When I started looking into homeschooling my kids 2 years ago, I wanted something 'free' and accredited. I looked into Connections Academy and recently have heard about k12.com (both virtual public schools here in WY). Although those were both free and accredited, I didn't feel that I would have the freedom, or control- however you look at it- to work with my children to teach them what I felt they needed to know. I didn't want them in front of a computer all day (although now I know that neither of these programs are exclusively digital- quite the opposite). There are parents/students that haven't been greatly satisfied with both of these programs but overall they have a good rating.
I had looked at k-12freehomeschool.org before Connections Academy and k12 and I seriously considered it. However there were some things that just didn't sit right with me. I didn't like the idea of "respond[ing] to questions, surveys and offers from our corporate sponsors", or if I didn't like something I wouldn't be allowed "to express negative and/or complaint types of communications in any public area of the K-12FreeHomeschool.org site". And I couldn't find feedback from previous enrollees anywhere on the site.
I haven't used any of these 'schools' for our homeschool. Instead I chose to go with Ambleside Online's program based on Charlotte Mason. It gives me much more freedom to teach what I want my children to know. I just felt that this was what would work best for our family. And you know what, it's 'free'. It has taken someone a tremendous amount of time to compile it and keep up the website but the information that is offered is free. I have had to go through and analyze books, year levels and aspects of CM schooling and that has taken quite a bit of time. But I get what I pay for- quality time for a quality education.
I just wanted to pass along an article that was written by Heather from the Homeschoolers Notebook (great resource by the way). I think it is a great caution about getting something for 'free'.
*Disclaimer: I have not used any of the above mentioned curriculums (free virtual schools) but Ambleside Online. I am only passing along information that I found to be helpful and perhaps someone else will as well. As always, I would caution all to do extensive research into anything that seems to good to be true- it probably is.
I do agree. We are participating in two online "free to us" programs, one for math, one for english - and quite frankly - I'd not pay what they want for it. I've spent more time working on the "timing" of the programs than the kids have spent learning. . . . .I think it is because we are so far away from "schoolishness". I'm going to go see what Heather wrote. I just love her!
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