| Author | |
cybertreks
Forum Rookie
Joined: June 23 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12
|
| Posted: June 23 2006 at 8:31am | IP Logged
|
 |
|
Hi. I'm new to this forum, although I think I know some familiar faces here from another board I'm on. Let me introduce myself briefly, and ask you all a question...
I'm the mother of 4: 2 high school graduates, 1 high schooler, and 1 middle schooler. 1 girl, then 3 boys. I'm a recent convert to Catholicism, and as for homeschooling, I homeschooled for 12 years or so a while ago, before transitioning my children to public school. Then last year, when we realized that the younger two boys were declining in their interest, academic achievement, etc in the public school, we moved the two of them, grades 7 & 9, to Catholic school. We were thrilled with the school, and thought we were set. Until my 9th grader decided to smoke pot. Graciously, the school allowed him to withdraw rather than be expelled (thus keeping open the possibility of returning in 11th grade); the 7th grader continues at Catholic school. So the 9th grader and I cobbled together tutors to salvage his last quarter, and now we are looking about for options for 10th grade.
We've decided not to allow the public school option for him, since he didn't do well academically in that environment before. We've decided not to fund another private (non-Catholic)school because he didn't value private school before when he had it. So we are left with homeschooling. I've done it before, but I don't at this point feel capable of tackling high school subjects to do them justice, nor do I have the desire to, honestly. So I'm looking into online schools, private tutors, or some other alternative that requires accountability to someone besides myself.
I asked at the Catholic school what would look best on his transcript in order for them to reconsider him for admission in 11th grade, and the headmaster mentioned Kolbe Academy. Do any of you use Kolbe? How much accountability is there? Are there other programs you'd recommend looking into that are comparable? (I browsed around last night and found Laura Berquist's Mother of Divine Mercy that seemed like it would fill the bill as well...) Anyway, I know I'm new here and I've probably got a lot of nerve posting all this! But I'd love to hear any input, recommendations, etc. you've got.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Kim F
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 03 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 326
|
| Posted: June 23 2006 at 8:38am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Honestly there wasn't a good deal of accountability with Kolbe when we used it. I didn't find much with MODG when our friends had it, nor with Our Lady of Victory. Basically you send work in quarterly with Kolbe and I think by semester you speak with the proctor at MODG. Both assume the parent is the head teacher and they hold the records for you and troubleshoot if need be. They don't however second guess your grading or do that for you.
Seton has some more direct contact with the student through their online program. That would be the only program I am familiar with of that type. It is also closest to public school in its types of courses as far as a transcript would go if you are definitely planning to re-enter.
Kim
__________________
Starry sky ranch
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
lapazfarm
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 21 2005
Location: Alaska
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6082
|
| Posted: June 23 2006 at 8:42am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I would also suggest Seton, as they seem like they would be a good fit. Very traditional Catholic education with lots of accountability and support.
Good luck!
__________________
Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
ALmom
Forum All-Star
Joined: May 18 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3299
|
| Posted: June 23 2006 at 1:34pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Kolbe does offer a new program now where you submit work for grading, etc. so there is some more accountability. They are good to provide as much or as little input as you ask for. However, they are trying to provide support to help wean parent from needing outside graders, etc. This, in the long term, I think, helps parent and child forge a really special relationship but can be extremely stressful if you try to keep up with the extensive classical materials in their plan.
If you are lookig to hand over the curriculum and decisions to someone else, then Seton would be the only one I know of. It also has regional accreditation, so it shouldn't be a problem with credits anywhere. Seton might be a better fit. Be sure to speak extensively with both.
By way of comparison, I felt Seton took over too much and was looking for the typical memorize and regurgitate (may be just like what son did not do well with in ps) except the content is Catholic and the pace is faster). Kolbe wanted you to take charge but would provide more in depth help if asked (now they have a additional fee for this) and materials were more thought provoking and tended to value the thought process more. Seton tended to tell the child what they had to believe and sometimes acted like the child was persnippity if they questioned anything (not generally the counselors but often the moderators on the message board.) Kolbe led the child to discover these beliefs and make them their own through the kind of questions they asked and expected active engagement of the student - mostly in writing papers. Seton is sometimes uptight about what the child may be exposed to and Kolbe is sometimes a bit loose in some of the materials (I would not have my dd read some of their literature assignments). With Seton, you must hand in the materials that they grade. There isn't any room for substituting a different book, etc. In Kolbe, you do what you want so I can dump the lit I don't like and substitute something else.
Janet
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
cybertreks
Forum Rookie
Joined: June 23 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12
|
| Posted: June 23 2006 at 2:49pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Kim, Janet says Kolbe has a new teacher assistance thing going...did you use it prior to that? It's good to hear what happens in reality, rather than just going with what they state will ideally happen! MODG says that it is offering "Teacher Directed Services" which includes a teacher speaking with the student once a week. Maybe this is something new? Do you know anything about the 'personality' of MODG?
Theresa, Have you used Seton? Part of my problem, I guess, is that although my dh and I converted Easter a year ago, my son did not. He isn't sure about all this Catholic stuff, and I'm not about to push anything on him. So I'm afraid that if Seton is "very traditional Catholic", that might be too much of a turn-off to him. KWIM?
Janet, I appreciated your comparison of the two in terms of what they ask for from the learner. It sounds like I'd like Seton better for the structure and accountability, but Kolbe better for their perspective on the learner. I'm actually an unschooler, non-coercive type parent at heart, but in reality, if he's going to go back to Catholic school (which is what we all are hoping can happen) he's got to have the transcript that will recommend him for acceptance. He's got ADHD, and really needs the focus that a more structured environment can lend.
------Beth
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
lapazfarm
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 21 2005
Location: Alaska
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6082
|
| Posted: June 23 2006 at 3:29pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Beth,
I have never used Seton. Not my style at all. I know lots of folks who do or have used it, so am familiar with it. The reason I suggested it is that I was thinking that it would be the most similar to what ds experienced in Catholic school, and would be going back to when he returns there. So I was thinking it would be less disruptive since it is a temporary situation for ds.
What I meant by " very traditional Catholic education" is that they operate very much like a typical brick and mortar Catholic school. Things are done in a traditional way, with tests and term papers and such. If ds does not balk at the "Catholicity" of the school he attends, then he should not object to Seton too much, though they do use as many Catholic materials as they can and some Catholic schools do not.
Also, Seton has been around for awhile, has a proven track record, and is widely recognized and accredited, so the transcripts from there should go over well with the school ds ends up in. (Kolbe's would, too)
That said, check out their website and I'm sure you will get alot more info.
Hope that helps!
__________________
Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Kelly
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 21 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1211
|
| Posted: June 23 2006 at 6:24pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Welcome to this forum, Beth. As a fellow convert, I can vouch for the fact that this board will be a wonderful resource for you and your family in your homeschooling and faith journey! 
As for highschool options, why don't you take a look at the online school, Regina Coeli? I really like it-and there IS accountability. Small classes, give and take, discussion with teachers, and a Regina Coeli forum for the students. It is indeed Catholic, but they have had plenty Protestants students, so I wouldn't worry about it being too-traditional for your son. That's not to say it's watered down Catholicism or anything, it's not, but I have found their discussions creative and thought-provoking, evangelism in a "soft" manner. As with any online program, it has its technical challenges, but on the whole, we are very, very pleased with it for our teens.
Kelly in FL
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
8kids4me
Forum Pro
Joined: May 03 2006
Location: New York
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 328
|
| Posted: June 23 2006 at 7:12pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
cybertreks wrote:
I asked at the Catholic school what would look best on his transcript in order for them to reconsider him for admission in 11th grade, and the headmaster mentioned Kolbe Academy. |
|
|
May I ask why they need an official transcript? Our Catholic high school admitted my homeschoolers with nothing more than a piece of paper with the list of courses and grades on them(that I prepared). They then did a placement test to determine where to put them in Math(since I used Saxon and they had never heard of it). My kids were the first homeschoolers the school had ever heard of(and this was back in '94) but the policy has not changed over the years.
__________________
Cindy B, mama to 8 great kids, and 5 grandbabies!
http://www.magnolialane.wordpress.com
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
cybertreks
Forum Rookie
Joined: June 23 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12
|
| Posted: June 23 2006 at 11:03pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Kelly wrote:
As for highschool options, why don't you take a look at the online school, Regina Coeli? I really like it-and there IS accountability. Small classes, give and take, discussion with teachers, and a Regina Coeli forum for the students.
Kelly in FL |
|
|
Thanks for the recommendation, Kelly...I will look into it.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
cybertreks
Forum Rookie
Joined: June 23 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12
|
| Posted: June 23 2006 at 11:09pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
8kids4me wrote:
| May I ask why they need an official transcript? |
|
|
Well, he was admitted with glowing recommendations when he went to this school. But when you have a disciplinary issue like that, you want every advantage when it comes around to convincing them that your child reallly deserves a second chance. So that's what was behind the question to the admissions office. Besides, admission here is very competitive; it's the only Catholic school within 150 miles, and they turn kids down. My ds really needs to distinguish himself, after blowing his first chance so thoroughly. But he has really learned a lot from this loss, and I think if he works hard in the coming year and pulls out grades that are indicative of hard work, they may be willing to consider him.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
stacykay
Forum All-Star
Joined: April 08 2006
Location: Michigan
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1858
|
| Posted: June 24 2006 at 6:23pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I don't think I can offer anymore suggestions for schools.
As far as subjects go, Saxon has the "new" D.I.V.E. cd's for teaching math. My boys have enjoyed them.
I will pray for you and for your son.
God Bless,
Stacy
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
|
|
4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Suddenly...I find myself a homeschooler
