Education plays a vital role in helping people reach their maximum potential and gain the knowledge that is essential for advancement in life. Homeschooling can be an ideal alternative to traditional schooling and providing children with one-on-one attention.
It is a style of education often chosen by parents who prefer a more personalized and individually tailored approach to education. Penn Foster is a distance education program that has been offering homeschooling opportunities for over 125 years. In this article, we are going to delve into the costs associated with homeschooling through Penn Foster and what type of range one can expect to pay.
What is Penn Foster?
Penn Foster is a distance learning, self-paced program that has been helping students pursue their educational goals since 1890. It is one of the oldest and most recognized distance learning programs in the world. Penn Foster provides education to tens of thousands of students each year and is focused exclusively on providing self-paced educational services.
It is not accredited by any educational authority in the US, however, and that means that the program has some limitations for students who want to transfer credits to a university or who need a diploma for their chosen job field. Penn Foster’s homeschool program is designed to provide students with the educational framework and courses they need to be successful.
With Penn Foster, students can choose from different grades and subjects. They can also pick what type of materials will be provided.
Penn Foster also offers materials for testing and assessments, though students must choose this add-on.
How Much Does Penn Foster Cost?
The cost of Penn Foster’s homeschool program is based on a few different factors. First, the chosen grade level determines the cost. Penn Foster offers grade levels from kindergarten through grade 1
The cost is around $500 per grade level. In addition to the cost of the chosen grade level, Penn Foster also charges a one-time enrollment fee.
This fee varies depending on the grade level, with kindergarten and first grade costing around $50, and grades nine through twelve costing up to $200. The program also offers additional materials that can be added to the cost. This includes testing materials and assessments, which cost an additional fee.
The cost of these materials can vary, depending on the grade level and the chosen materials. The total cost of a homeschool curriculum from Penn Foster can range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand.
That said, many families find that the cost is worth it for the convenience and personalized education that it provides for their children.
What Do I Get From Penn Foster?
When enrolling in Penn Foster, students receive a variety of materials designed to help them learn and stay on track. First and foremost, students receive self-paced, online courses in the chosen grade level.
All courses come with a recommended timeline, though students can take their own time with the material. The courses are supplemented by textbooks, activity books, and other materials. Depending on the chosen grade level, materials can include workbooks, lab manuals, pre-scribed and self-prescribed materials, and supplementary audio and video materials.
When enrolling in the home school program, students can also choose to add additional materials, such as testing and assessment materials. This can include practice tests, practice sets, and other materials that can be used to help students gauge their understanding of the material.
What Benefits Does Penn Foster Provide?
The benefits of a home schooling program through Penn Foster are numerous. The program offers students a personalized and customized approach to learning.
Students can progress at their own pace and can go back and review material as needed. In addition, the courses are designed by industry experts and are kept up to date with the latest educational standards. Penn Foster also offers support materials and resources to help parents and students stay on track and monitored.
This includes discussion boards, tutorials, and chat support. Lastly, Penn Foster offers a variety of additional courses outside of the traditional curriculum to help students further engage in their education.
This can include courses on foreign languages and other topics that might interest the student.
What Other Costs Are Involved With Penn Foster?
In addition to the standard costs associated with Penn Foster’s home school program, there are also other costs that one should consider. First, there are the materials that need to be purchased.
This can include textbooks, workbooks, lab manuals, and other material. Depending on the grade level, the cost of these materials can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. In addition to this, many students also enroll in outside tutoring programs to supplement their education.
This can be an added cost, as tutors are not necessarily covered by Penn Foster. Furthermore, while Penn Foster provides assessments and testing materials, many families also choose to use outside testing services as well, which can add an additional cost.
Are There Any Discounts or Financial Aid Available?
Penn Foster does offer some financial aid and discounts to help make the program more affordable. Families can apply for various tuition plan options to help spread out their payments.
Some of the plans may apply to materials as well as the enrollment fee. Penn Foster also offers discounts for military families. This can include discounts on tuition, materials, and other costs associated with the program.
Furthermore, Penn Foster also provides a need-based scholarship that can help students who cannot afford to attend the program.
What About Refunds?
Penn Foster does offer a refund policy for their homeschool program. students who register for the program but do not complete it can receive a prorated refund for their tuition. The refund policy does not apply to materials, though, and these are generally non-refundable.
Furthermore, the refund policy will only apply if the student hasn’t yet begun their coursework.
What Other Alternatives Are There To Penn Foster?
Penn Foster is far from the only homeschool program on the market. There are many other options available for families who are looking for a home schooling option. These include traditional school districts, charter schools, virtual academies, and other online programs.
Each of these programs offers their own unique benefits and drawbacks. It is important to research each program and decide which one will best suit the needs of the student.
Additionally, many of these programs may offer their own financial aid, discounts, and tuition plans.
Are There Any Negative Aspects To Penn Foster?
While Penn Foster does offer a quality education, there are some drawbacks to the program that parents should be aware of. One of the most notable drawbacks is the fact that it is not accredited by any educational authority in the US. This means that any credits earned may not be transferable to any universities and that any diploma earned may not be accepted by certain employers.
Furthermore, Penn Foster does not provide oversight of the program and relies on the student to stay on top of their work and make sure they are meeting the educational requirements. Additionally, many parents find the material to be a bit dry and can have a very textbook-focused approach that might not be suitable for some students.
Conclusion
Penn Foster’s home school program is a viable option for those looking to pursue their educational goals in a self-paced, individualized manner. While the cost may be a bit on the high side, there are discounts and financial aid available to help make the program more affordable. The program also provides students with access to engaging materials and support resources.
At the same time, it is important to understand the limitations that the program has, including the lack of accreditation, potential dry material, and the lack of oversight. Furthermore, there are other viable options that parents should consider, such as traditional school districts, charter schools, and virtual academies.
Ultimately, the choice should be based on the student’s needs and preferences.