Homeschooling has become an increasingly popular educational option for parents and educators looking to offer their children an alternative to traditional schooling. With homeschooling comes an array of benefits, but along with those benefits comes the responsibility of selecting the right curriculum. With so many homeschooling curriculum options available, it can be difficult to narrow down the best ones for a particular student’s academic goals.
In this article, we will provide detail about the top five options for families looking for an academically rigorous education from the comfort of home.
What is the Difference Between “Traditional” and “Academic” Homeschool Curriculum?
The first step in understanding the top five academic homeschool curriculum is to understand the difference between traditional and academic homeschool curriculums. Traditional homeschool curriculums are typically those that are purchased as complete curriculum packages and focus on basic skills like reading, writing and math, usually with some history, science, language and art thrown in. On the other hand, academic homeschool curriculums are usually much broader and tend to emphasize more challenging concepts such as foreign languages, writing extensively and complex mathematics.
These curriculums may also include in-depth study of history, geography and science.
What Are The Top Five Academic Homeschool Curriculum?
When it comes to selecting an academic homeschool curriculum, there are a variety of options available. The following list includes five of the best academic homeschool curriculum for 2020:
Calvert Homeschool: Calvert Homeschool provides a wide variety of options for homeschooling families, such as an online Kâ12 curriculum and a variety of individual course options and learning packages. The curriculum focuses on ensuring students gain an understanding of the deeper implications and meanings within a subject, rather than simply memorizing facts or figures.
Rocky Mountain School of Discovery: Promoting high academic standards and quality education, the Rocky Mountain School of Discovery provides learning packages for both middle and high school grades. This comprehensive package features Science and Math courses, as well as a variety of Humanities and the Arts courses.
Heritage Christian Online School: Heritage Christian Online School was designed to be used by both homeschool and public school families. It strives to provide a Christ-centered, biblically based education and offers a variety of courses, as well as certification programs.
McKAY Scholars Program: This unique program of asynchronous and synchronous learning, developed for students in grades Kâ1 McKAY Scholars students data-driven materials and receive feedback from their teacher on assignments and tests.
Alpha Omega Publications: Alpha Omega Publications provides a Christian-based curriculum for Pre-Kâ12th grade education.
With curriculum packages for Math and English, as well as courses in History, Science and the Arts, Alpha Omega helps accommodate the needs of both younger and older students.
What are the Benefits of an Academic Homeschool Curriculum?
The primary benefit of an academic homeschool curriculum is the flexibility it provides. By tailoring the curriculum to the student’s needs and interests, parents are able to create a custom learning experience for their children, allowing them to take an individualized approach to their education and develop their independent skills.
This can be especially beneficial for those students who might struggle in a traditional classroom setting, since they can take additional time on topics and move at their own pace. In addition, an academic homeschool curriculum can offer a level of rigor and depth not usually found in traditional schools. With this type of curriculum, students are encouraged to explore their interests and delve deeper into topics, meaning that their forays into the subject are both more exciting and more meaningful.
Finally, an academic homeschool curriculum can also be beneficial for those students hoping to gain admission into a college or university. By taking an academically challenging curriculum, students are better prepared for the rigors of higher education and can demonstrate to admissions officers that they are taking their education seriously.
What Types of Materials are Included in Academic Homeschool Curricula?
The materials used in academic homeschool curriculums are typically quite different from those used in traditional curriculums. While traditional curriculums focus on textbooks, worksheets and worksheet packets, academic homeschool curriculums tend to feature resources such as primary source documents, reference books, encyclopedia sets and research databases. Additionally, academic homeschool curriculums often utilize supplemental materials, such as videos and digital recordings, which can improve the student’s understanding of a concept or topic.
What Additional Resources are Available to Support Academic Homeschooling?
Depending on the curriculum used, there may be various resources available to support academic homeschooling. For example, some curriculums may include web-based resources, such as online forums and tutorial websites, which can provide students with additional support and guidance.
Additionally, depending on the location of the homeschool, students may be able to gather for in-person meetups or workshops led by local educators. In addition to curricula-specific support services, there are also a variety of organizations, resources and networks that can provide guidance or support to parents or guardians looking to implement an academic homeschool curriculum.
Conclusion
Having a strong understanding of the benefits and features of an academic homeschool curriculum is important for parents and educators looking to ensure that their students receive a comprehensive, academically rigorous education from the comfort of home. With the five top academic homeschool curriculum discussed in this article, families can be confident that they are providing their children with an excellent educational option.
From Calvert Homeschool to Alpha Omega Publications, each of these options offers an exciting and challenging learning experience for students of all ages.