Prepared Courses and Curricula Guidance for Homeschool

Programs or prepared curricula are not at all necessary for homeschooling, but there are many such resources available for those wanting a bit more structure. We suggest you begin with a good book or two about homeschooling, and proceed slowly before making any investment in or commitment to materials. Homeschoolers usually find that they need far less than they first expected to need. These programs and books dealing with curriculum advice, correspondence programs, or related support are only a small sample of the great variety of such resources that some HSC members have used. You can also call your local HSC County Contact to ask about programs within your area.

Beach High School, a private alternative school run by Wes Beach, author of Opportunities After "High School": Thoughts, Documents, Resources. It offers a legal umbrella, guidance, documentation, college admission planning, and diplomas based on concise portfolios. Specialty: helping teenagers make a transition from high school studies to their next life situation, whether college or other. Learning plans available, but not curricular materials or instruction. 5520 Old San Jose Road, Soquel, CA 95073. Phone (831) 462-5867, or email beachhi@cruzio.com

Books To Build On: A Grade-by-Grade Resource Guide for Parents and Teachers, by E. D. Hirsch. 350-page guidebook to interesting books and resources for enriching learning categorized by subject, through 6th grade.

Calvert School, A complete, traditional packaged curriculum, K-8 (no private school status in CA). Calvert, Dept. 2NET, 105. Tuscany Rd, Baltimore, MD 21210. (888) 487-4652

Charter School information: Charter schools are special programs created as a means to innovate within the public school system. Until recently, most charter schools were site-based programs located within the sponsoring school districts. Several charters now exist for homeschool students, and many homeschool families are happy with the opportunity to have both independence and support. For further information, contact the schools directly, see http://www.cde.ca.gov/ds/si/cs/index.asp, or http://www.chartervoice.org/

Clonlara School, Curriculum, CompuHigh. Private school status in CA. Administrative services, transcripts, interaction with officials, teacher support, diploma, etc. 1289 Jewett St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Phone (734) 769-4511, or e-mail Clonlara@Delphi.com

The Core Knowledge Series, What Your [K-8th] Grader Needs to Know,(1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade by E. D. Hirsch Jr., author of Cultural Literacy. The book titles can be misleading, in that this is only one author's opinions; however, the book includes interesting material and can be a fun read if not viewed as a rigid guide.

Five in a Row. Literature-based unit study for children 2-12 yrs. P.O. Box 707, Grandview, MO 64030. 1-816-246-9252,

Home Learning Year by Year: How to Design a Homeschool Curriculum from Preschool Through High School, by Rebecca Rupp (author of The Complete Home Learning Resource Book). A detailed guide to the scope and sequence of the standard subjects generally covered by schools, with suggestions for good books and resources that can be used.