Students of any (or no) religious faith or creed are welcome to join our tutorials (please see the Downloads page for behavioral standards). Tutorials are conducted in the spirit of the classical Christian tradition and do not conflict with the Magisterium of the Catholic Church, most Orthodox teachings, or most Protestant teachings.
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Our online tutorials consist of small group classes conducted in a private online classroom. The online classroom is very easy to access, and it utilizes a program already installed on most computers.
The online classroom allows us to communicate in several ways. Ideally, students will use a headset with a microphone so that they may ask questions and participate in discussions verbally, but doing so is not mandatory as the student may chat with the class through keyboarded messages. Students should have speakers attached to their computers or be able to use a telephone during class so that they may hear their tutor and classmates speak. If the general noise level in the home is a concern, students may plug in headphones to listen. I display learning materials on the classroom's whiteboard from my desktop to share visual media. All materials and recordings are copyrighted, so they must not be displayed elsewhere.
In addition to the online classroom, each tutorial has its own online forum and quiz website. The online forum includes information on all the assignments, a place where students and parents can ask questions of the tutor, and a discussion area. The quizzes are open book and note and may be taken as many times as desired (Honors Tutorials excepted).
Students need a computer (PC or Mac) with a high-speed Internet connection. They should have a telephone, speakers, or a headset to hear lecture, questions and answers, and other presentations. We hold several orientation meetings before the start of term to make sure that everyone is ready to commence on the first day of the tutorial.
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You may enroll for a tutorial and then find that your schedule changes. With online tutorials, you need not withdraw because instruction may be listened to and watched at any time and work may be submitted at any time prior to its deadline.
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Our Autumn and Winter Tutorials must have a participation of at least five students, but they are limited to twelve students in order to ensure that everyone receives sufficient personal attention.
Our Summer Writing Program sections consist of a maximum of ten students each.
Our Summer Jane Austen Seminar differs. While we only accept a maximum of twelve "academic" students (students who will complete several quizzes, three short papers, and a final examination), we accept an unlimited number of "just for fun" enrollees.
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For quizzes: Students receive immediate feedback on the quiz website and may ask for further information or clarification via e-mail, in the class forum, or during the meeting in the online classroom.
For writing exercises: After I receive the student's assignment by e-mail or postal mail, I return the assignment with written coaching to support the goal of improving skills. In addition, we can chat in the online classroom or over the telephone about the writing.
For Honors Tutorials: We spend August through April completing a University-level course in the subject, including many evaluation opportunities in a variety of modes. During the last three weeks of the class, we prepare specifically for the College Board* examinations that are given in May.
* The College Board does not have anything to do with this product, nor does the College Board endorse it.
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We work with you to help you to achieve your goals. If desired, we assign a grade at the end of the course, which the home schooling parent(s) may incorporate as part of the student's transcript. For students who are schooled away from home, we can assign a grade and recommend to the high school that the student receive credit. We have no say over whether the high school will grant credit.
As for college credit, two wonderful programs exist, administered by the College Board: Advanced Placement and College Level Examination Program. These programs allow students to earn credit by examination in certain subjects. Our Honors Tutorials are specifically designed to meet the requirements of the Advanced Placement examination program, and several of our other courses correlate to examinations administered by the College-Level Examination Program. Although these programs assist thousands of students each year, it is important to investigate thoroughly, making sure that the college of one's choice participates in the program and ascertaining the college's standards, preferably in writing. Please visit http://www.collegeboard.com for more information.
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Students vary, of course, but a reliable rule is to allow two to three hours of preparation weekly for each hour spent in the tutorial, with Honors Tutorials requiring a greater commitment.
Honors Tutorials: Six to nine hours
Classical Writing and Humanities: Three to five hours
Literature, Logic, and Rhetoric: Two to three hours
Stewart English: Two to three hours
Summer Writing: Eight to ten hours (the tutorial only runs four weeks)
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Dates are Subject to Change with Notice
July 11: Summer Writing Program Sessions Three and Four Commence
July 25: Early Bird Discount for Autumn and Autumn-Winter Tutorials Ends
August 1: Payment for Autumn and Autumn-Winter Tutorials Due
August 22: Autumn Tutorials Commence
October 10-14: No Tutorials~Autumn Break
November 21-27: No Tutorials~Thanksgiving Break
November 25: Early Bird Discount for Winter Tutorials Ends
December 1: Payment for Winter and Second Payment on Autumn-Winter Tutorials Due
December 17-January 8: No Tutorials~Christmas Break
January 9: Winter Tutorials Commence
February 18-26: No Tutorials~Winter Break
March 1: Registration Commences for 2011-2012 Tutorials
March 31-April 8: No Tutorials~Holy Week Break
May 11: Winter Tutorials End
June 11: Summer Writing Program Commences
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One-third of the tuition is due with enrollment to hold your place in class. This deposit is refunded only if the tutorial is canceled.
For Autumn-Winter Tutorials: The Early Bird catches the discount! Complete your enrollment by July 25 and earn a $25.00 discount on your Tuition. This discount may be combined with any scholarship to which you may be entitled.
Ordinarily, one half of the Tuition must be paid by August 1 for the Autumn Semester and by December 1 for the Winter Semester. If you pay for the entire year by August 1, you save ten percent on your Tuition. This discount may be combined with the Early Bird discount and with any scholarship to which you may be entitled. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you require a special payment plan.
For Single Term Tutorials: The Early Bird discount applies here, too. Enroll by July 25 for Autumn Tutorials or November 25 for Winter Tutorials and earn an Early Bird discount of $25.00. The entire Tuition payment is due by August 1 for Autumn only tutorials, by December 1 for Winter only tutorials, and by the announced dates for the Summer Writing Program.
We accept payment in the following forms: cashier's check, personal check (will be deposited upon receipt and may take two weeks to clear), money order, and PayPal. Sorry, we do not accept Western Union or any other wire transfer.
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We offer a ten percent scholarship on the Tuition for children of parents in these groups (verification required):
Home School Legal Defense Association members
The St. George Scholarship for Children of United States Military Members, Active Duty or Retired
The St. Michael Archangel Scholarship for Children of Full-time United States Law Enforcement Officers, Active or Retired
The St. Stephen Scholarship for Children of Full-time Clergy of any faith
The St. Therese Scholarship for Children of Single Parents
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1. For placement questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
2. Once all fees are paid, information about the location of the online classroom, user names, etc., will be e-mailed to you.
3. Refund Policies
- Before the start of the course, Participants may request a refund and will receive the cost of the course minus the cost of the course materials Participant has received.
- For courses with a duration shorter than one calendar month, Participants may request a refund up until the end of the first week of class. Participants will receive a prorated refund minus the cost of the course materials Participant has received.
- For course with a duration longer than one calendar month, Participants may request a refund up until the end of the second week of class. Participants will receive a prorated refund minus the cost of the course materials Participant has received.
4. The minimum age to participate in the tutorials is age thirteen; we set no maximum age.
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