The Core Program

​The Core Program is a unique blend of homeschooling and classroom instruction.
 
Yet, students in the Core Program are homeschooled. 
 
The blend of classroom instruction and homeschooling demands a clear understanding of roles.  The instructor is not the parent or the homeschooling adult.  The instructor is a qualified individual who joins with the family in the pursuit of learning and mastery.  He or she does not provide daily support or personal accountability for students.  This role remains with parents. 
 
Success in this type of program requires:
●  daily oversight & conversation
●  accountability
●  diligent time management
●  savvy study skills
●  problem-solving
●  schedule-planning
●  ability to deal with distractions
●  ability to overcome confusion
●  ability to overcome lack of motivation
●  good questions & thoughtful responses
●  encouragement
 
The role of parents in the Core Program is vital.  Very few high school students have the motivation and discipline to engage fully in their own education.  They need someone to help them get up in the morning, get started on their class materials, ask good questions when they are confused, keep them from getting distracted, encourage them to continue working when they are bored or challenged, and help them track and manage time.  This is the role of an adult, generally a parent, who spends most or all of the day with the student.
 
A growing trend in homeschooling families leaves high-school aged students at home, alone for the bulk of the day to complete assignments.  While this may work for some students and families, for others it is disastrous.  Most high school-age students still need a homeschooling adult at home with them to encourage them to work with diligence and to help them with the details of learning.  In the best situations, students and adults discuss the ideas and skills being learned, further enhancing the students’ experience.  As many homeschooling parents would attest, homeschooling provides a unique opportunity for parents to join their children, including their high school-aged children, in learning. 
 
The Core Program is not a school, so it does not work well for parents to transfer full academic responsibility to instructors.  The program works best when parents allow the Core Program to provide instruction and assessment, but retain the day-to-day aspects and processes of learning for themselves and their children.