Which is better?, Online/umbrella school, or independent? Options

[nps.David]

Okay, to be more clear, my question is: which is better? Doing homeschool highschool with an online, umbrella, or correspondence school, or doing it independently?

I'm trying to figure out which would be the best way for me to do this...hmm...





Yea.. as u can tell, I'm kinda still debating how I want to do this...any input would be greatly appreciated.

[mimzie]

Well, first of all, I want to say I am proud you are doing this on your own.

I have no idea what to suggest since I'm not there yet lol but Keep up the good work David!

[nps.David]

Thanks....



...

Either way, I want to finish sooner than the traditional 4 years.

An excerpt of one of Cafi Cohen's books (from homeschoolzone.com):

"Efficiency
Many homeschoolers complete standard high school academics eighteen to twenty-four months, very quickly compared to the four years most high schools take. Using self-instructional materials, they choose, and learning in ways that make sense to them, most teens can cut the time for traditional high school by half."

[AussieSal]

Wow David are you taking the mission to homeschool on by yourself? Are your parents helping you or you are completly self taught?

I'm new to homeschooling as a parent and am going through a school that lets you choose your own programme but offers support, marking, certificates, graduation etc.

I don't know what the US system is, but I feel comfort in the support.

God Bless you in your education.

Sal

[mtbriere]

David, I don't think anyone can say which is the "best" way. They all have their place.

Since you are doing this on your own, with minimal help from your parents, I would suggest that you find a school. Whether it be correspondence, online, or umbrella, that's up to your preferences. A school can give you the administration & direction you need. It would provide a diploma, transcripts, etc (not to mention requirements which a college may want to see). With a correspondence school you are going to still have a lot of bookwork. I'm assuming the same with an umbrella school, but you may have more flexibility in what you study there. I'm not sure. An online school, I'm not sure, you'll have to check it out.

[wings]

David,

You are ready to jump in the car but do you have the keys, your focus, and is it in optimum condition, attitude? Where are you going and how do you plan to get there? You need a destination, goal. You also will need a map, steps to attain the goal. You will need to schedule regular stops for gas and maintinance, refocus and readjust the attitude when you reach a road block or hill.

So let's work on the first part. Your focus and attitude. Make sure you are doing this for the right reasons and you know your reasons.

Then, you will need to make several lists, either graphic organizer style or just paper. I personally work better with a spiral and keep it all in one place.

It is often easier to see that we someday want a happy family and to be financially secure than to see that to do that we must take out the trash to keep mom happy. For others just keeping mom happy is easily seen and what happens after that eludes us, so just start with what you know you want and work from that.

These must be figured out and written down.

What are my lifetime goals?
My goals long term?
My goals short term?
What are the steps between each?

Then analyze the goals: Are my goals realistic or do I need help setting goals that are within my capabilities to accomplish? Can I break them down even more and make them more real to me today?

Key: Write a goal, analyze the goal, put a date to the goal, and then write steps to attain the goal. This takes time but you will save so much by doing this. Yeah, I will lose 20 minutes putting gas in the car but if I don't I will never get there.


After doing this you will see that education and schooling is a manditory factor at your age. So now design a highschool course of action. If you goal is to go to college and become a doctor say, you will need latin, high math skills, biology and sciences. If you goal is to be an illustrator or writer you will need more literature, art, history, languages, etc. So you need those goals to refer back to, where am I headed and will these courses get me there.

Once you know what courses or knowledge you need you can look at each individual style and determine which best fits you self analysis or learning style? There are free online places to do this.

Know yourself, especially since you are taking this on yourself. Questions to ask yourself are:

Do I have my own initiative or do I need prodding?

Can I put together a lesson plan or do I need one put together for me?

Do I stick with a set regime?

Do I work better on the fly or at the desk?

Do I enjoy interaction or do I work better doing research on my own?

Then make out a pro/con form for each schooling type listed? What are the advantages/disadvantages to each form?

Then pick the one that best suits your learning style, will motivate you to succeed, and will help you reach your goals.

Only when it is laid out on paper and visable can you make a decision that is logical and will get you where you want to go.

A person that accomplishes much is typically a person that knows his weaknesses and sets up a direct program to accomplish the goal in spite of those weaknesses. Your knowledge or yourself and your willingness to out smart yourself and accept the pain to gain will be your best ally.

I know this was long and if you read it all it says a lot for you to begin with so go for it. Keep us posted.

Ber

[Donna]

My children did independent studies, however; they have me here to help them with planning. I also teach some of the classes.


You mentioned Cafi Cohen.. She used the American School for her children. Here is an interview http://www.homeschoolchristian.com/ChristianEd/Cohen.html

[donnamichelle]

David,

The umbrella school we use offers a high school program that can be done independently, by correspondence, or by satellite. If we use the correspondence the way it works is that Austin takes a test- based on his strengths or weaknesses they choose the appropriate curriculum and assignments. (NOTE- umbrella schools probably differ -not sure) I like to choose our curriculum- because I know Austin's learning style. We work independently but send reports and records to our umbrella school. They keep all the paperwork and take care of the transcripts etc.

Some of the things we have looked into so far are the correspondence thing- but then again I like to choose our curriculum- so we aren't sure this will be best for us. I looked at the RC which I really like- and would love to try with Brendan- but it's a very independent learning system and Austin has to be PUSHED to do his work as it is. Giving him that much control might be a big mistake. We can continue the program we are using now- but then we don't have the online tutors to help us in the way many online programs do.

My point here is--- that it IMHO it is very much dependent on your style... and what will work best for you.

You seem to be an eager learner who is basically on their own with the hsing so I am pretty sure that you could handle an independent program.

On the other hand- record keeping is a must- and that is where an umbrella school might prove very handy.

You should definately consider if you can handle the "paper work" and the "school work" on your own... then make your decisions based on your plan.

I don't think there are any "better" choices than to choose what works best for you.

[princessa]

We are independent without a umbrella school, but I don't know about how it works in US. But I think you've probably got some good advice here.