New study confirms homeschoolers outperform public schoolers and unschoolers

A Canadian study shared in a press release from Concordia University yesterday confirms what American researchers have known for several years:  Homeschool students score better on standardized tests than public school students. This new research, conducted by Concordian and Mount Allison Universities, added another twist, however, and compared homeschoolers with a structured curriculum with those who [...]

Teaching German to students and adults is homeschool mom’s passion

Heike Davis has taught her own children from kindergarten through high school, and her family has been a steady anchor within the homeschooling community of the east valley of the Phoenix metroplex.  She has also done other teaching on the side, helping a wide range of students from four years to adults learn Davis’ native [...]

Cultivating creativity for homeschoolers could lead to unexpected blessings

An academic assignment with a challenge to have the project benefit someone else could bring surprising results.  The concept is a perfect fit for homeschoolers, who often are encouraged to aim high and think outside the box, and to purposely give back to the community. Sebastian Gupta, although not a homeschooler, had parents who were [...]

Homeschoolers mark your calendars for fall college fairs around Phoenix

  A college fair is a wonderful place for homeschoolers to get some face to face contacts with college admissions and financial aid personnel.  Most fairs are in September or early October, and different schools may be represented at each one.  The Phoenix area has several events scheduled. Prospective students can get direct information about: [...]

Homeschool parents: Prepare your child to be a true leader-free webinar

CollegePlus! is a cutting edge organization which is helping homeschoolers move through college classes by getting credit by examination, thus slashing college costs and time investment.  Besides a mentoring program to guide students through the CLEP tests, CollegePlus! also offers online workshops to hone skills and equip families for the steps needed in college admissions. With [...]

Comparing Calif. public school and Ariz. homeschool credits for college entrance

In reference to the article on homeschool coursework needed for graduation and college entrance, a reader asked this question: If I went to public school in California and now am homeschooling in Arizona, how do I compare the high school credits to know if I am on track for admission to Arizona State University? Coursework credit is [...]

High school graduation: What courses are needed for homeschoolers

Beginning with the class of 2012, or those who began high school in the fall of 2008, Arizona’s minimum high school graduation requirements have been increased.  For the class of 2013 (those who began 9th grade in the fall of 2009), the requirements are going up even more. Current credits needed for graduation up to the [...]

Homeschool transcripts: How to include life experience, literature-based courses

Creating a homeschool transcript is a daunting task for some parents.  The transcript document itself is not that difficult, if you know the standard components of a high school transcript.  The parts that can get more confusing are those that are a little outside the standard framework of high school classes.  In the Phoenix area, workshops [...]

Ultimate Guide to America’s Best Colleges is prime homeschool tool

Book title:  The Ultimate Guide to America’s Best Colleges Authors:  Gen and Kelly Tanabe Publication date:  August 1, 2011 Where to purchase in Phoenix:  Barnes and Noble, Metro Center The Ultimate Guide to America’s Best Colleges is incredibly detailed, and yet the important information about the college statistics is concise and to the point.  Writing in a [...]

Can you say $50K? Unique scholarship available for Hispanic homeschoolers

How much college education could you get for $50,000?  If you are a high school student, homeschooled or otherwise, in your senior year, and you are of Hispanic heritage, a scholarship of this magnitude may be waiting for you. The award is sponsored by Univision, the Premios Juventud program, and JCPenney.  With a short deadline of May 27, 2011 [...]