What are the modern K-12 requirements?
In modern schools, the following subjects are considered to be “required” for a modern high school diploma, and for consideration for college admission:
- 4 years of English Language Arts
- 4 years of Mathematics
- 4 years of Foreign Language
- 4 years of Natural Sciences
- 4 years of Social Studies
By “year” is meant 120 hours of teacher-guided activity time, which breaks down to 40 minutes per day for 180 days of the year.
Why are these requirements not appropriate for homeschool students?
The public school is intended to provide a basic education to students and only offers academic activity for 4-5 hours per day for 180 days of the year. This schedule was intended to cover basic requirements of public schools, not to provide children with a Catholic education. When we choose to homeschool, the children are able to be with their “teachers” all day, every day. Much more can be done in a Catholic homeschool, and much more should be done.
How should these requirements be fulfilled?
The low standards of modern K-12 requirements do not require the full-time attention of Catholic homeschool families. If Catholic families are seeking a true Catholic education (see below), all that students should need is a simple grade-level activity book that allows these requirements to be fulfilled:
Once students enter the middle/high school years, the modern curriculum is much more easily served by the classical Catholic curriculum and these supplements should not be necessary. Students should make sure they complete Algebra II and modern Geometry to prepare for standardized testing.
What should Catholic homeschool students be focused on?
With the opportunity to study year-round with everyday access to parents and tutors, Catholic homeschool students should be focused on the classical liberal arts curriculum–the same course of studies pursued by saints and wise men throughout history. All of this is provided for homeschool families here in the Classical Liberal Arts Academy.
God bless your studies,
William C. Michael
Classical Liberal Arts Academy
mail@classicalliberalarts.com
