The Calvert School in Baltimore was one of the first umbrella school programs in the USA. It offers a day school in Baltimore and has teamed up with several school districts throughout the country to offer virtual schooling programs for online homeschooling. Internet homeschooling programs are growing in popularity and the Calvert school has a reputation for providing a challenging, personalized K-8 homeschool curriculum and teacher support.
Calvert Homeschool
Founded in 1897, Calvert School has offered a homeschooling program since 1905, when schoolmaster Virgil Hilllyer offered the Cavert Kindergarten curriculum for sale in a Baltimore bookstore. By the 1930s an entire homeschool curriculum was developed, with instructions for parents and mail-in teacher support. With students in over 50 countries, Calvert School had cornered the market on homeschooling curriculum.
Students in rural areas, American missionaries and military personnel enjoyed being able to provide an American education wherever they traveled. The Calvert School logo, with the child's silhouette, has been brought lessons to children on every continent for over 75 years.
Online Homeschooling
Schoolmaster Hillyer might be amused to see how his idea of providing homeschool curriculum to families who can't attend the day school has been modernized for the 21st century family. Internet homeschooling has become a popular choice for families who like the idea of homeschooling, but don't like the idea of creating their own lesson plans, or for unschooling. Online homeschool programs usually provide textbooks, lab supplies, art supplies and workbooks. Students log on to participate in classroom discussions via video and or audio chat, IM and email. Teachers are able to interact with students and testing and quizzes are administered online.
Traditional Homeschool Programs
Calvert School still offers a traditional homeschool program for families who aren't interested in Internet homeschooling. There are two options for participation: parents can simply order the curriculum on their own and administer it themselves, or they can enroll in the homeschool program and receive support from a teacher, in addition to record-keeping and school transcripts. They offer placement testing and annual assessment, iaw well as a message forum where parents can communicate with each other. Finally, homeschool students are welcome to participate in the Calvert School graduation ceremonies.
In this computerized age of online homeschooling, not many internet homeschool programs can boast over 75 years of homeschooling experience. Calvert homeschool curriculum has stood the test of time. Calvert's partnership with school districts throughout the country has made the online homeschooling program widely available for many families, at no cost. Internet homeschooling programs offer teacher support and can be subsidized by local school districts.
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