Homeschool Curriculum Resources

Basic Info for Virginia Homeschoolers | Homeschool Curriculum

CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOLS
There are available to families school programs in which the academic work is completed at home but the chapter tests and daily work are sent through the mail to a school to be graded and approved. These programs are high in accountability and structure. There is very little flexibility, but a lot of support. Some programs have teachers assigned to your family. Some options include: Calvert School, Home Study International, A Beka Correspondence, A Beka Video School, and Christian Liberty Academy. Be sure to take a look at the accompanying list.

A BEKA Correspondence School
Nursery-12, $400-$595. Ministry of Pensacola College. Focus: evangelical Christian. Rules are strict: no discounts, no payment plans, no refunds, no course alterations allowed. May purchase individual books without enrolling. Bible program available. Has grades 1-12 on video. Teacher's manuals are leased and must be returned. A Beka, P.O. Box 18000, Pensacola, Florida 32523-9160; 1-800-874-BEKA (2352) for free catalog.

Calvert School
K (a readiness program) - 8, $250-$460. Focus: public school civic religion as it used to be. It's a private school with a "Christian culture" flavor. Has been around since 1897. Advisory teaching service at additional cost. No discounts, no refunds once course starts, can get partial refund for teaching service. Some new video courses. Teacher's manuals are leased and must be returned or destroyed. Call 1-410-243-6030 for free brochure. 105 Tuscany Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21210-3098.

Christian Liberty Academy (CLASS)
K-12, $150(K-4)-$260. Focus: evangelical Christian. Firm but friendly. If you use full enrollment, must complete all pages in almost every workbook. Can use family plan enrollment option for testing and curriculum only. Design your own schedule, academically early. 502 W. Euclid Avenue, Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004. 1-800-348-0899. Local Rep: Joyce Wardrick, Washington, D.C. 1-202-310-1934; Customer service: 847-259-4444; CLASS Info Pack: 1-800-348-0899.

COMPUTERS
The use of computers in education continues to grow. Many great books and companies are available to help you discover more about this great resource. Just two are listed here to get you started.

Pride's Guide to Educational Software, by Bill & Mary Pride. Available through Home Life, P.O. Box 1250, Fenton, Missouri 63026-1850; 1-800-346-6322. The Prides also publish a magazine, Practical Homeschooling, that usually contains many articles, ads, and reviews on computer software. It is available from the same address.

The Home Computer Market, P.O. Box 385377, Bloomington, Minnesota 55438; phone: 1-612-844-0462 or 1-800-827-7420; This company sells software, computers, books and more. They also give their personal recommendations to homeschool families.

Accelerated Christian Education (A.C.E.) or Basic Education
K-12, $135-$280. The curriculum contains four core subjects: English, math, social studies, and science. Taught through self-contained and self-instructional work texts called PACES, SELF-PACS, and Self-Texts. Teacher's manual only available for the basic reading program; the rest is mostly self-instructional. Has "School of Tomorrow" program to bring A.C.E. into the computer and video age. Contact: Living Heritage Academy, P.O. Box 299000, Lewisville, Texas 75029; phone: 1-800-925-7777 for information.

Advance Training Institute International (ATI)
K-12, $675 per family including training seminar. Focus: evangelical Christian. Demanding but flexible. Must attend two Institute in Basic Life Principle seminars to apply, and one-week training after accepted. Curriculum only available to enrollees. 1-630-323-9800 for free catalog. Box 1, Oak Brook, Illinois 60522-3001.

Alpha Omega Publications
K-12, $330(K)-$195-$290(1-12). Focus: evangelical Christian. Friendly but no support service. Can go through Summit Christian Academy or Christian Light Education for a correspondence program. Emphasis is on workbooks. 1-800-622-3070, Ext. 3TH. Ask for free catalog. 300 N. McKemy Avenue, Chandler, Arizona 85226.

Bob Jones University Press
Pre-K to 12, $22-$180. Can be purchased individually. Focus: evangelical Christian. Extremely friendly: has toll-free consultation, annual homeschooling conference, and has national testing service. Extensive Bible program available. 1-800-845-5731 for free catalog and curriculum overviews. Greenville, South Carolina 29614-0062.

Christian Light Education
K-12, $120/year/pupil + curriculum materials. Focus: conservative Mennonite. Christian Light has revised the Alpha Omega LIFEPACS to remove the fantasy, etc., and combines the units with some of their own publications. Three enrollment options. Christian Light Education, P.O. Box 1212, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22801-1212; call 1-540-434-0750 for free catalog.

Christ-Centered Curriculum for Early Childhood
Pre-K-2, teacher's packet $170, three student packets $38-$59, or can purchase individually. Focus: Christian. Doreen Claggett, the author of Never Too Early, has also written this curriculum for ages 3 to 7. This is a serious attempt at a truly Christian, foundational program. Includes phonics, math with manipulatives, and Bible. CCP, P.O. Box 968, Tullahoma, Tennessee 37388-0968. 1-800-884-7858 for a catalog; 1-800-778-4318 to order; Help line: 1-931-393-4150.

The Classics
Grades 3-6, but can be used by other grades. Twelve unit/each $75. Literature-based, multilevel. Includes all subjects, except math. Teacher's edition contains lesson plans, unit evaluations, answers, and bibliography. The Helping Hand, P.O. Box 496316, Garland, Texas 75043-5101. 1-800-460-7171, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., M-F.

Covenant Home Curriculum
K-12, $255-$390 with grade auditing and tutorial service available. Focus: traditional reformed Christian. Blends hands-on and classic literature, heavy-duty Bible study, quarterly tests, and college prep. Similar to Charlotte Mason. The classical approach. 1-414-781-2171 for free brochure. P.O.Box 267, Sussex, Wisconsin 53089-0267. 1-800-578-2421, Educate@covenanthome.com.

Far Above Rubies
9-12 (adaptable for grades 7-12), $55 + books. Designed by Lynda Coates to train girls to become godly women, as described in Proverbs 31:10-31. Covers all subjects for a four-year high school education. Biblically based, unit study program that uses real books. Provides well-rounded base for college bound, but you'll need to add some specific subjects, such as chemistry. Has 20 units. Family Christian Academy, 487 Myatt Drive, Madison, Tennessee 37115. 1-615-860-3000.

KONOS Character Curriculum
K-8, approx $85/volume (3 volumes) with extras. Focus: evangelical Christian. Massive books (similar to encyclopedias!) concentrating on unit studies, unique time lines; relies on library books. Flexible, LOTS to choose from, fun activities. Need to buy math and phonics separately. P.O. Box 250, Anna, Texas 75409; 1-972-924-2712 for free brochure. Local Rep: Linda Trumbo in Richmond, 1-804-288-6402.

McGuffey Christian Academy International
K-12, costs vary. Prescribed curricula includes Saxon math, Basic Education, Alpha Omega, Classic Curriculum, A Beka, Bob Jones, and others to meet the needs of students and the goals of parents. Some courses require an extra charge above the basic tuition. Also offers the Stanford Achievement Test and diagnostic tests for Saxon math, A.C.E., and Alpha Omega..McGuffey Academy International, P.O. Box 109, Lakemont, Georgia 30552; 1-706-782-7709.

The Moore Foundation
K-12, costs vary. Dr. Raymond and Dorothy Moore are pioneers in the homeschooling movement. They specialize in a delayed academic education, and a relaxed, non-stressed teaching environment. They have authored several books that are well worth reading. The Moore Foundation, Box 1, Camas, Washington 98607. 1-360-835-2736; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 8 till noon, Friday, Pacific Time.

Prairie Primer
3-6, $45 + books. Literature-based unit studies utilizing the Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Designed to be user friendly with a weekly planning guide. Has Bible study and character building activities. Flexible, lots to choose from. Cadron Creek Christian Curriculum, 51 West Cadron Ridge Road, Greenbrier, Arizona 72058; 1-501-679-5142.

Rod and Staff Publishers
K-12, $20-200. Focus: Mennonite. Serious, traditional, academically sound, character building, very popular resource, nothing iffy. Hwy 172, Crockett, Kentucky 41413; 1-606-522-4348 for free catalog.

Seton Home Study School
K-12, $125(K)- $340(1-12), plus supplies. Focus: traditional Catholic. Program is textbook-oriented, generally classical, flexibly structured, creationist, patriotic, and very Catholic. Offers single courses in upper-grade subjects, and a religion course for grades 1-12. Books and lesson plans must be returned at the end of the course. Staff believes in mastering a concept and then moving on. Bends over backward to help parents. Very strongly college-geared. Quarterly tests and completed daily work are sent to Seton. Rigorous program. 1350 Progress Drive, Front Royal, Virginia 22630; 1-540-636-9990; info@setonhome.org.

Sonlight Curriculum
Pre-K-9, costs vary, discounts. Focus: evangelical Christian with international perspective. Literature-based, unit-study approach to history. Easy to use. Mainly utilizes others' books, compiled into a very useful teacher's manual. Uses good books, not readers. No teaching service. Follows Ruth Beechick's philosophy. Lots of reading, but can be easily adjusted to fit your child's needs. 8121 South Grant Way, Littleton, Colorado 80122; 1-303-730-6292; Fax: 1-303-795-8668. Catalog costs $5 from company, $2 from rep; refundable with first $25 order. Local Reps: Connie Both in Fredericksburg, 1-540-371-4231; Tanya Lamb in Chesapeake, 1-757-488-8198. main@sonlight-curriculum.com.

TRISMS
(Time Related Integrated Studies for Middle Schools) 6-9, $100 each, Volume 1: (grades 6-8 for 1-2 years); Volume 2: Grade 9. Large teaching volume used to educate in a chronological, historical fashion. Does not include all subjects. 1203 S. Delaware Place, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104; 1-918-585-2778. Local contact is Amy Tolston at Educator's Exchange, 10755 Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond 23234; 1-804-794-6994.

Weaver
Pre-K-12, $95 (Pre-K), 3 volumes for K-6, $135 each; supplements for 7-12, $30/volume. Complete resource set for each volume available. Focus: fundamentalist/ evangelical Christian, creationist. Unit studies which follow the Bible in chronological order. All-in-one integrated curriculum means all the children in the family can (in theory!) study the same subjects at the same time. Lesson plan book. P.O. Box 7438, Chandler, Arizona 85246-7438; 1-888-367-9871 for free catalog.

ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS
Easy Grammar and Daily Grams
$15-20 (available through Great Christian Books) Easy Grammar, for 5th and up, is a workbook that progresses one concept at a time. It is used in conjunction with Daily Grams, 3rd and up, which is a workbook that reviews the concepts learned. ISHA Enterprises, 5503 East Beck Lane, Scottsdale, Arizona 85254.

Fitness at Home
Inexpensive ($9.95/student) Christian physical education program written by a homeschool dad with a degree in physical education. Emphasizes four key categories: flexibility, abdominal strength, endurance, and arm and shoulder strength. 1084 Yale Farm Road, Romulus, New York 14541.

The Learnables
K-adult, foreign language programs, start at $45. Designed especially for home education. Offers French, Spanish, German, Japanese, Chinese, Czech, Russian, and Hebrew. 1-816-765-8855. International Linguistics Corporation, 3505 East Red Bridge, Kansas City, Missouri 64137.

Learning Language Arts through Literature
K-high school, $14 for teacher's manual. Uses good literature to teach. Based upon Ruth Beechick's philosophy. Recommends Learning Grammar through Writing book and The Great Editing Adventure series. Very interactive. Includes copying, dictation, spelling, writing, grammar, and reading. Changes into a literature program for the older students.

Making Math Meaningful
K-6, $35 each. A complete hands-on program designed uniquely for home instruction. Emphasis upon student reasoning and problem solving skills. Now includes Algebra 1 materials. Cornerstone Curriculum Project, 2006 Slat Creek Place, Richardson, Texas 75080; 1-972-235-5149.

Math-U-See
Five separate programs from $70-$100. Manipulative-based, K-10 program developed by Steve Demme who combined the concepts of Saxon and Mortensen math. Utilizes interlocking, colorful blocks and fraction overlays to teach math by seeing it. Has video on how to use the program. Local Rep: Lillian Snider in Virginia Beach, 1-757-721-7129; e-mail: srvnhm@aol.com; Debbie Kennedy in Waldorf, 1-301-645-4035.

Praise Hymn, Inc.
K-7 music program. Prices vary from $25 to $52, depending on how many cassette tapes are used that year. Program includes student workbook, teacher's manual, student song book, and sing-along tape, plus additional enrichment cassettes of the classics. Well laid-out. Designed to be used once a week. Accepts all major credit cards. Praise Hymns, Inc., P.O. Box 1325, Taylors, South Carolina, 29687; 1-800-729-2821; Monday - Thursday, 9am to 5pm; Friday, 9am to noon; fax: 864-322-8284, prazhyminc@aol.com.

Sing, Spell, Read and Write
K-3, $150. Uses music to teach language arts. It encourages mastery in seven key areas: reading, writing, phonics, spelling, speaking, thinking, and comprehension. Includes two 90-minute videos, hands-on games, and other materials. International Learning Systems, 1000 112th Circle North, Suite 100, St. Petersburg, Florida 33716; 1-800-321-8322 for free brochure. Local Rep: Co-author, Vida Daly, 132 Longview Drive, Newark, Delaware 19711. 1-302-453-8323.

Summit Ministries
9 to adult, $900 for entire program. Understanding the Times materials include 60 sessions on video along with books). Uses a lot of Francis Schaeffer's philosophy. It's giving your children a Christian foundation to step out into the secular world. An in-depth study of world views. Also offers two-week Christian leadership camps. P.O. Box 207, Manitou Springs, Colorado 80829; 719-685-9103 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday; info@summit.org.

Writing Strands
2nd-12, $16.50. Complete creative writing program. Each day builds upon the previous day. National Writing Institute, 810 Damon Court, Houston, TX 77006. (Some prices may be outdated.)