by Corban Burns

Created on: May 10, 2009   Last Updated: May 14, 2009

As a boy who has been homeschooled for four years, I feel qualified to answer "The Best Websites for Homeschool Support." I can also attest to the fact that there are times when you need help from an experienced teacher.

While being homeschooled for seventh and eighth grade, I was in a homeschooling program called Calvert School (http://www.calvertschool.org). Calvert School is based in Hunt Valley, Maryland. There they have a private school, where those seeking entry must complete a series of tests before being accepted, therefore providing the best education. However, for those like me who don't live in Maryland and desire the same high caliber education, you can subscribe to their homeschooling program. The curriculum is the same as for those students who attend the Calvert in Maryland. Each student has their own Advisory Teacher. And all of the school books that will be needed during the school year are shipped via ground mail. When you are complete with the first twenty lessons, you are eligible to take Test Lesson 20. (A Test Lesson consists of the information you have learned and studied in the first twenty lessons of your schooling.) After mailing them to Calvert School in Maryland your assigned Advisory Teacher grades your test. Many of the Advisory Teachers write helpful and encouraging words to their students with each Test Lesson. (There are eight Test Lessons. Test Lessons 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, 140, 160.) Your teacher's notes at the end often identify your strengths and weaknesses.

Calvert School also allows and encourages their students to log onto the Calvert Web Site and chat with the Educational Counselors. Or if you don't have access to the Internet, you call contact an Educational Counselor via their toll free number.

As of now I am in my second year of high school and I consider it a privilege and a blessing that I'm still able to be homeschooled. Currently I attend PennFoster High School (www. pennfoster.edu). As the name suggests, they are based in Pennsylvania. They are a nationally accredited school and even offer Associate and Bachelor Degrees in today's top work fields. You can get a degree in Business, Health Services, Legal Studies, Technology, Trades, Education, Engineering, Automotive, Creative/Design, and of course of can get your high school diploma.

The PennFoster curriculum challenges your mind but you are not left alone or in the dark. As with Calvert School, you can call or chat with many knowledgeable Educational Counselors. I have personally used this feature several times and it has been most helpful. One difference between Calvert and PennFoster is that you can submit your tests online; they are then graded within the hour of submitting them. PennFoster, unlike most schools, lets you complete a subject before mailing you the books for the next tests. This is very helpful because it helps me focus on one subject at a time instead of scrambling to remember and learn seven subjects at all once.

Both of these homeschooling services have been extremely beneficial for both me and my little sister. We enjoy them and learn a lot. And these homeschooling services have frequently been accredited as one of the best in the nation.

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