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School in a Box…

Hi this is Paige’s mom. Yes, you get to hear from everyone today.


That’s what they called it. “School in a box” and I have to tell you, as a mother I wasn’t that impressed initially. A bunch of DvD’s and CD’s didn’t equate – in my mind – a quality education. I complained to Ken that we had wasted our money and that we needed to find a new place to enroll Paige. He gave me that look he gives when he knows I’m about to start throwing couch cusions at him and suggested we give it three weeks to see how it works out.


Fine I said. We’ll give it three weeks then we are sending her to the Foxcroft School in Virginia. There was no way I was sending my daughter back to that abhorrent school.


But something happened. Paige took up the homeschooling almost right away. She was very engaged and when she went to the co-op classes she participated with enthusiasm. What made me happy was that the curriculum they offered was much better than their private school counterparts.

What You Need…

Homeschool curriculum can be narrow, depending on where you live and what the state requirements are for your child’s education. California has some stringent requirements as to what a child needs to know as they progress through their education.


Most curriculum is given electronically or online these days and comes from various sources which is great for me and for Paige. I have the benefit of having a prepared lesson for the day – or week – with a study plan and she receives a multi-media presentation that she can interact with.


What also surprised me was the varied ways in the categories that they could choose from. Just like a “real” high school we were able to tailor an education around her interests which included French, philosophy, computers and technology, and European history.


I have to admit that I was dubious when this all started, but now I am a believer. I would just warn any parent that when they start it’s important to find the reputable companies and develop a learning plan for your child before you jump into it.


Paige’s Mom,


-Madeline