QUESTIONS ABOUT HOME SCHOOLING IN GENERAL

What do students do all day?

There is no typical day for homeschooled children.   They learn through a variety of activities such as family and independent reading, discussion and conversation, play, attending outside classes, volunteer community work, and apprenticeships.   Homeschooled children will have some time on their own at home to read, play with friends, build, draw, write, do a science experiment, work on math, and more.   They also have time with their parents that includes getting help, talking, or doing some kind of focused project together, and some time with others outside the home, e.g. in a music class, in Scouts, in a homeschoolers book discussion group, or in a volunteer job at a museum.   Some families set aside a part of the day for focused academic work; others do not.   This could vary for each child and the family often adapts its schedule as the children grow.

This is a common concern when starting to home school.   Not to worry!   Studies have shown that homeschoolers have a more positive self-concept than their traditional school peers.   They are more likely to have friends of all ages and are free of the cliquish, exclusive behavior so common in school.   Research measures include peer interaction, self-concept, leadership skills, family cohesion, participation in community service, and self-esteem.   Homeschooled students are regularly engaged in neighborhood activities and scouts, 4-H, sports teams, theater, music, dance or gymnastics, art classes, church youth groups, support groups, as well as the Clonlara Commons, our secure, private internet-based community.   The research base on adults who were home educated is growing, too.   Thus far it indicates that they participate in local community service, vote and attend public meetings more frequently than does the general population, and go to and succeed at college at an equal or higher rate than the general population.   Please visit the National Home Education Research Institute (www.nheri.org) for more statistical information.

Is home schooling legal?

Yes, it is legal.   Clonlara's founder, Dr. Pat Montgomery was instrumental in making it safe to home school in all 50 states.   See our History for more information.   Your materials from Clonlara will include information on homeschooling regulations where you live.

Do I need to be with my children all day while they are learning?

Learning happens all the time, not just between certain hours or with certain people.   Homeschooling doesn't have to mean sitting with your children six hours a day and giving them lessons.   Some parents combine part-time work with homeschooling, some even manage to work full-time and still allow their children to learn at home, while some forego paid work to be home with their children.   You may find that you enjoy learning along with your homeschooler.   Many children typically have several activities outside the home.   They may have relationships with adult friends or mentors, and are usually interested in what you are doing.   Generally, you will not be the only one working with your children or helping them learn.

How can I learn if I don't use textbooks?

Textbooks serve a useful purpose in many subjects, the college prep series in math in particular.   However, using textbooks can be confining when a student could be exploring a lake or wetland for biology or visiting city hall or the state capital for government.   There are many topics for which there are few if any textbooks.

How can I help my child learn the subjects I don't understand?

Homeschooling doesn't mean that the parents are the only people from whom the child learns.   Parents are facilitators, helping their children seek out information and find capable tutors or mentors.   Homeschooled children may become interested in a subject or involved in an activity their parents know little about, and that's fine since parents and mentors can help students connect with a world of resources.   You may have friends and relatives who are proficient in certain disciplines and would enjoy sharing what they know.   Also, many homeschooled high school students take advantage of attending classes at their local community colleges.   We can transfer those credits.   Your Advisor will explain this more fully.

My student is a teenager.   How successful is homeschooling teenagers?

More and more teenagers are leaving traditional school and becoming homeschoolers.   There are also increasing numbers of teenagers who have homeschooled their entire lives.   They are able to study subjects in more depth, take advantage of learning through internships, and to work and travel in ways not available to students in traditional learning situations.   Teens enjoy the independence of homeschooling that gives them time to discover what they really love to do.   Teenage rebellion is rare in a system when the teen has choices.   A good book to read is "The Teenage Liberation Handbook" by Grace Llewellyn.

What is unschooling?   How is it different from homeschooling?

Unschooling usually refers to learning by experience without assignments.   Other descriptions include "living as learning," "organic learning" and "child-led learning."   It is one type of homeschooling.

How many homeschoolers are there in the U.S.?

There were an estimated 1.9 to 2.4 million children (in grades K to 12) home educated during 2005-2006 in the United States.   However, no one really knows for sure, since not all states require homeschoolers to register with a central location.   In states where such figures are available, it is clear that the number of homeschoolers has grown substantially over the past ten or fifteen years.   For more statistical information, check with the National Home Education Research Institute.

QUESTIONS ABOUT HOME SCHOOLING WITH CLONLARA

Why Do Families Enroll in Clonlara's Home Based Education Program?

Families come to Clonlara because we have a forty year history of professional, experienced guidance.   We offer a flexible curriculum which gives learners choices in how they learn, and gives home educators the opportunity to control their own educational processes.   Clonlara provides progress reports, report cards, transcripts and a private school diploma upon graduation.   Our home educated high school graduates receive the same private school diploma as our campus graduates.   A large percentage of our graduates go on to four-year universities and colleges, while others choose community and junior colleges, art or performance schools, business schools, trade schools, and apprenticeships.   Many have also joined the military or the work force.

Clonlara School is accredited by three agencies:   The Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation (CITA), the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA) and the National Private School Accreditation Alliance.   For more information, please see our Accreditation page.

How many students are currently enrolled?

Currently, we have almost 1,400 students enrolled from the U.S and 19 other countries around the world.

When will I be able to start if I enroll today?

You can start right away!   If you feel you need guidance before beginning, you can begin after you receive access to the Clonlara Commons and your assigned Advisor.   Your Advisor can also schedule an orientation consultation with you.   If students have been in traditional schools, often what is most beneficial at the beginning of home education is to take a break.   Take a few days to do what you want to do.   You might make some important discoveries about yourself and where your interests lie.

How often do I contact my Clonlara Advisor?

Your advisor is available for as much or as little contact as your family needs.   Often when families are just starting out in home schooling, they find they need more frequent contact, but as they become comfortable with the new structure of their lives, they contact their Advisor less often.   Students and parents are equally encouraged to develop a personal relationship with their Advisor.   Younger students enjoy having a "pen pal" correspondence with their Advisor, whereas middle or high school students more commonly seek out advice about specific subjects or projects of interest.

How do I get in contact with my Advisor?  

Your Advisor is available through the Clonlara Commons by email, with the option of instant messaging.   You may also use regular mail, phone, and by scheduled appointment.   Each advisor has office telephone hours that are posted.   Advisors also schedule phone and in person appointments when it is feasible.

Can my child work at an accelerated pace and move on to the next grade?

Yes.   Clonlara's program is self-paced so students can learn at the speed that fits their needs.

Can I mix online and text-based courses or do I have to choose between them?

You have the flexibility to choose from both and from a variety of other learning approaches.

Can Clonlara homeschoolers take standardized tests?

Clonlara offers the Terra Nova (formerly the California Achievement Test) annually for a small fee.   Homeschoolers have the same access to the SAT and ACT college board entrance exams as any other student, and the results are sent to Clonlara using our CEEB code.   We do not offer the PSAT, which can generally be taken through your local school.

How do you work with children who have special needs or are highly gifted?

Children who are highly gifted or who have special learning needs often find the ability to learn at their own pace and in ways that build on their strengths to be extremely beneficial.   They have access to more one-on-one time with mentors, are able to work at their own pace using their strengths, and are presented with opportunities to use learning in real life situations.

What is the average cost per year?

Over and above tuition cost, expenses per year such as cost of books and materials varies by family and the needs of the student.   To determine your needs talk with your Advisor.

If students decide to go back to the public school system, will they be accepted?

As with any transcript presented to a new school, that school has the option of how they transfer in the credits. We have been very successful in helping students to get our credits accepted if there have been questions.   It helps that we are nationally accredited and have a long history as a private school.

If I withdraw from Clonlara, can I get a tuition refund?

Click here to see our Refund Policy for the Home Based Education Program.

QUESTIONS ABOUT EARNING CREDITS

Do you offer AP and Honors courses?

Yes.   If students follow an AP curriculum, they can receive AP credit.   This is a very strict program of study;   AP courses must be approved by the College Board.   Honors credit can also be earned through Clonlara upon verification that the course taken was at an Honors level.   Please note:   Clonlara grades on a 4.0 scale, as compared with other schools which might base Honors courses on a 4.5 scale, and AP courses on a 5.0 scale.   In order for a student to earn college credit, passing score on the AP exam is required.

QUESTIONS ABOUT GRADUATION

Click here for Graduation Requirements.

Does Clonlara School have a graduation ceremony?

Clonlara School holds a graduation ceremony in June. Diplomas are presented to the students by our staff as well as by a family member or mentor. All graduates are, of course, welcome to attend the ceremony; but it is not necessary to be present in order to receive the diploma. Graduates attending the ceremony also have the opportunity to meet and speak with their Advisor and the Clonlara staff personally. As part of the celebrations, students often take the microphone to participate in their favorite areas such as speaking, reading a poem, singing or playing a song, or performing a dance. Students may invite family and friends to this meaningful graduation ceremony.

In order to graduate from some public schools, students must take a competency test in addition to their final exams. Will I have to take a competency test at my public high school?

You are not obliged to do so. Our exit test covers this. Be aware, however, that some states such as Illinois do not allow homeschoolers to take competency tests in their public schools. 

Can I get a state-endorsed diploma when I graduate from Clonlara School?

Like many private schools, Clonlara School does not participate in the state endorsed diploma program. As a Clonlara graduate, you will have a private school diploma from an accredited school.

How long must I be enrolled in Clonlara School before I can graduate?

There is no minimum requirement, except for students who wish to graduate early:   Students younger than 17 must be enrolled for a minimum of two consecutive years before a diploma will be issued for graduation.

Does Clonlara School provide class rings, announcements, a prom?

We do have a source for class rings, the National School Recognition Awards Co. They can be reached at (401) 331-0888. We do not provide announcements - many students make creative and professional looking announcements and invitations to their graduation ceremony. Announcements can also be ordered from Jostens.com Clonlara School does not organize a prom, but this could be a good Walkabout project for an ambitious student.