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 College. 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, is a thorough study of Western Civilization and Worldviews, fulfilling academic requirements in history, geography, 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.

Grade 9 or 10: Starting Points

Grade 11: Worldview/Apologetics

Grade 12: Understanding the Times

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 I, English II and English III. 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. Starting in 2008-2009, we will 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 Introduction to Literature, 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 I

Grade 8: English II

Grade 9: English III

Grade 10: Advanced Composition or Introduction to Literature

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). Why is math essential for even those who don't intend to pursue technical degrees? First, studying mathematics develops solid logic and linear 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. We chose the University of Chicago Secondary Mathematics Project (UCSMP) math curriculum (junior and senior high school version only) for its rigor, its focus on conceptual problem-solving (rather than just problem memorization), and its proven effectiveness in preparing students for standardized tests and higher level math and science courses.

Grade 7: Transition Math (Pre-algebra)

Grade 8: Algebra

Grade 9: Geometry

Grade 10: Advanced Algebra (Algebra 2)

Grade 11: Functions, Statistics, and Trigonometry

Grade 12: Pre-calculus and Discrete Mathematics

Grade 6: Transition Math (Pre-algebra)

Grade 7: Algebra

Grade 8: Geometry

Grade 9: Advanced Algebra (Algebra 2)

Grade 10: Functions, Statistics, and Trigonometry

Grade 11: Pre-calculus and Discrete Mathematics

Grade 12: Calculus

Science. Understanding biology, chemistry and physics is important for understanding life. Most college admission processes require 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 either Chemistry or Physics, both of which require a solid Algebra foundation as a prerequisite. Usually any two or more of the three major laboratory science courses are acceptable for college admission. Note that General Science and Physical Science are both great courses that help prepare students for Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. However, neither General Science nor Physical Science are prerequisites for anything, and a student in Grade 9 or higher should take high school laboratory science courses regardless of whether or not he has had General or Physical Science. The Potter's School uses the highly-respected Apologia science program, because it is the most academically rigorous program that remains completely faithful to a biblical worldview.

Grade 7: General Science

Grade 8: Physical Science

Grade 9: Biology

Grade 10: Chemistry

Grade 11: Physics

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

History and Government. Every U.S. student should study U.S. History from a biblical worldview that soberly assesses the role of faith in our nation's founding and development. Every U.S. student should also understand the biblical basis (or lack thereof) for the branches and processes of the U.S. 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. 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.

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.

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 9: Old Testament Survey, Greek 1

Grade 10: New Testament Survey, Greek 2

Grade 11: Hermeneutics/Exegesis (coming 2009-2010), Theology Matters (Theology/Doctrine), Hebrew 1

Grade 12: Life of Christ/Gospels, Acts/Church History

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.