Is This Program/Class a Good Fit For Us?

Before you enroll in a group-type class or program for your homeschooled student, here are some issues to consider and questions to ask.

1. Why did you begin homeschooling in the first place? Does this class fit in with that objective?
2. Does the TOTAL NUMBER of classes planned for this particular student meet their individual needs and still fall within your reasons for homeschooling?
3. How much homework is required? If the class requires a lot of outside work, most students will focus on the work for the class rather than what they are doing for you at home.
4. What is the total cost? Is curriculum included? What other fees are required or costs will be incurred?
5. What is the worldview of the teacher? Does it agree with your family’s values? If not, is your student mature enough to handle differing options and viewpoints?
6. What curriculum is the teacher planning to use? Does your student’s learning style fit in with the planned teaching style? If not, are you prepared to supplement at home?
7. What is the role of the parent in this program or class? Can you sit in? Are you considered a partner or an intruder if you want to be involved? Are there volunteer requirements for parents?
8. How are student-to-student problems handled? Are parents involved or informed?

You don’t just want to evaluate the quality of the class. You want to investigate its rightness for your student at this particular time.