Home Schooling Has a Whole New Look

By Khadija Abdus Sabur 

With the plight of Pennsylvania’s public school system and the shortage of certified Islamic schools, more and more parents are turning to home schooling as a viable option for providing their children with a quality education. The current home schooling options give parents more resources, materials, and assistance than ever before. For instance, Pennsylvania based Agora Cyber Academy provides the following:

§  A flat screen computer, and printer for each child enrolled in the program

§  Text books and work books for each subject

§  Materials for science and other supplemental projects

§  Course material and a step-by-step teacher’s guide broken out by lesson

§  Advanced placement and Special Education Curriculums

§  On-line support from teachers certified by the Public School District

§  Links to other Agora parents

§  Trips and group activities for children in the same geographical area

The Agora program provides instruction for grades K-10. Their detailed curriculum has received rave reviews from the parents who have used it, and is catching on in the Muslim community. This is a certified K-12 program, and is fully accredited. Students are tested upon applying to the program, and are given a curriculum that meets their educational needs. It is not uncommon for a first grade student who is an excellent reader to have first grade subjects, but be placed in third grade reading and language arts. Also working at home, at the child’s pace provides the opportunity to complete a grade level, and start on the next before the end of the school year. This program is also excellent for those families that travel frequently. As long as you have a laptop, your child never needs to miss school (sorry kids).  

For parents searching for alternative education options, Agora is worth looking into. Visit their web site at www.agora.org