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How do you homeschool through Desert Christian?
We believe that parents have the greatest interest in the success and well-being of their children. Therefore, we try to leave most decisions in their hands regarding how best to educate and raise the children that God has placed in their care
Of course, there are state guidelines for grade-specific coursework that should be followed; and that, in part, is what we are here to help our members with. One of the most daunting tasks for those considering homeschooling for the first time is what curriculum to use in teaching their children at home. Included in our Home Education Application Package, which is available at the front desk of our Main Campus, is a Home School Sources and Resources sheet to help new homeschoolers get started with their curriculum investigation.
Also in that application package are the following: a Handbook for Parents for our programs, a Home Education Program membership application, and an application for membership in the Home School Legal Defense Association, an organization that represents the legal rights of homeschoolers both nationally and internationally. These last two items need to be completed and submitted to the DCS main office (along with a $10 application fee) to begin the application and enrollment process.
After parents are accepted into the program, they are instructed concerning the reporting paperwork required. They choose their own curriculum, list out the objectives for the term (K through 8) or semester (high school) and proceed to teach their children. We give parents much autonomy in the actual schooling of their children, given that each child may have a different learning style and the home dynamics may vary, as well. The administration and the focus groups provide any mentoring assistance needed, particularly for those who are new to the task. At the end of the reporting periods, parents report the projected objectives that they have completed and again list out the objectives for the term to follow. This process continues through the year till the last reporting session.
New families are required to attend a monthly focus group for in-service and support. In ensuing years with DCHEP, those group requirements lessen but are still encouraged in order for experienced parent educators to help novices.
Reporting for those families teaching high school in the Joshua Christian Program does not include listing out objectives semester by semester. Instead, a curriculum guide is submitted at the beginning of the year for each subject to be taught. At the quarter and / or semester, parents turn in a portfolio of the student’s work for review to confirm that the quality and quantity of the work corresponds to the grade given. Those students participating in CIF sports with Desert Christian High School must register in the Joshua program of DCHEP and submit a portfolio for review.
At the end of the year, copies of all the reporting forms describing skills learned and tasks completed are stapled together with the list of resources used. This packet comprises a summary of the student’s year and is kept in his or her personal cumulative file.
If you have any questions on the above or would like to arrange a meeting, please contact Kelly Green at (661) 948-5071 x-302 or at kgreen@desertchristian.com. We’re here to help!
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