Postby EllenP » Fri May 19, 2006 2:47 pm
I hope this helps...
We've just graduated our first college student (from NYU with Honors!); I have another one in junior year of college, and a high school sophomore.
The oldest two did high school in 3 years. We decided what they needed to do to apply to their preferred colleges, and we worked with that goal in mind -- starting in high school.
Before high school (K-8), you can go as fast or as slow as you want! It's completely your decision based on your child's abilities. Why keep them toiling at stuff that's a cinch, and boring, when they are ready to move on? Especially in Reading, home school kids are usually well ahead of peers. However, don't neglect fundamentals and skills when they are in elementary school years. Math is based on foundations; each year builds on the previous year, BUT generally, the new material is learned in the odd-numbered years (1, 3, 5, 7, etc.) -- so be sure to get your books that cover those years.
History repeats itself every few years (American, World, Ancient, etc.), so make it a level your child feels slightly challenged in reading. Foreign Languages are good at any year; Sciences are mostly exploration and learning the vocabulary.
When you get to high school is when you have to do some conforming to make sure your child has what he or she needs to get to college (if that's where they're headed). My current h.s. soph is going to take 4 years to get through his material, just because he is not as avid a student as the first two were...but they have all covered the necessities, plus some -- the joy and benefits of home schooling allow for this!