One of the most common questions I get is, “What’s your favorite homeschool math program?” and like everything with homeschooling, it depends. Here are five solid options and when I’d recommend each.
- Saxon Math: A K-12 spiral math program that homeschoolers have been using for a long time. Easy to find, used in homeschooling book sales. For: An excellent home study math option for advanced and difficult math students. Maybe not: More practice questions than some strong students need.
- Singapore Primary Math – A mastery-based K-5 math program designed for the Singapore government but loved by homeschoolers. It has fewer practice questions than Saxon. Economical and easy to use. For: A great homeschooling math option for strong, average math students who want to do their math and get on with their day. Maybe Not: There may not be enough practice questions for struggling students.
- RightStart Math: A practical K-7 program that focuses on arithmetic and deep understanding. It contains a lot of manipulations and games. For: This homeschool math program is ideal for families who want to explore math in a variety of ways and for children who may not be neurotypical. Maybe not – it requires a significant amount of prep time each week.
- Beast Academy/Art of Problem Solving – Designed for advanced learners, these programs are great for kids who love math. Beast Academy (Grades 1-5) looks like a comic book and covers the basics along with plenty of extras. Art of Problem Solving (from pre-algebra to calculus) offers text-rich textbooks that rigorously cover its subjects. To: Great content for math lovers.
- Mr. D Math: An online at home math program for 5th grade through pre-calc. A great option if you don’t want to teach math. My personal favorite for high school math – my kids enjoy the class and come away with a clear understanding of the material. For: Quality courses. Opt for live classes for a little outside responsibility or self-paced flexibility. Maybe not: it’s expensive, and many assignments are self-grading, giving kids the opportunity to cheat.
Legend: Conduct annual standardized tests.
For those of you who are taking your kids out of public school, standardized testing might be one of the problems you were hoping to escape. But standardized tests for homeschooling aren’t like the EOGs your students are used to. We’ll go into more detail on standardized tests in post #3 of the series, but first, here are the basics:
– There are many tests and formats available. Standardized testing options are available as individual, group, self-provided, proctor-provided, online, fill-the-bubble, etc. You choose from a list of available tests what works best for your student. Options – You only need a certificate of completion. Can I tell you North Carolina’s best kept secret about homeschooling? You don’t even have to look at standardized test results! Oh, of course you can. And you may find them useful when planning what to teach next. But all you need to meet the legal requirements for homeschooling is proof that a passing exam has been taken and scored.
North Carolina Home Education Law
According to North Carolina Statute § 115C-378, “Any parent, guardian or guardian in this state who has a child between the ages of seven and has control of has a child and 16 years of age will result in the child attending school continuously for a period equal to the time that the public school to which the child is assigned has classes. Any parent, guardian, or guardian in that state who is responsible for a child under the age of seven enrolled in a public school in the kindergarten through secondary grades must also ensure that the child attends the school continuously for the period that instructional time equal to the public school to which the child is assigned, unless the child has withdrawn from school.”
According to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, a home education is defined as “a non- public school composed of children from no more than two families or households, in which the parents or legal guardians, or members of both households, determine the scope and order of academic instruction, administer academic instruction, and determine additional sources of academic instruction. Revised General Statute 115C-563(a) changes the definition of a home school to allow parents to hire tutors, allow their children to attend group classes (cooperatives, 4-hour class classes, etc.), and be tutored by a non to -Become a household expert in mainstream homeschooling (trainees, a homeschooling doctor who teaches biology, etc.). This will give homeschooling parents more freedom to decide what is best for their children’s education.”
Private schools in North Carolina
North Carolina has private schools ( non-public schools that charge tuition) in all shapes and forms. Private schools may offer a unique curriculum, smaller classes, or a faith-based tradition. There are more than 770 private schools in the state of North Carolina. The average private school tuition in the state is $9,149 for elementary schools and $10,153 for secondary schools.
There are some state scholarship programs in North Carolina that can make private schools more accessible to low-income families and children with special needs. State Opportunity Scholarships provide low-income children with vouchers that can be used towards private school expenses. Students with certain special needs may also be eligible for the NC Personal Education Student Accounts Program for Children with Disabilities, which is being expanded for the 2022-2023 school year.