Being able to customize a student's academic plan is one of the advantages of home education, so most home educated students take all their courses a la carte, often from a variety of sources. The sequences of a la carte courses we describe are suggestions and recommendations only, and the core and elective courses we list here are available individually, so your student can take any or all of them to suit individual core course needs or to round out an existing program.

Worldview. Everything good that endures is built on a solid foundation. While it might initially seem unnecessary to have Worldview as a defined academic track, we have found that the vast majority of students do not have a firmly established biblical worldview before they go to college, where they need it most. For students pursuing a customized academic plan, here are two good options for establishing a solid worldview foundation.

As a unique and exciting part of our customized course offerings, we are pleased to offer a two year integrated Western Civilization and Worldviews curriculum created by Belhaven University. These courses provide a seamless integration of history, literature, and Bible with a Christian worldview emphasis. This program, which is the equivalent of approximately three courses each year, is a thorough study of Western Civilization and Worldviews, fulfilling academic requirements in history, literature, composition, Bible, and worldview. Classes take students on a two-year journey through the great cultures of western civilization, going beyond mere facts to offer students a profound biblical perspective on Western Civilization. Students sharpen their biblical worldview as they study and critique the belief system of each culture while addressing inherent philosophical, political, and ethical issues. This unique approach teaches students the value of a Christian worldview for shaping a prosperous and healthy society. More important, as a result of their studies, students will develop their own personal worldview based on the Bible. As a special offer to TPS families, these courses are available for college credit to qualified high school juniors and seniors.

Grade 7 or 8: Propositional Logic and Apologetics

Grade 8 or 9: Thinking Like A Christian (one semester)

Grade 9 or 10: Starting Points

Grade 11 or 12: Worldviews and Issues

Grammar, Composition and Literature. Even students pursuing technical degrees should build their junior and senior high academic programs around a strong writing and literature analysis curriculum. Why is this essential? First, being able to read analytically and write clearly is perhaps the strongest general correlation factor with success in almost any endeavor or field, including sciences and the arts. Second, the SAT test requires strong critical reading skills to do well, and standardized test scores are the most heavily weighted single factor in college admission. Third, the Bible is a written work that contains the wisdom we need for life. Being able to read analytically is important to understanding the wisdom of the Bible. The literature analysis and writing instruction in The Potter's School is thorough, rigorous, and proven effective in preparing kids to read analytically and write persuasively in college and beyond.

We thoroughly cover grammar by spreading it between English 1, English 2 and English 3. These are ideally taken in grades 7, 8, and 9 respectively, but it is more important to join the sequence based on mastery of content rather than numerical age or grade level, because each course in the series contains essential grammar and composition elements that build on previously mastered elements. All three classes are required to cover grammar, and a student who misses one or more of these courses would need to supplement grammar study to fully prepare for upper-level composition. We also offer an intense one-semester grammar review for high school students.

We cover various aspects of composition and writing in all our English courses, and all our literature courses have a strong writing component. For those who want a strong foundation in writing, we offer the Advanced Composition course. Advanced Composition is ideally taken in Grade 10, but can be taken earlier (for those with a strong grammar foundation) or later. Advanced Composition also serves as a prerequisite for upper-level literature courses.

For those who want a strong foundation in understanding literature and analyzing it from a biblical perspective, we offer Literature Survey, also ideally taken around Grade 10 or later. From there we have a variety of literature courses spanning a range of content and rigor. Though the intended grade levels for these various courses is not rigidly defined, assigning them to a grade level and establishing prerequisites helps identify the relative difficulty of each course. Each course description on our Courses page lists the intended grade level and prerequisites, and the courses are listed in approximate order of rigor.

Grade 7: English 1

Grade 8: English 2

Grade 9: English 3

Grade 10: Advanced Composition or Literature Survey

Grade 11/12: Upper level literature and writing courses

Mathematics. Then comes mathematics (even if you don't want to be a math or science major!). US high school students consistently rank near the bottom among developed countries in math performance. One major reason for this is that the US educational system has departed from conceptual math and moved more toward rote recognition of problem types. This is easier to learn and teach, but develops fewer actual math skills and critical thinking skills. It also does not prepare students well for upper level math and science they will see in college.

Unfortunately, US homeschoolers are not improving on this disappointing math situation. The homeschooling community lacks a complete coherent curriculum series that reveals God's mathematical truth in both content and rigor, and our current academic culture has lost sight of the value of a solid foundation in conceptual math -- something that used to be a staple in any serious education, as an integral part of a study of Theology, Philosophy, and Sciences. The Potter's School is seeking to rebuild, at least among homeschoolers, a conceptual math foundation from the current "ruins" of US math education. We are deliberately improving our math program each year, modifying the overall curriculum, adding more instruction in commonly weak areas, and even adding entire courses to build a better conceptual foundation and bridge existing gaps we commonly see in incoming students.

Why is math essential for even those who don't intend to pursue technical degrees? First, studying mathematics develops solid logic and critical thinking skills. It trains the mind in important thinking processes for problem-solving and decision-making, both of which affect performance in other areas. Second, the SAT test includes mathematics through Algebra 2 (Advanced Algebra), and standardized test scores are the most heavily weighted single factor in college admission.

Though the University of Chicago Secondary Mathematics Project (UCSMP) math curriculum (we are referring only to the praiseworthy junior and senior high school version -- not the highly-criticized elementary version) has its shortcomings, we chose it for its rigor, its focus on conceptual problem-solving (rather than just problem memorization), and its proven superiority in preparing students for standardized tests and higher level math and science courses. Students find it challenging, especially if they don't have a strong foundation for conceptual math, but those who persevere find their understanding of conceptual math, their critical thinking skills, and their preparation for further math and science to be much stronger. Here are solid reviews from Cathy Duffy on the Algebra book and the Geometry book in the series.

We have a number of math tracks, depending on where you are starting and where you are headed.

Grade 5: Pre-Transition Math (introduction to conceptual math)

Grade 6: Transition Math (Pre-algebra)

Grade 7: Algebra

Grade 8: Geometry

Grade 9: Advanced Algebra (Algebra 2)

Grade 10: Functions, Statistics, and Trigonometry (FST)

Grade 11: Pre-calculus and Discrete Mathematics (PDM)

Grade 12: Calculus

Grade 6: Pre-Transition Math (introduction to conceptual math)

Grade 7: Transition Math (Pre-algebra)

Grade 8: Algebra

Grade 9: Geometry

Grade 10: Advanced Algebra (Algebra 2)

Grade 11: Pre-calculus (combines essentials of FST and PDM)

Grade 12: Calculus

Grade 6: Pre-Transition Math (introduction to conceptual math)

Grade 7: Transition Math (Pre-algebra)

Grade 8: Algebra

Grade 9: Geometry

Grade 10: Advanced Algebra (Algebra 2)

Grade 11: Functions, Statistics, and Trigonometry (FST)

Grade 12: Pre-calculus and Discrete Mathematics (PDM)

Grade 7: Pre-Transition Math (introduction to conceptual math)

Grade 8: Transition Math (Pre-algebra)

Grade 9: Algebra

Grade 10: Geometry

Grade 11: Advanced Algebra (Algebra 2)

Grade 12: Pre-calculus (combines essentials of FST and PDM)

Grade 6 or 7: Pre-Transition Math (introduction to conceptual math)

Grade 7 or 8: Transition Math (Pre-algebra)

Grade 8 or 9: Algebra

Grade 9 or 10: Geometry

Grade 10 or 11: Advanced Algebra (Algebra 2)

Grade 11 or 12: Functions, Statistics, and Trigonometry

Grade 12 (optional): Pre-calculus and Discrete Mathematics

Science. What do you need to consider when planning your science curriculum and choosing your science courses? What do colleges expect?

Most college admission processes require at least two years of a laboratory science in high school. Since Biology has no prerequisite, most students take Biology as one required science. Beyond that comes Chemistry (which requires a solid Algebra foundation), and then possibly Physics (which requires knowledge at least through basic Trig functions). General Science and Physical Science are both great courses that help prepare junior high students for Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

TPS uses the Apologia texts as the starting point for our science courses. However, based on what colleges are currently expecting for content and rigor, our science teachers add to the basic texts in several major areas.

We offer not only top-notch General Science, Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry and Physics courses, but also Advanced Chemistry, Advanced Physics, Anatomy and Physiology (Advanced Biology), Marine Biology, Astronomy, Electronics and more. Though we don't use the term "honors" because it lacks a standard definition, we find that our courses would be considered Honors level where others use the term, and parents are welcome to transcript them as such.

Grade 7: General Science

Grade 8: Physical Science

Grade 9: Biology

Grade 10: Chemistry

Grade 11: Physics or Marine Biology

Grade 12: Anatomy & Physiology (Advanced Biology), Advanced Chemistry, or Advanced Physics

History and Government. Every U.S. student should study US History from a biblical worldview that soberly assesses the role of faith in our nation's founding and development. Every US student should also understand the biblical basis (or lack thereof) for the branches and processes of the US Government. Every student should study the rise of Western civilization, including how God's remnant is preserved through "church" history. Every student should study Ancient History, if for no other reason than it is the background necessary for understanding the Bible. We also recommend a course in World Geography, because it provides insight into economic, political and cultural factors within and among civilizations and nations. Older students should study World History or Western Civ. The Potter's School offers different versions of all these courses and more, to provide flexibility and variety in building this vital area of study into your academic schedule.

Grade 7: JH US History

Grade 8: JH Ancient History, JH Geography

Grade 9: US History

Grade 10: Ancient History, World Geography

Grade 11: US Government, US Constitutional Law, Economics

Grade 12: World History, Western Civ

Foreign Language. Most college admission processes require two years of a foreign language in high school. Some colleges require that the language be a living spoken language, and others do not have that restriction. You should check with colleges you may be interested in, to understand their specific requirements. The Potter's School offers the most extensive selection of on-line live interactive foreign language courses available anywhere, and we are continually adding to our offerings. Two years of a JH language fulfills the requirement for one year of a HS language, so students who take a foreign language in grades 7 and 8 can start with Year 2 of that language in high school.

Bible Study. Next comes selection of courses to complete and enhance study of the Bible. These include courses hermeneutics and exegesis (how to study the Bible), theology and doctrine (systematic applied understanding of major Bible topics), and background courses (history, culture and literary background to enhance understanding of the Bible). The Potter's School offers a large and growing selection of Bible classes that are academically and spiritually more in-depth than most families will find in their church's Christian education program.

Grade 7: Propositional Logic & Apologetics (full year)

Grade 8: Thinking Like A Christian (one semester)

Grade 9: Bible Survey (full year), Greek 1 (full year)

Grade 10: Life of Christ/Gospels (first semester), Acts/Church History (second semester), Greek 2 (full year)

Grade 11: Hermeneutics (first semester), Theology Matters (second semester), Hebrew 1 (full year)

Grade 12: Worldviews and Issues: Did God Really Say? (full year)

Essential Electives. Last, and certainly not least, comes selection of critical electives like Computer Science and Music. Not every student will take every one of these electives, but every student should take courses that enhance their work and ministry. The Potter's School offers excellent courses in computer programming (e.g., Web Design courses) and applications (e.g., using Microsoft Office software, an essential skill in almost any workplace), music theory and application, "recreational" electives like Chess and Digital Photography, and more.

For a complete listing of all our outstanding courses, please go to our Courses page.