Schmitt, MA
Course description: In Spanish 1, students learn to conjugate regular, irregular and stem-changing verbs in present time. In addition, students learn other grammar concepts, such as comparisons, superlatives, a personal, etc. As a complement to the class in real time, students will have opportunity to view a recorded class each week that includes exercises in new vocabulary and pronunciation practice.
Course materials: TBA
Homework: In order to help students practice the Spanish Language every day, each week they will be required to view a video reviewing vocabulary, prepare a recording, complete a vocabulary quiz, and write in Spanish.

Spanish I (Beginning Spanish), Part One 

(click on title to register)

College Preparatory Latin Online Classes

Latin III/IV College Preparatory, Part One

(click on course title to register)

Notes: This is a 2-part course. Students are expected to register for Part Two starting in January. 
Registration is limited to 10 students only. 

Class dates: Tuesdays, September 17 to December 10, 2013. No class October 29.
Total classes: 12
Starting time: 12:30 PM Eastern (11:30 Central)
Duration: I hour
Prerequisite: Two to three years of Latin, has completed the Wheelock's textbook (Unlimited Access!), or equivalent. Email us at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com if you’re unsure if your student meets the equivalent. 
Suggested grade level: 11th to 12th grade
Suggested high school credit: 1 full semester Latin or Foreign Language
Fee: $185 if you register on or before Aug. 1, 2013. $205 after August 1st for all 12 classes.
Instructor: Emily Henry
Course description: This course is an advanced study of Latin for students who enjoy the language, have covered all the basic grammatical concepts, and are still eager for more! We will focus primarily on translation, with a few grammatical pointers/mini-lessons as needed. We will work through portions of Vergil's Aeneid, translating the original epic poem from Latin into English. Students will be required to prepare a certain number of lines for each class. We will cover our translations together, discuss the grammar and syntax, etc. We will also explore other ancient authors such as Augustine and will translate portions of the Latin Mass together. This class may be used as an AP Latin course and will prepare students for college level Latin.
Course materials: Pharr's Aeneid (click on title for ordering information)
Homework: Students will spend 1-2 hours per day (depending on proficiency in Latin) on translations. This course will cover portions of Vergil's Aeneid, the Latin Mass, and St. Augustine. Students will gain practice with both ancient, Church, and Medieval Latin. There will be two exams. All homework graded by the instructor.

Latin III/IV College Preparatory, Part One

(click on course title to register)

Do Homeschool Programs Need to Be Accredited?

FAQ: Accreditation and Homeschool Connections

Q. What is accreditation?
• Accreditation is a voluntary process, performed by private, nongovernmental agencies.
• There is no central control or authority.
• There are good accrediting agencies and bad ones.
• One accrediting organization is not legally designated as being superior over another.

Q. What does accreditation have to do with learning?
• Nothing directly. It measures standards and does not develop educational programs.
• Some of the worst public schools and private schools are accredited.
• Some of the best are not.

Q. What is the purpose of accreditation?
• The main function is to weed out diploma mills and other education scams.
• Gives assurance that the educational institution being reviewed is legitimate and meets minimum standards.

Q. What is the usefulness of accreditation for homeschool families?
• Educationally, there is little usefulness for students and their families.
• Does provide a comfort factor for parents, giving them assurance by a 3rd party that the program meets minimum standards. However, parents must still determine if the accrediting body is legitimate.
• Useful to schools for marketing and recruiting.
• May be helpful in some cases if putting children into a public or private high school after homeschooling partway through high school.
• Possible requirement for NCAA scholarships.

Q. What if I want to design my own curriculum or use a non-accredited program, but am one of the rare cases where accreditation is necessary?
• There are several accredited agencies that will review your course of study and issue an accredited diploma for a fee. These programs include, but are not limited to:
     Clonlara
     NARHS
     West River Academy
We have not used these programs personally, so cannot recommend one over the other. As always, do your research.

Q. Is Homeschool Connections accredited?
• No. Our policy is that parents are the ultimate authority in their child’s education.
• Non-accreditation allows us more flexibility.
• Non-accreditation keeps our classes inexpensive.
• Home education does not involve attending a school.
• We are not a school, but an online curriculum provider.
• Our focus is providing the best online curriculum for use at home, not accreditation.
• As private homeschoolers, parents are the ones who provide “accreditation” for their child’s education.
• The quality of home education is assured by parents, not a 3rd party or accrediting body.
• Students using our program are educated at home by themselves and their parents. We merely assist the students and parents with online classes and other services.

Q. What about transferring to a public or private high school after homeschooling? Will lack of accreditation affect my student? 
• Some high schools will require an accredited transcript.
• If the school will not accept a student’s transcript, they will likely evaluate the student using standardized testing, whether the homeschool program is accredited or not.
• If you have plans to put your child into a local site-based school, check their policy on transfer students.

Q. Is it necessary to have attended an accredited high school or program to be accepted to a college or university?    
• No. The high school’s accreditation or non-accreditation status is not a factor in the evaluation of a high school student’s eligibility for college admission, except in rare cases.  Check with prospective colleges if you are unsure.
• A school’s accredited status from any accrediting organization does not provide a legal guarantee that a student will be accepted into any private or public institution.
• The majority of students are accepted into colleges based on an evaluation of their application, the results of their Classic Learning Test (CLT), Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), or American College Testing (ACT) scores, and their high school Grade Point Average (GPA).

If you have further questions about Homeschool Connections' accreditation policy, please do not hesitate to email us at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com

Note: This FAQ refers to the accreditation of K to 12 education. College accreditation is a completely different topic. We recommend attending an accredited college, especially if you are planning to attend graduate school or if you are entering a profession that requires an accredited college degree.