Hewitt Homeschooling Resources

FAQ

Enrollment

How much time do we have for each quarter?
What happens if we don't finish in the 12 months allotted?
Can my 8th grader take some high school classes with you?
Can we take just one or two classes rather than be enrolled?
Is there a discount for enrolling more than one student?
What if we change our minds after enrolling?

Evaluation/Counseling

Will my child have one evaluator?
Can we call when we have problems?
What help can we expect from our couselor?
How much grading will a parent have to do?

Courses/Credit

Do the classes have tests?
Do papers have to be type-written?
Can students do different projects or read different books than are listed in your syllabi?
Do all classes require a syllabus?
Do we have to keep track of time for all classes?
Do the honors classes require instructor permission or pre-testing?
What are the differences between all the world history classes (regular, BF, honors, and geography)?
What electives do you offer?
Can my child get credit for music/working/art/etc.?
Can my incoming 9th grader get credit for any courses taken during 8th grade?

Materials

Are the books self-explanatory or will a parent have to do a lot of teaching?
Do we have to buy our materials from you?
Can we use different materials than you offer?
Do we have to use Saxon math?
Are all your texts Christian?

Graduation

What's required for graduation?
Can I follow my state requirements for graduation rather than yours?
My child is entering 12th grade. Can we get a Hewitt diploma after only one year with you?

General

Are you accredited?
What denomination are you?
What testing do you require?

Enrollment

How much time do we have for each quarter?

We don't track how long your quarters take. You have twelve months from your start date to finish the year. If you wish to take that long, that works out to 12-week quarters, with breaks in between. Most families choose to follow nine-week quarters with summers off. Many families (particularly those in their first year with us) find that their first quarter takes longer, but subsequent quarters go more smoothly.

What happens if we don't finish in the 12 months allotted?

We charge $50.00 for a 3-month extension. In the case of delay due to family emergency or similar circumstances, this fee can be waived.

Can my 8th grader take some high school classes with you?

Yes, these are called Credits in Escrow. They are handled in the same way as single courses, except no transcript is given. When your student completes 9th grade with us, the escrow credits will appear on the 9th grade transcript.

Can we take just one or two classes rather than be enrolled?

Yes, we have several students enrolled for the "single course option."

Is there a discount for enrolling more than one student?

Unfortunately, no. We give the same attention and services to all our students, so for now we are unable to offer a family discount.

What if we change our minds after enrolling?

You have six months to unenroll by writing. We will refund whatever portion of your enrollment fee you have not used.

Evaluation/Counseling

Will my child have one evaluator?

Yes, for the most part. Your student will have one main evaluator. However, if your student takes a foreign language or typing, another evaluator may be assigned for that class.

Can we call when we have problems?

Of course! Full-time enrollment includes access to all our high school counselors with our toll-free line for two hours a year. That may not sound like much, but very few students use all two hours. If you do, you can pay for additional time. Counselors can also be reached by e-mail and fax. We strongly encourage students to call and e-mail with questions so they can get to know their counselors (and vice versa). Of course, parents are always free to call as well.

What help can we expect from our couselor?

Counselors answer academic questions, help choose courses and materials, discuss and approve exceptions to syllabus and course requirements, write letters of recommendation, complete college forms, and generally help parent and student through the high school years.

How much grading will a parent have to do?

Parents will have to grade daily math work, at a minimum. Our science courses have tests after each chapter, and we encourage parents to grade these, to give instant feedback to students. You will not be able to grade any quarter-end tests, as you will not have the answer keys. Whether you choose to give feedback on papers and projects to your students is up to you. If you choose to assign grades to papers and projects, we will not take these into account when assigning our own grades.

Courses

Do the classes have tests?

Some do. We don't believe in testing as a teaching tool, but it can be useful for us as a partial way to evaluate what the student has learned. Also, testing is a big part of life, particularly (but not solely) if your student goes on to college. High school is a great place for students to become comfortable with tests and to learn test-taking skills. Currently, the following classes include tests: all math, all science, typing, US history, honors US history, honors world history, health, critical thinking.

Do papers have to be type-written?

We prefer it, because typing is a valuable skill for the student, and because typewritten papers are easier for our staff to read. However, it is not required.

Can students do different projects or read different books than are listed in your syllabi?

Sometimes. When students want to work outside the syllabus suggestions, they need to contact their counselor first.

Do all classes require a syllabus?

No. Any ungraded class (PE, music, art, etc.) does not need a syllabus. Nor does any class that will be graded by a qualified outside instructor. When in doubt, ask one of our counselors.

Do we have to keep track of time for all classes?

Keeping track of time is crucial for ungraded classes where credit is based on the amount of time spent (often this includes PE and many electives). It is also a requirement for foreign language, where grades are partially based on the amount of time spent. We strongly recommend that you keep track of time for all other classes. Knowing how much time a student spent in a class gives our evaluators a more complete picture. Also, detailed record-keeping can be helpful or even required when dealing with school authorities.

Do the honors classes require instructor permission or pre-testing?

Currently, no. But please be aware that these classes do require more independent work, reading, and writing on the student's part. You and your student should consider your student's abilities carefully when choosing one of these classes. If your student has already completed some classes with us, feel free to call and talk to your counselor about whether your student seems ready.

What are the differences between all the world history classes (regular, Beautiful Feet, honors, and geography)?

The regular world history class is a rather surface survey from ancient history to modern. The Beautiful Feet classes are deeper and more narrow in their scope and require more reading. The honors classes cover still less time in each course, and do so at a greater depth than the Beautiful Feet classes. They require more reading, writing, and independent research than any of the other history courses. World geography requires a lot of map-making and a certain amount of independent research and paper writing in two of the four quarters. This class requires the least amount of reading of all the world history classes. All these classes are one year (one credit).

What electives do you offer?

We have syllabi for Bible electives, creative writing, practical living, foreign language, critical thinking, and art history. Although we don't have syllabi for them, many students take work experience, volunteer experience, music, and art as electives. You may design other electives; simply call your counselor for permission and assistance.

Can my child get credit for music/working/art/etc.?

Yes, these are common electives. There are two ways of receiving credit. First, the student may record time spent for nongraded credit (150 hours = 1 credit; 37.5 hours = 1 quarter's credit). However, if the student has a qualified teacher who is willing to assign a grade, you may submit that grade and it will be recorded on the evaluation and transcript (time spent should still be recorded, even if a grade is given).

Can my incoming 9th grader get credit for any courses taken during 8th grade?

Yes, under certain conditions. Credits in escrow taken through us qualify for high school credit. Also, classes taken through a school or certified teacher at high school level may be transferred in for credit. Please discuss this with one of our counselors.

Materials

Are the books self-explanatory or will a parent have to do a lot of teaching?

We strive to choose materials which are self-explanatory. However, how well this theory plays out in practice depends on how independent and scholastically inclined your students are. Critical thinking and math seem to be the classes most likely to require some teaching time.

Do we have to buy our materials from you?

No, you're free to buy them from any source. If you choose to use an older edition of Saxon than we offer, please contact your counselor.

Can we use different materials than you offer?

Usually, but we ask that you contact a high school counselor first to discuss the materials and how to use them.

Do we have to use Saxon math?

No. If you wish to use a different curriculum, please contact a high school counselor.

Are all your texts Christian?

No, we use texts from Christian and secular publishers. Our goal is to find the best text possible for each course.

Graduation

What's required for graduation?

Following are Hewitt's graduation requirements:
English: 4 credits
History: 3.5 credits
Math: 2 credits (3-4 recommended for college-bound)
Science: 2 credits (3-4 recommended for college-bound)
Health: .5 credit
Typing: 1 credit
PE: 2 credits
Electives: 6 credits (2 credits of foreign language recommended for college-bound)

You may also follow your state requirements if you prefer; simply send us a copy of the requirements. You may not mix elements of your state's requirements and Hewitt's. Whether you follow your state's requirements or ours, your student will still need to score sufficiently well (25th percentile or above) on standardized testing (SAT, ACT, GRE).

Can I follow my state requirements for graduation rather than yours?

Yes, just send us a copy of the requirements.

My child is entering 12th grade. Can we get a Hewitt diploma after only one year with you?

Yes, the student just needs to meet the following requirements:

1. Satisfy either your state's or Hewitt's graduation requirements
2. Enroll full-time and complete at least 5 credits through Hewitt
3. Complete at least three credits in three different core courses (English, history, science, math) through Hewitt
4. Score sufficiently well on a standardized test.

General

Are you accredited?

No. We chose not to pursue accreditation, because we did not want our classes and materials to be controlled by an outside governing body.

What denomination are you?

We are non-denominational Christian.

What testing do you require?

We require results from some sort of standardized test for incoming 9th graders. You may use our PASS test, or any standardized test of your choice. Students scoring average or above on all portions of the test may enroll. If your student tests below average in one or more subjects, contact one of our counselors to discuss the possibility of enrollment. (Transfer students may be enrolled based on transcripts; if previous grades are poor, a standardized test will be required.) To graduate, students must take a standardized test (usually the SAT, ACT, or GED) and score sufficiently well (25th percentile or above).