<p>Good to know about Apex. Generally I have been happy enough with the college based course high school course, but we haven’t done the AP ones, because they have to be done by May each year, and then you pay $85 for the test,etc. My daughter’s counselors at Indiana Univ. HS (toll free number) actually recommend you just take the straight university courses, because you don’t have to go through AP test-- the university credit is awarded with a grade. There are more choices that way. (U. of Missouri, North Dakota Div. of Continuing studies we have used also and liked)
Re the scholarsonline-- We like them, maybe even more than we thought. I actually looked into the books first, before we signed up. She is live on line 3 days per week, with no technology glitches at all. My daughter’s in the middle school level, and just getting her feet wet, but the literature is really great so far. The weekly quizzes are challenging but they keep moving and it’s up to you how hard you study. I don’t think the Christian element has really been an issue, because they follow the books mainly. The instructors keep the discussion moving, as the online time is limited and there’s a lot of material to cover. The Latin uses a college curriculum, and my daughter seems to like it just fine. Pretty good if a 7th grader likes it. I bought the World History book to look at it, they take two years, but it is a regular thick college text. So far I like everything, the instructors seem to have a real interest in their students as they do answer their questions. They might run extra study sessions for example. However, they really don’t send out official transcripts to colleges as the above-mentioned programs from universities. The office person is extremely helpful about courses, but I think you are on your own for documentation. I think this is because the exams are proctored by the parents, not an independent proctor. They also come by email, and aren’t sealed like the other programs. That’s why they seem to want you to take the achievement tests, as the courses by themselves aren’t enough. (this is my interpretation, and this is our first year) That said, you really don’t feel like you are on your own, the teachers interact at least once per week, so you can’t get too far behind. I’m hoping my daughter continues…I think the prices really are a bargain, compared to attending a university to take these same courses on a much more accelerated pace. Sorry I don’t know more!!!</p>