Leaving CC | Classical Conversations Review | Former Director Review of CC | Our Blessed Life

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#classicalconversationsreview #CCreview #Challengereview
I am a homeschooling mom of two girls. We have been homeschooling for 7 yeas and have used Classical Conversations for 6 of those years. We've used the Foundations, Essentials, Challenge A, Challenge B, and Challenge 1 programs with CC. I am also a former Foundations Tutor, former Challenge A Director, and for the last two years I directed Foundations and Essentials at my campus. This is my review of CC. Your experience with CC may be different, and if so, that is great. We can still be friends. Do what is best for your family, just as I am.
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16 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 267

@_rebeccateresa 5 лет назад

Excellent video! You explained all the problems that so many families are experiencing or have experienced in the past with CC. Thank you for taking the time to make this! I especially loved the emphasis on the gaps in Challenge - you’ve helped many parents know they’re not alone. ❤️

@simplejoyfilledliving 5 лет назад

Becky Alaniz thank you!

@Albanyoregonskywatcher 2 года назад

Im new to Homeschooling my 4yrold son and 5yrs old daughter. It's so overwhelmingly stressful. I dont know if im doing it right. Im so lost. I feel like I'm failing my children 😞 😔 im in Albany Oregon. I need help. Please help me, help my children. Im feeling to uneducated to even teach my children. Im a failure thats so lost.

@jenvandyke7 4 года назад

I am a homeschooling mom and have done so for over 20 years. With each child the needs are different. I have a gap of 8 years between my last two children. I have wanted to be in a community (the past 20), to help me classically educate my children.. I prayed for a year and FINALLY a Classical Conversations Community started in my area. I am excited to complete the Challenge years with my son. With that, I want to just say that CC is always changing and adapting and every campus is different. Also, your home education is up to you. At Practicum, I was deeply moved, and inspired to tears listening to students who successfully finished their education through Challenge 4. World Changers. We need that and I want that for my son. I will be blessed to love my CC community and grow into wisdom, knowledge, maturity and in the power and love of Jesus.

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 года назад

I hope that Challenge is everything you want it to be for your son. And I agree with you that practicum can be very inspiring.

@vancollier 4 года назад

I was in awe at Practicum, listening to the Challenge students speak so well, answering questions, very confident and comfortable in their education. And now, I look at my soon-to-be Challenge 2 son who *hates* public speaking, debate, writing, and excessive reading, and I am beginning to question what the best path is for him. Obviously, he is never going to be on a Challenge panel at a practicum, but would he even feel successful if so much of the curriculum is based on things he dislikes? He loves history and Latin, and I'm sad that Challenge doesn't have a great history program in the first 4 years of Challenge. Still undecided, but thankful for this video 😉

@Amy-jc5mo 3 года назад

This is such a helpful video! So succinct and well reasoned! Thank you for speaking the truth in love. I hope that this message reaches many, especially those who wonder if CC is right for their families. I also hope that CC will be held accountable for their illegal practices, and for profiting off the hard labor of devoted homeschooling parents.

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 года назад

Thank you! ❤️

@jessicajones9955 4 года назад

Thank you for making this video! I am also a former director from SC- and I saw all the same concerns as you did. We left last year, and it has been great. I thought my kids would miss it but they don’t. The flexibility was a huge issue for our family. I think there needs to be more information like this out there for parents. CC can be very hard to leave once you are a part of it! Thank you for your openness.

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 года назад

Jessica Jones thank you! I was also afraid my kids would miss it but this is the best school year they’ve ever had so far. This year has been exactly what we needed.

@whitneyc8274 4 года назад

@@simplejoyfilledliving Did you continue to do your own classical curriculum at home or did you find a classical high school?

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 года назад

Whitney C we moved to more of a Charlotte Mason approach at home.

@mrs.robin.ludwig 3 года назад

Thanks for being transparent! We’ve done CC since my oldest was age 4, took a break last year because of a military deployment, and are returning this year (ages 8 and 6). I’ve always planned on going up until the Challenge program, because I want freedom for dual enrollment and personal interests.

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 года назад

It wasn’t until 8th grade that we really felt that loss of freedom.

@clle_srra 4 года назад

Thank you for this video. I am a mama who hopes to homeschool my little one. I came across CC recently but knew little about them. You made some great points for me to keep in mind as I continue to search for what'll be best for my family.

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 года назад

Thank you! God bless you on your journey!

@kaylawright1792 3 года назад

Thank you for your video. My daughter does CC and I have had so many questions about the limit on my teaching role and how the highschool levels work and never find answers anywhere. Our community is new only 2 years old and is only a foundation's at the moment. I was surprised at how little information our director actually knows and she can never find the information I'm asking about and is told to give me these off topic explanations. Your video has answered a lot of questions and I am so pleased. I do love the basics of CC but I have never settled with the unanswered questions I'm supposed to just agree to their explanations. I was homeschooled when I was young and so thanks to my mom I have a lot of questions and know the importance of freedom. My daughter is only 4 and I started her this year to test it out before she truly begins next year. I have already noticed the lack of freedom the parent has on how they learn. I tried doing something different last week and the director asked me not to teach ahead because I'm "confusing my child" but she was bored and needed a change. I have a lot to think about for next year. I do love CC and the tutors and our director.

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 года назад

Best wishes to you on your homeschool journey, and thank you for watching!

@lorenaroldan3774 4 года назад

Thank you so much for your time and consideration to explain these issues.

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 года назад

Thanks for watching!

@chosendebbie 4 года назад

Thanks for the feedback. You certainly need a challenge to boost their intellect to a higher level. Love your homeschool room, my gosh! Organization at its finest.

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 года назад

Thank you!

@annetteysquierdo 3 года назад

I couldn’t thank you enough! I was looking into CC and someone called to tell me about it. It sounded so good I was thinking I wouldn’t mind being a director. Now knowing what I do about churches and their taxes, I’m SO glad to have found this. I still haven’t decided what I’ll do, but I’ll be researching the laws for my state. God forbid I be a burden to any church! Thanks again!

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 года назад

I’m glad the video helped you and I wish you the best!

@MaryPrather 4 года назад

The beauty of homeschooling is that we have the freedom to pick and choose what works for us. We are part of a strong CC community in the Atlanta area. My oldest has gone on to college and was amply prepared for what was ahead of her. My youngest is entering Ch2 and we have been more than pleased. The biggest thing I have learned is that academics are not nearly as important as I thought they were. It is the character and heart of our child - and I love the way the curriculum addresses these particular areas, and how living and functioning in community address these as well. It saddens me when I see homeschoolers criticizing groups and methods. Especially in today’s climate - we must support and encourage others.

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 года назад

I’m glad CC is working for you. But if you watched the whole video, you know that academics were only part of my concern. Their business practices were a huge issue for me as a director. Unethical business practices are not something that I chose to support or encourage.

@lesley7033 4 года назад

Yes yes yes and yes!!! Thank you for bravely speaking the truth...

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 года назад

Thank you! ❤️

@han.nah. 11 месяцев назад

You’re a boss! I’m a mom of one trying to decide what homeschool curriculum to try, and I came across this video. You explain your reasons so well, and you’re a strong speaker! I can see where your older daughter gets her intelligence from!

@simplejoyfilledliving 11 месяцев назад

Thanks so much!

@Dreblueskies 5 лет назад

Excellent video! I really liked that you went into detail. I'm going to be homeschooling my child and I'm quite overwhelmed with all my options. I was considering CC but this video has caused me to reconsider. It's hard to find real honest opinions. Thank you!

@simplejoyfilledliving 5 лет назад

Andrea Ann you are welcome! Thanks for watching.

@PokeMommaAndMini Год назад

What did you decide on? I’m in this position now

@Dreblueskies Год назад

@@PokeMommaAndMini CC is not for us! I’ve read a lot and listened to many people in the homeschool community and learned what I value and want for my child. Plus my views on education have changed a lot since that comment.

@lisabuchanan1087 4 года назад

I’m so with you! About the “No 4 year olds on campus” thing, it actually takes it a step farther for directors. The year I directed Challenge A I had to enroll my just-turned-4 year old SON (typical boy who just wanted to play) in Foundations. They wouldn’t let me leave him OFF campus at his Grandparents house for the day. In turn, he was forced into something he wasn’t ready for, and I was forced to pay for it. And, that was just one of the issues that didn’t work for our family. In the end I decided CC was too controlling for us. CC will probably always influence the way I homeschool. I’m very thankful for my years there, but I’m LOVING our current freedom from rules, schedules, curriculum, and high cost. (I have 8 children, so it adds up very fast for our single income family. I know it’s much cheaper than private school.) The friends we made there are keepers too! CC was a blessing for a season, but seasons change, so we adjust.

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 года назад

Lisa Buchanan that policy makes no sense. We made some of our best friends at CC too.

@moonspun4evr 3 года назад

So you're saying you basically have a babysitter for your son so he wouldn't even be at the campus, but they made you pay for him? Am I understanding that right? Thats crazy.

@b4479 3 года назад

I think it depends on the community you are with, my daughter is turning 4 this year and if I wanted I could leave her at home with her dad, they are not forcing me to bring her just because she is four. I’ve never felt controlled, I understand that because it is a big community some guidelines need to be put in place but it’s never felt controlling. For the past two cycles my daughter was little, and the community offered baby sitting at an extra cost, super affordable, IF you wanted. If families had the option of leaving their younger kids with someone else no one was forced to bring them to CC day. From what I’ve read and heard communities vary, we have been blessed with an amazing community!

@reflectionsinthebible3579 Год назад

They wouldn’t LET you leave YOUR son where You wanted him to be??? That’s a cult.

@lisabuchanan1087 Год назад

Not at that time and in my old community. I have several family members who are involved in CC in three different states and the rules seem to be implemented in more grace-filled way in their states. They tell me that would have never happened in their community. And, they’re also allowing directors who don’t have ALL their children enrolled in CC direct, which was COMPLETELY out of the question for me and others in our community. So, I guess it differs state by state and depends on who the Area Representative is.

@awilson8521 Год назад

I love the for-profit angle of this video. Thank you for your insight!

@Trinityproductions777 10 месяцев назад

Very informative & well done video- we are in our last year of Essentials & Foundations & praying for clarity on what to do next year & weighing all our options.This gave me a lot to think about. Thank you.

@RobnsGals 4 года назад

Thank you! This answers a lot of questions I've had. We've already decided this is our last year of cc. I have one in challenge a and I put my 11 yo in foundations for fun but kept her out of essentials this past year. I agree with the weak science and math. I helped with the challenge 2 class for their science strand one day (I'm a microbiologist) and was very disappointed with the overall experiment. That was the day I decided we were done. My girls are too good at science to continue with the challenge curriculum. Thank you again!

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 года назад

You are welcome. Science and math were my greatest disappointment as well as far as academics. I hope you have a great transition wot whatever comes next for your family!

@vancollier 4 года назад

My son has decided he hates science due to his experience in Ch 1 😕

@jessicadiaz2990 4 года назад

Thank you so much For addressing these issues!

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 года назад

jessica diaz thanks for watching!

@deannarmartin113 4 года назад

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I needed this video so much! We have been with CC since my son was four. He just finished his first semester of Ch-A. I have several of the same concerns as you, plus I’ve seen the emergence of cliquish, cattiness behavior from our SR/F&E Director over the past two years that has really started to bother me. I also classically homeschooled our daughter successfully from K-12 without CC and she attained a full academic tuition scholarship to the college she wanted. So, I think I know what I’m doing. I’m finding the content of the Ch-A material not that stimulating. Plus, in our state (PA) we have certain standards for graduation that begin in 7th grade that I just don’t see happening. I think my decision path is clear, it won’t be a popular one and I know I will lose most of my CC kool-aid drinking friends from the community. There are a two who know my struggle and said they will support me whatever I do and I’m so thankful for them ❤️. I appreciate this video so much. I’m going to watch it again and take notes, so that I can remain calm and sound rational when stating my reasons for leaving 😊

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 года назад

You’re welcome! I’m glad this video helped you. I know how hard it is to leave. Praying for you!

@j-nickmusik8387 3 года назад

I know this was a year ago.... But hoping you will be able to answer- you.mentioned you classically thought your daughter k-12, was that with a curriculum or on your own?

@deannarmartin113 3 года назад

@@j-nickmusik8387 Mostly on my own. In her high school years, she did take Latin and Greek online. I used The Well Trained Mind as a guide for my curriculum choices. At the time there weren’t many classical writing curricula as there are now. I used something called Classical Writing - it was great. They are still around. If you use TWTM, only read the portions specific to you. Don’t try to read the whole thing at once. Use it as a reference guide. Leigh Bortin’s books: The Core, The Question and The Conversation are also quite helpful, as well.

@j-nickmusik8387 3 года назад

@@deannarmartin113 ok thanks I'll start there! We've got 5 kids, 5-10 yrs old and between virtual distance learning and dumbed-down-anti-american propaganda or kids have been getting recently, we feel it's become critical we take the lead and move to homeschooling, and from what I've been able to research, the classical method yields strong independent thinkers who can problem solve and make logical decisions.

@moonspun4evr 3 года назад

How do you go about getting scholarships being homeschooled? I thought that was hard to come by.

@daniellecrane2439 3 года назад

You spoke eloquently and truthfully about CC. We left in 2020 after 7 years and it has been the best decision we have made in a long time. I agree 100% with you in all of this!

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 года назад

Thank you so much! ❤️ I'm glad you found a way to homeschool that suits you better!

@annedemarie 3 года назад

Well said. Thanks for the comprehensive review. It’s good for others to hear these facts.

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 года назад

Thank you ❤️

@JadyA 4 года назад

Thanks for this review! What memory curriculum would you recommend as an alternative to do at home? I have heard wonderful things of Claritas Publishing memory work. Also how would you recommend to socialize children so they can develop long term friendship?

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 года назад

Claritas is a great program and they also have co-ops that meet once per week similar to CC. We chose to form a very small co-op with some homeschooling friends this year so there are many ways to help your kids to develop friendships. My girls both have friends from dance as well.

@kellylipinski88 4 года назад

Veritas press is good (classical option)

@thebackpackfamily2836 3 года назад

Hey Jady! Love your channel-have for years! Fun to see you on the same video I am watching! 🥰

@bruci8717 3 года назад

Hi Jady! I’m a subscriber! Your family and channel have been such a blessing and resource to my little. Ones

@asha6861 Год назад

Thank you. Someone recently approached me to teach this and get paid however it looks like there is more information about the company like this type of info you said...so I'm glad I researched it. I won't be moving forward thanks to your info.

@mrs.hollyb.4886 2 года назад

Thank you for taking the time to share your experiance.

@Preppy_Culina 3 года назад

Thank you! I found your review to be professional, sound, and honest.

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 года назад

Thank you so much! ❤️

@camillebergman1171 3 года назад

Thank you for this video. I have been in CC for only a few years and I have seen communities fall apart because of the rules that CC has for the communities. This video really helped me to make a decision regarding CC.

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 года назад

You’re welcome. I’m glad it helped.

@reflectionsinthebible3579 Год назад

It sounds like a cult.

@krissyfulton3757 5 лет назад

Thank you! Many of my thoughts as well. Would you post a review of your favorite curriculums and what you taught when? Thank you!

@simplejoyfilledliving 5 лет назад

Krissy Fulton yes, I’m working on some curriculum videos on what I’m using this year for my 1st and 10th graders now and they will be up soon. I posted an unboxing of the level K language arts by The Good and the Beautiful recently as well.

@krissyfulton3757 5 лет назад

@@simplejoyfilledliving THANK YOU! Please let me know when you post it :-)

@piscesrenewed479 3 года назад

Thank you - this was a very informative video. I have been considering joining CC for years and finally pulled the trigger and am signed up and paid for this coming school year (2021-2022). I am really looking forward to it and think it will really work out for me and my advanced 9-year-old daughter and my high-functioning, high IQ autistic 6-year-old son. However, it sounds like I may not want to progress much further after the essentials program and I probably won’t want to get involved with tutoring or anything like that. I appreciate the things that you shared going into this program. Honestly I did spend a lot of money on extra resources from CC, but I did it knowing that I may only do this for one year and that these were resources I would use in my homeschool regardless. We will see how this year goes with both of my kids in foundations and my daughter also in essentials. I do like knowing about the downsides of programs, though, so I can keep them in mind.

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 года назад

Blessings on your year next year. I hope it works well for you. ❤️

@jessicafranz42 5 лет назад

Thank you for creating this video! You did an excellent job of hitting the 5 major areas of concern when weighing whether to be part of or continue with CC. We left for all of the reasons you cited here, along with many other reasons. I also had to supplement the science in Challenge B with my student and found the Ch. I program to be incredibly weak, especially in the areas of government education and language arts.

@simplejoyfilledliving 5 лет назад

Thank you for watching!

@Jenni208 4 года назад

Regarding the paying of tutors, what you describe is how we do it in CA. The families pay the tutors directly, and the tutors pay a licensing fee to the director. CC also now has a nonprofit you can join if the host facility is concerned about CC being for-profit. So it seems they have made some improvements since this video was done.

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 года назад

That’s great!

@rachelphilbrick5618 4 месяца назад

How did either of you calculate the Tutor's pay and the Director's pay?@@simplejoyfilledliving

@hisdarlingewelamb 3 года назад

This is my first year with CC and I jumped in as a tutor. I see benefits of the system but also see some of the possible downsides. The tax liability aspect and your experience with CC not being willing to address these issues is very troubling. Thank you for sharing.

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 года назад

Blessings on your year! ❤️

@lauranglover521 2 месяца назад

This is what I have been looking for. We just completed Challenge 1, and the science was definitely lacking as well as in all the other areas you mentioned...you hit the nail(s) on the head!

@arroncomer7162 3 года назад

Thank you! We have been using CC for the last 6 years, the last 2 were not with a campus community. We travel full-time and are not “based” any where. We wanted to continue through the Challenge years, but you have to be part of a community in order to purchase the curriculum guides. In today’s technology age, we could do remotes class sessions for the students. We aren’t the only family that lives the RV lifestyle and homeschool. Now we are looking at different curriculum for our child.

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 года назад

I hope you find something that works for you. The RV lifestyle sounds amazing!

@szfehler 4 года назад

Thanks--this was super helpful in making an informed decision...

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 года назад

Glad it was helpful!

@classicalmom6045 5 лет назад

Thank you for this video!!

@simplejoyfilledliving 5 лет назад

Classical Mom thank you for watching!

@jessicalanier2629 3 года назад

This video helped me so much!! Thank you!!!!

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 года назад

So glad it helped!

@aaronsoutherland3888 3 года назад

I can’t argue with anything you have presented. I appreciate your willingness to openly speak about this. I’m applaud at the lack of full disclosure regarding the 501c3 issues. If the intent is to Know God and Let him be Known, we need not act like the world, but as God calls us to be set apart from it. I’ve directed Challenge 1 and believe your assessment of that program is quite accurate. The CC program has many great things to offer homeschooling families, but it has also become a Bureaucratic corporation on many levels.

@bonnybeth2046 5 лет назад

My comment focuses on Academics especially your comments/concerns/ problems with Challenge. First, do you consider your education model Classical? Classical Conversations is founded on the classical education model. Due to various state homeschool requirements, like you have expressed, CC Challenge does have its limitations because public schools are based on the traditional education model, thus state requirements are based on the traditional. It appears that your education model and mindset is more traditional; wanting to separate each strand/subject whereas in a classical setting each strand goes together-history, science, math, writing, it is all intertwined and connected. My daughter will be entering Ch 2 and my son Ch B this year. I am more than confident that, because of their experience in Challenge, both my 13 yr old and 15 yr old could start college today and be successful-not because of the level of science they finished but because of the tools they acquired beginning in Ch A. They are learning how to learn, discuss, express, and defend their beliefs/ideas/work through emulating and studying classical thinkers, writers, scientists, philosophers, etc and their works. If you don’t understand or “buy” the model, CC will never be enough because the big picture can’t be seen. If you want to know more about the classical model, there are MANY resources and books out there to read. CC even offers some great classical model education resources.

@simplejoyfilledliving 5 лет назад

Thanks for watching! Yes, I do understand the classical model, and have decided that the Charlotte Mason style, which is really just a better implementation of the classical model, is a better fit for us. And I do think that no matter which educational style you prefer, it is smart to fully investigate academic requirements for high school graduation and college admission for your own state to be sure that if your kids are college bound, you don’t have a situation where your student is required to take classes at a technical college to beef up their transcript so that they can be admitted into a 4 year school. In my state, they want 3 lab science classes for most colleges and physical science doesn’t count. So the Challenge program requires beefing up in the science arenas at the very least. And I’m not trying to bash CC by saying this. I’m just trying to give hardworking homeschooling moms information that they may need when planning for high school and ultimately for college admission. You can’t just take CC’s word for it because they are basing what they do on NC standards. It is critically important to know your own state’s requirements.

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 года назад

@@JAGtheGuardian that is a concern-the low reading level of some of the middle and high school novels.

@deannarmartin113 4 года назад

@Bonny Beth I know you typed this three months ago, but I’m totally sold on the classical method (see my other response) and CC doesn’t do it properly. They do not properly train their tutors/directors. You can go to Classical Academic, Memoria Press, Circe Institute or even IEW and get better educated as a teacher/tutor than from CC. The Parent Practicums are a joke anymore. I would go every year hoping to learn something new, but it’s the same thing - just trying to get new blood to get money from. Plus, the constant revision in content and needing to repurchase their stuff. Don’t get me started on the errors. CC can afford to hire a proofreader or two... just saying. ClassicalU offers some great courses for classical teachers and continuing education. They are actually helping parents reclaim their education, not just talking smack about it. Plus, you can do a blending of CM and Classical with CAP if you wish. I just don’t see the long term value in what they provide anymore. The content is not higher level, it is below grade level and in my state, my son will not have the credits to graduate if we continue.

@merrittfamily1269 4 года назад

@@simplejoyfilledliving Charlotte Mason is where were headed too. Great, thoughtful, deep, rigorous content without the rush and skimming and disorganized feel of CC.

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 года назад

@@merrittfamily1269 I really do think that is a big part of the problem for so many people-the mile wide and inch deep approach of CC, which leads to a chaotic pace and really isn't classical anyway.

@megansprinkle7697 10 месяцев назад

I know this was written years ago, but thank you. We have been in CC for 8 years and love it. But Challenge 1 is so overwhelming and daunting. My perfectionist hardworking daughters life has been consumed by work and she has often been reduced to tears. I wish I had researched the Ch 1 yr workload more throughly as opposed to thinking it was the next step.

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 месяца назад

I’m rewatching this bc I really miss being in community. I feel so torn! And all the reasons you’re giving, I’m nodding….”yep!” And since the 4 years I’ve been gone, some of my friends have expressed more frustration with corporate. Prices have gone up AND new fees added that weren’t there when you and I were there. Sigh…. But the community is so special….. it’s such a hard decision.

@simplejoyfilledliving 2 месяца назад

Definitely the hardest part!

@OurHOMEschoolPlan 2 месяца назад

@@simplejoyfilledliving having said that, I might be taking my middle to visit CH B next week. One of the reasons why I am so drawn to Cc is to learn to debate and “argue”…communicate ideas well. But man….what you said about the logic and defeating Darwinism…. You’re killing me! 😂 why can’t CC just listen to feedback and adjust? There’s actually a community I know who decided to do the high school years differently and so they left CC for Ch levels, 4 years ago and created their own high school co op. But they kept foundations and essentials. This year CC had said they won’t license them for F/E since they aren’t having any CH levels. So they said, “ok. Well just create our own for elementary now” and they are. Not using ANYTHING from CC. But creating their own classical co-op strengthening on all the weaknesses they saw from CC while using the classical ideas that work. I can’t wait to see what they come up with. They are too far a drive for me. But I’m friends with one of the veteran moms there so I’ve been keeping an eye on them.

@yo9979 4 месяца назад

I agree with some of these. I also do think it depends on each individual campus, because there can be some really big differences in the effectiveness of certain campuses. Glad you figured out what works for you guys 👍🏻

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 месяца назад

Definitely true!

@carrieandglenn 4 года назад

WOW! I agree - except you're too nice!!! I directed a program I started where I live. (A little bit over 10 years ago.) Word for word out of the Scholastics series. Tutors unable to stay even or ahead of the program. Excuses for why things weren't right. "Just a bunch of Mamas." Hmmm

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 года назад

Thank you!

@belindaauntbhiggins7716 4 года назад

This was a very helpful video for me. I commented on another person's comment, Kat. Sorry to repeat but not sure if you'll see that?. I'm very stressed out homeschooling. It's only my 2nd year of HS & CC but I'm homeschooling a 13 yr old with some educational needs and a 1st grader. (13 yr old did Ch A last year since she had gone to a classical school but not CC I decided to do Foundations & Essentials for her this year. I struggle wondering how to bring that up to grade level for her. Considering holding her back from High school next year for many reasons). So 1st year of Essentials for me & I am LOST & drowning. I have high anxiety and struggle with Executive function deficit. I struggle to get homeschooling done. The lack of structure for me has been the most tough. I've not tried any other curriculum or method yet. Maybe I need something that tells me what to do & when? With CC I always feel like I have no idea where to start and is it enough? I get scared and then I find myself shutting down. I've considered putting my 1st grader in public school the remainder of the year but that scares me too. I like CC & said if I ever HS it would be the only method I'd use, I'm not so sure how I could've said that never had homeschooled before? I can see the issues you've presented. Your video does a great job of explaining your family's concerns. Thank you for your time to shes light on this side of it and Challenge us to do what's best got out family. Would you please pray for me that God would lead me and show me what that best thing for my family is right now? These last 2 years have been the most stressful ever. Its definitely not the fault of CC, I think I had no idea what would be expected of me as an extremely busy mom of 5 and adding homeschooling to my very hectic life. I just want some peace. Thanks again!

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 года назад

Jumping into CC at the Challenge A level and then moving to Essentials must have been very difficult! Essentials is really a 3 year program and everyone feels underwater the first year. But even though that is true, it isn't really helpful for the person in the middle of it to be reminded of it. I will pray that God will provide guidance for you and peace. If you are planning to leave CC, I would consider other homeschool curricula that may make your life easier. For instance, maybe starting the 13 year old in one of the middle school levels of The Good and the Beautiful Language Arts (level 6 or 7 and they do have placement tests). You could also consider teaching textbooks for math to add independence there. I have also found Masterbooks to be really stress free for my 1st grader. It is gentle but covers the basics and it is very easy on the parent and doesn't take a long time to do. As you move through the process of deciding what to do, I would be happy to answer any questions that you have. Homeschooling curriculum shouldn't take over our whole lives and cause panic and fear. It is just a tool that we use to help educate our children. Every day won't be a good day, but every day shouldn't be filled with panic either. I would go back to the basics if I were in your situation. Put God in the center, let Him lead, and add pieces on as you get your footing. I'd love to hear what you decide to do. ❤️

@abcxyz9168 5 лет назад

CC calls it rigorous because the student is swamped with homework. So, the child is challenged with homework. I pulled my child after Ch B.

@simplejoyfilledliving 5 лет назад

Agree!

@CreatingEssence 4 года назад

YES!!!

@autistikhanjeff673 4 года назад

They have way to much homework for 4 days

@sarahokeefe4333 4 года назад

While yes, there is a lot of homework given per the Guide, CC believes the parents are the teachers and encourages them to tailor the work to their students needs and abilities.

@branver1172 4 года назад

This is what I am confused about. I'm looking into CC for my young teens. I'm told it's very rigorous and they will have five hours of work a day. But right now, they do 4-5 hours of work with Veritas Press and their outcome is much higher than CC. Not saying that to pick on CC. I'm just confused. And my kids don't match up because they are ahead in everything. Sigh...I really want the community. But my kids would be going backward two years in science and math and they would be rereading books they read 5 years ago.

@Sam-po7ks 3 года назад

Very well articulated. You are clearly a seasoned homeschooler.

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 года назад

Thank you!

@moonspun4evr 3 года назад

You addressed many of my concerns. This was my sons first year in foundations. Hes 10 and in 4th grade. Its great what hes learning now. I never learned all these history facts, latin, sentence diagramming, and writing level in elementary. But I was hoping it all expanded once in higher levels. But it seems by this video that it doesnt much. I was concerned about history and science the most. So I'd have to supplement. I plan on keeping him in the last 2 years of foundations and Essentials, but once challenge gets here I dunno what to do. I want him educated to grade level with EVERY subject and socialized, but i dunno if i can do it with this.What curriculum did you change to?

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 года назад

We used Diveintomath.com for math and science, The Good and the Beautiful for language arts, Masterbooks for history, and Abeka for government and economics.

@TheHannaClan 10 месяцев назад

What did you end up deciding to do for your son? I'm in the same boat!

@BushFN 3 года назад

Yes!! So much great info here! Our community is a bit rogue and allows us to pay and choose what we want for the challenge levels. I also love the F/E ages and have scaled and added a lot for my Challenge A and B kids. And the LACK OF FREEDOM!!! Oh my goodness, YES! When I send my super stressed 13 year old to class and he has to say that his work isn't completed in its entirety because we spent 2 days with visiting family or a neighbor who needed extra help... SO MUCH STRESS for him!!!

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 года назад

I remember how much that stressed out the kids. As a Challenge A director, I would always remind the kids that their mom is their teacher and assignments may be modified as needed by their teacher.

@petersenmrsb 3 года назад

Thank you for your information. We decided to to CC at home this year. But we might make it our last.

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 года назад

I hope you have a great school year!

@thenoblehome4544 3 года назад

I’m in week 1 with my first child. She is 5. I have misgivings from the first meeting and this video articulates the problems projecting forward in my mind. I’m disappointed because I love the community aspect and the ‘day in the classroom’ approach in this coop but the memorization with no context for a 5 year old feels like a waste of precious focus time. I feel I can’t afford the time spent teaching her how to memorize random grammar like the definition of an infinitive or a handful of Latin verbs and multiplication memory work without first teaching my daughter how to count and identify letters and put them together. Feels like buckshot learning. The words might stick but there is no meaning behind them. I’m hoping I am wrong because we are going to give it a full year since we already paid and I really like the people.

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 года назад

Maybe you should make the curriculum work for you and just do the rest only when in class. For instance when my youngest was in pre-k/k I focused on continents and oceans, counting by 1s and 2s, and a few other things that related to what we were doing at home. The rest I considered gravy, and social time. At home we worked on basic kindergarten skills rather than memorizing Latin. Maybe that could salvage your year, especially since you enjoy the community.

@thenoblehome4544 3 года назад

@@simplejoyfilledliving I'm grateful for the encouragement. Positivity is critical for success in anything and you've reminded me of that. I also spoke with my friend who is a seasoned homeschooler who reminded me of another critical component of homeschooling success in the early years...have fun! Thanks for helping me lighten up!

@reflectionsinthebible3579 Год назад

Did you stay the whole year? It sounds like you should have left right away. Likening people doesn’t matter. People can be very two faced.

@Mishwelly 3 года назад

I think it’s ridiculous you got thumbs down on this video. I think your video has been very informative and helpful.

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 года назад

Thank you, I appreciate your support. It is an honest review of my experience as a parent, tutor, and director but is still by far apparently my most controversial video.

@DReed1945 2 года назад

My problem with Challenge A so far is that there is so much work to do compared to Foundations + Essentials. It has dramatically changed into all day busy work and had me wondering what we are missing. Lost Tools of Writing seems to be something many kids struggle with and takes a lot of time when I could be getting my son into a language arts curriculum that had him thinking deeper by taking more steps but smaller using specific questions. The science is a bit weak for A but I suppose since they say each year adds on, this is just the beginning which did help my son understand how to research. All in all, it’s so much work, he misses out on everything our community puts together for families because he’s so busy. Challenge also does not allow you to change the work for different learning levels or types. This means that no matter what, every community day you need the work done and it’s just not feasible when life comes into play. If a child needs to slow it down to understand, what you’ll be told is, “Don’t worry too hard about it. It’ll repeat next year and they’ll get it”. That doesn’t help a parent that is frustrated because they feel the pressure to get their child to hurry with the work. If your child prefers to understand how something is done all the way through before moving on, Challenge won’t work. Same with Essentials. Each week for both moves on so quickly that it can be difficult for a child to fully understand what’s happening before another step is applied the next week. It’s overwhelming. We’ll be pulling my son out after the first semester so I can have more time to work with him and he can still be a kid and go out when we do. For some, Challenge has become basically public school in a way. There is no time to try something different for a subject or add anything you feel they’re missing.

@simplejoyfilledliving 2 года назад

I’m sorry it sounds like you’ve had a rough year. It terms of work load, Challenge B has much more work than A, and Challenge 1 has even more. So if it has taken over your life in Challenge A, it is probably wise that move on.

@eo6357 3 года назад

Thanks for your honest thorough view of CC.

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 года назад

You're welcome and thanks for watching!

@CJ-yk3yk 2 года назад

We love CC. Sorry it didn’t work out for y’all. Different strokes for different folks. 🤗

@apjo090305 4 года назад

This was very informative!

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 года назад

Glad it was helpful!

@michellemiller1181 3 года назад

Thank you for sharing. We are just starting our homeschooling journey. I'm leaning towards a more classical philosophy and CC intrigued me because of the community aspect. My initial research raised concerns with the curriculum and flexibility as we approach late middle and high school, specifically with the lack of a rigorous science and math option. Your video confirmed for me what I feared regarding the curriculum and opened my eyes to how it's run as a business (not something I had seriously looked into). At this point, I feel more comfortable using other curriculums/ resources and seeking community via other avenues.

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 года назад

Thank you for watching, and blessings on your homeschooling journey! ❤️

@farmereliza770 5 месяцев назад

This was very informative. I’ve had some issues with CC since the beginning, but as my oldest is finishing up challenge I, I find myself questioning the program more. I’m have serious doubts about staying, but don’t want to tear my children away from friends.

@simplejoyfilledliving 5 месяцев назад

That’s the hardest part. I think you just have to evaluate what’s best for your family.

@Wisconsinmom82 3 года назад

YES! CC is realy like an MLM. I really don't like seeing so many homeschool families being hoodwinked into thinking that they need to fork over loads of cash in order to be successful and fulfilled in homeschooling.

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 года назад

❤️❤️❤️

@cross-eyedmary6619 3 года назад

Especially when recruiting more families ($) ends up being more important than recruiting like-minded families. The behavior we witnessed and experienced was very sobering, considering how much they use the name of God to sell the program.

@kathycosme6213 2 года назад

So glad I found this video

@Anniegrace5683 3 года назад

I was in Classical Conversations from 5th grade until 11th grade, I absolutely hated it the entire time! I never felt like I was actually learning REAL school work! I definitely would’ve felt more confident going into college if I’d been in a different school program.

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 года назад

So sorry it wasn’t a good fit for you. I hope you’ve moved on to something that brings you more joy.

@Anniegrace5683 3 года назад

@@simplejoyfilledliving Yep I’m graduated from high school now, going to college for criminal justice specializing in homeland security and counter terrorism, working as a 911 dispatcher, volunteering for a disaster response team, a hotline team that helps women stuck in sexual exploitation get out, and a search and rescue team.

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 года назад

That’s great! Such important work!

@reflectionsinthebible3579 Год назад

It sounds like a cult. So sorry to hear you went through that.

@abcxyz9168 5 лет назад

The 4 year old rule is about $. CC recognized that the child can learn at that level and so the child becomes a free loader when they are learning and not making money off of the child.

@simplejoyfilledliving 5 лет назад

I agree. It isn’t about the best choice for each individual child as the parent sees it, it is about CC and their own best interest.

@amandacarrillo7078 4 года назад

Another perspective is that it needs to be fair to the parents who are paying to be there, who's child is just months older, while the 4 year old in the back is learning and singing the songs as well. You have to draw the line somewhere if you are running an organization.

@edwardrebecagallegos5848 4 года назад

@@amandacarrillo7078 Amen.

@eviedp1 Год назад

I was not a director , but my 4 year old went to a 3-day-per-week preschool and one of the days fell on community day, so that solved my issue of having to enroll him. But I have to say I understand about having 4 year olds on campus still in nursery. Our community is quite large, and there has to be a limit for how many babies, toddlers, and 3 yr olds can be kept in nursery. We'd have to hire more nursery workers. So, there has to be a cutoff at some point.

@ByeByeButterfree 5 месяцев назад

This is such a thoughtful and thorough video. Thank you so much. We are in week 16 of our first year of CC. And the whole thing so far hasn’t felt right with my spirit. Other than morning praise songs during assembly and prayer at snack time I fail to see how they Know God and Make Him Known. The pacing is so fast and shallow coverage. I don’t feel like we are getting a lot from it. Even at a 1st grade level there’s loads of homework each week, even more than we had at public school. We don’t agree with homework at this age. All things considered I don’t believe we will be going back for a second year.

@madsterpiece 2 года назад

As a kid that started in Challenge A up to 3 all that you listed were exactly my issues with CC. The tears I have cried over those Logic and defeating darwinism books! It was all so confusing at the age where I believed in Doctor Who haha. To all homschool parents make sure that you are following you states credits and officiate their compeltion because I went to public school seinor year in order to graduate and had to take almost all freshman courses in order to graduate. Jumping the gun on education is an oxymoron!!

@simplejoyfilledliving 2 года назад

I don’t think that most people are aware that as a homeschooler, if you choose to go back to public school, the school can accept or reject any of the courses you’ve done in high school to that point and can even put you in a different grade if they choose.

@reflectionsinthebible3579 Год назад

Reading through the comments, they sound very cultish. No wonder they said “I love you” to me when I was first looking into them and almost went to a meeting. I’m glad I didn’t.

@lylianmunoz3856 2 года назад

Can i ask you about your set up in the background. Are they built-ins or cabinets?...Where can I get something similar? They look so nice, organized, and sturdy. Thanks

@simplejoyfilledliving 2 года назад

Thank you! They are IKEA Billy bookcases but I connected them together with screws and anchored them to the wall to make them more sturdy.

@lylianmunoz3856 2 года назад

@@simplejoyfilledliving thank you for your answer and for sharing the info 🙏

@lauramcgowen9037 4 года назад

I am confused when you say that you had to supplement the Challenge A Geography- were you trying to get high school credit for a 7th grade class?

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 года назад

Yes we decided to go ahead and take the credit for high school so she didn’t have to take it again later.

@joannablackwell3591 3 года назад

Thank you for this video. I would like to do a classical type of curriculum for my kids as well, but don't like that supplementing the curriculum would be required for something that should cover everything, since you pay for it to do just that with CC. I also dont like the idea of starting CC for F/E, just to change to something else before Challenge and worry they will be behind. I was looking at Abeka as an option, but for all subjects, but not sure their curriculum is classical. I'd like your opinion on my options, since this would be my first time trying to homeschool my own children, though I was homeschooled myself in high school. I want to make sure they aren't lacking knowledge, but have the classical method of learning and I like where the kids have to get up and learn to get use to public speaking and such and meeting regularly with a homeschool group for playdates and maybe field trips together...I'm so very new to all this. Thanks for any help.

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 года назад

We like and have used some Abeka curriculum, however it would be classified as traditional rather than classical. It is made for the classroom and adapted for homeschool. That being said, my high school daughter really enjoyed their World Geography, Health, American Government, and Economics classes. She is currently taking Economics. She does not use their videos. I have several playlists on my channel that could help: Homeschool Curriculum Reviews, Homeschooling, and Homeschooling in High School.

@joannablackwell3591 3 года назад

@@simplejoyfilledliving, you can do their curriculum without the videos? Does any of the curriculum feel out of your teaching range for any of the materials you choose and how do you know you are teaching it correctly?

@teachermelissamiller1080 4 года назад

I agree completely. Challenge B is lacking in many areas. Not to mention, math, at all age levels, you have to teach the complete math curriculum.

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 года назад

Thank you for watching!

@dawnworley7369 3 года назад

I have a friend who constantly tries to get me to join CC for 4 or 5 years now!!! I absolutely hate the idea of someone else charging me a fortune to plan my kids' curriculum. I want control of my curriculum. I don't really understand the appeal of CC.

@IftheShewfits 3 года назад

Your friend is having a good experience with CC and wants the same for you. There is a lot that is appealing about CC besides a planned curriculum. We had an excellent experience with CC through Challenge B. It's not for everyone but that doesn't make it a bad program. There's no program out there that fits everyone. We all have to make choices. If it's not for you, then tell your friend that.

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 года назад

The freedom you feel when you get to choose your own curriculum is so much better for us. But I think some people don't want or like that responsibility.

@IftheShewfits 3 года назад

@@simplejoyfilledliving Choosing CC *is* choosing your own curriculum. CC is your choice. I chose curriculum for years (and prior to homeschooling, I was a teacher in public school). The years we did CC, that was the curriculum we chose to use. Sometimes people piecemeal their curriculum and other times they pick a package. I'm glad you feel good about your choices.

@hant679 5 лет назад

I have had some of the same concerns/worries. I have an advanced child who 1. Cannot even go into Challenge yet because of the very strict age levels, even though he is ready. 2. Is very advanced in science and advanced in math - CC Challenge didn't seem to be strong in those areas. I would probably have to supplent A LOT. I question spending so much money and having to supplement much of the curriculum. Four of my five are going to CC Foundations this year - I'll have to consider carefully for 2020.

@simplejoyfilledliving 5 лет назад

Thank you for watching! I hope you have a great homeschool year!

@rachellebowman8421 4 года назад

CC’s stand is that Jesus was 12 when he asked questions in the temple and that is why you have to be 12 for Challenge. If you honestly believe your child is more advanced than Jesus, that’s between you and God. (This is directly what CC’s founder says). It’s not about academics, it’s about maturity, and development, keeping in mind that challenge B gets into heavy topics of spousal abuse, euthanasia, abortion, etc. it’s not just about being a good student. I personally encourage most parents to wait until 13 to start Challenge A regardless of how special they think their kid is... as for the science and math... math is on your own. You do what you want so saying CC isn’t as advanced in math doesn’t make sense. And yes the science does leave something to be desired if your goal is for your student to actually memorize the textbook and carry all those facts to college. But that isn’t CC’s goal. The goal is to teach them how to use a textbook to gather information and develop study skills that will for sure carry with them to college. I have talked to hundreds of moms of CC grads in the sciences and none of them have been impacted by the lack of strength in the course because the course was never about the content, it’s about the skill.

@hant679 4 года назад

@@rachellebowman8421 I'm aware of the why - and Jesus was considered an adult around 13 in His culture. He would have been done with schooling and working along side his human father at that point. So she is contextually way off and cherry picking the Bible, which bothers me far more than setting ages in a homeschool program.

@hant679 4 года назад

To be clear, I still like the program; I just don't like the reasoning behind the ages.

@marriedaprince1 4 года назад

This was so helpful. I am a Charlotte Mason homeschooler, but I know several families who have done CC. It never really jived with my education philosophy, but I really liked the idea of getting together with other families/students on the regular. I have 4 kids under 10, and have CM homeschooled them for the last 5 years. However, I am taking a break by putting my oldest in public school so I can focus on some foundational things with my smallest (it has been A GREAT decision). However, I am unsure I want to keep them in school as they near the middle school years, but I really want to provide some consistent social interaction for them. CC seemed like a great opportunity for that... I am hesitating on it though due to some of the things you mentioned...all of those things are huge issues for me...I am sure CC has some great stuff, but I don't know if I would want to sacrifice those things for it... Still researching, but this has been great. Thanks for your honesty! --Southern California homeschooling mom

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 года назад

Thanks for watching! I’ve found the social interaction through other co-ops and dance.

@PrairieeGirl 4 года назад

Could you explain the difference between Charlotte Mason and CC. I am new to homeschooling this year, and initially I was hearing the two learning styles linked together, but I am thinking they are different?

@marriedaprince1 4 года назад

@@PrairieeGirl I will try to be as concise as possible for a youtube comment: CM is a general philosophy on education, and while CC has its own philosophy, there is a more structured curriculum. Both have benefits. I cannot recommend a great book that talks about CC, but for CM, I recommend Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola. My best advice is to not only choose a method that works for your child, but one that works for you too as the parent. Stressed out parents don't make for good home educators

@PrairieeGirl 4 года назад

@@marriedaprince1 thank you Kat. I joined CC this year for my young son. But I had reservations, and some are addressed in this video. My child had been in public school for a few years and excelled. However, he was in that group where he wasn't being challenged in some areas because of the public school structure. I really wanted the ability to hand pick his curriculum according to his learning style. Basically I want him to enjoy learning and be able to move at a pace that suits him. As we have experienced a taste of CC, my main concern is the flexibilty that Colleen discusses

@belindaauntbhiggins7716 4 года назад

I like your comment Kat that stressed out parents don't make good home educators. Unfortunately I'm living that statement right now. 2nd year of Homeschooling and 2nd year of CC. I'm so stressed out. I like the songs & memory work but I tend to keep high anxiety and I'm never sure which end is up here. I suffer with Executive function deficit and I've found these are not a good fit for homeschooling. I'm not succeeding in this journey. I'd love to try another method buy I dont have time to waste searching around. I've wasted enough time this year. I've been intrigued by CM, I want to look into that I just cant seem to keep my head above water.

@considerthebirds 4 года назад

I’ve spoken to several graduates of CC now (I’m a photographer and do many high school senior portraits) and every student has said they absolutely loved that they did CC. I have two children in CC foundations and essentials now and like it so far (7 years in) but I am concerned for the future. However, what would you say you’re hearing students say? I’m hearing positive feedback and gratitude for being educated classically with CC. I’m curious and trying to figure this thing out.

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 года назад

The video outlines my daughter’s experience with the curriculum. She was bored with the repetition and ready for more. She would’ve been held back if I hadn’t let her move ahead beyond the Challenge syllabus in math and science on her own. I’m grateful that there are so many options for homeschoolers that we can meet our individual student’s needs.

@considerthebirds 4 года назад

Our Blessed Life That makes sense. Yes I agree! It’s so interesting to me how other experiences different programs/options and I never want to be so sold or tied down on something that I totally miss my students needs. Thanks for sharing this experience!

@BethPavlik 3 года назад

I was a F/E director for the past three years and I left this past year after learning about my liability. I will never again be a part of a CC community. I agree with all of your reasons for leaving it.

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 года назад

I’m glad you were able to protect yourself.❤️

@rb7454 Год назад

Excellent coverage.

@amandashannon8088 3 месяца назад

Good insight. We are just in 3rd grade right now. :-)

@temitopeoshokoya4906 4 года назад

Thank you for this review! Is there an alternative to CC that doesn’t have this issues you address?

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 года назад

Many co-ops, or university model hybrid schools are set up as non-profits which solves most of the business issues I mentioned.

@amysnider7222 3 года назад

Claritas allows you to purchase the memory work directly from them. :)

@ybkim100 Год назад

I actually asked those questions since my son is more science bent than liberal art driven. ( he will be in Challenge A next year). From what I gathered, I think CC prepares the kids to think critically with rigorous reading, comp. than science and math driven. But I found l moms with older kids' responses helpful. ( one of them is Bio teacher in college and she said that her best student came from CC). another one is an engineer fam. and she said, engineering fim is looking for a good communicator these days. But ultimately, I prayed about if I should stay or leave. At the end of the day, CC or not, I think we all need to follow God :)

@simplejoyfilledliving Год назад

Yes we all need to follow God first. With science/math minded child also consider the specific courses the colleges are requiring for science and math majors. Following CC as laid out is limiting because calculus is eliminated along with the 3rd lab science. Many universities require 3 lab sciences for entry for any major. This can narrow options. My daughter was able to finish through calculus in high school and through dual enrollment her senior year she was also able to add college algebra and calculus at a local college. She picked up Earth Science as the extra lab science in 8th grade since I knew this would be an issue.

@ybkim100 Год назад

@@simplejoyfilledliving We don't use Saxon or anything that CC recommends for math I knew that CC's strength isn't math nor science. That said-- I am excited to see what God has for my son, not CC lol

@nataliesarvis4691 2 года назад

I know this video is 2 years old, but I was just wondering, out of curiosity, why were you wanting to get High school credit during Ch A and B? (7th and 8th grade).

@simplejoyfilledliving 2 года назад

Many students do this in public school as well as homeschooling. If the student is taking high school level classes (like Henle Latin or Algebra 1) then why not take the credit for the work performed?

@ministryformama4111 4 года назад

So is it correct that you pay tuition and also pay for the directors/tutors?

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 года назад

For Foundations, you pay tuition, which is divided between the tutor and director. You also pay an application fee and you buy the Foundations guide (1 per family) and 1 tin whistle per student.

@MommaonMission 4 года назад

Interesting! Cc is big here in MO. We considered it but joined in with something else last minute and are loving it four years later! I never thought about the business side. My best friend is being interviewed for a director position. I wonder if/how the business side is different here. Also, I think as far as credits and stuff go it is more flexible here so that side isn’t an issue. Interesting video!

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 года назад

Thanks!

@scintilae670 4 года назад

What did you end up joining?

@MommaonMission 4 года назад

@@scintilae670 just a local co-op, not a chain.

@michelew737 4 года назад

This definitely brings up a good point that if you have a highschooler in A and B, you really need to add more to it, since it isn't intended to be at high school level in those levels. They use a truly classical model in A and B for science, so it would take a dedicated parent and student to study it at high school level that way. It does seem that you didn't understand how to use the classical model in your homeschool, if even as a director somehow you missed how to use it to the level your children needed. It's a very flexible program so parents can work with their students at a higher or lower level as the child needs, with the parent being the teacher. It's so important that parents who choose this model know how to use it with their children by doing all the training at practicums and on CC Connected, reading the books also, until they understand it. It's also good to understand how it builds on each level as a true classical model, so if something seems lacking in one level, you understand that it will be built upon later. Many of your concerns here would have been addressed by going through the upper Challenge levels. For instance, Challenge B logic is difficult, but only meant to be an introduction to logic, and unless you have a highschooler in B, should not be expected to go beyond the grammar stage with it. Then when they go through Traditional Logic in the upper Challenge levels, they are familiar with the terms, have grasped some of the concepts, and find understanding comes readily by building on what they have learned in B. I have one who has graduated through the program and one who is currently in Challenge 2, and I have tutored for 5 years and learn new things about it every year. I didn't understand the model when I first started with CC either, having not come from that background, and having used a different homeschool method with my oldest. As my son went through all the levels, I started to understand more and more how deeply it all worked together.

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 года назад

Michele W I didn’t “miss to use it at the level my child needed”. I completely customized it so that my daughter could get the credits she needed, so that I could bring the science and math up to grade level, and so that credits wouldn’t have to be repeated later. Condescending comments that other directors don’t understand the model when they have a different opinion of the program from you are not helpful to anyone here. If it’s working well for you, that’s great. But some kids need more than the program offers or something altogether different, and that’s ok too.

@michelew737 4 года назад

@@simplejoyfilledlivingI'm not being condescending. The classical model is difficult to grasp sometimes. your comments in the video make it sound like you were relying on the program only to teach your student. You made it sound like it was unusual to have to work with your child to teach at their level. If you left CC because it didn't fit, that's fine. But it seems you have made a video that greatly misrepresents CC to those who are new to it, because you didn't explain how it actually works - parent as teacher and levels of learning building, rather than having certain years that certain things are learned or mastered. So it really comes across like you didn't understand several things. Your video comes across as criticism, like it wasn't good enough for you, but maybe for some whose kids aren't as bright. Since it is honors level curriculum in high school levels, we know that isn't true.

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 года назад

Michele W I have 5 reasons that we left CC and state clearly that if it is good for you, that’s great. Academics was only one of the reasons. I have a child that is above her grade level as well as a special needs child. I’ve spent my entire time as a homeschool mom tailoring things to fit each of them and for different reasons, so no, I do not find that “unusual”. The purpose of this video is not to explain how CC works. There are many other videos out there for that. The purpose of this video was to explain why CC didn’t work for us. I disagree that it is honors level curriculum. At least not in my state. I was required to add something else to every class in order to claim it as honors.

@michelew737 4 года назад

@@simplejoyfilledliving but you didn't do the rhetoric level classes, so perhaps your state requirements would have been meet there. It is probably harder if you have to meet traditional state standards. My point is that you are criticizing CCs books, methods, and curriculum without context. It doesn't matter that you said it might be okay for other people, because you spent most of your time saying why is isn't okay. Remember that Leigh Bortins was simply homeschooling her kids in Junior high and high school,, and friends took interest in what she was doing and asked for her help. From there it grew into the challenge program. They developed f/e after that to prep for Challenge. She never intended it would be the only homeschool program that would fit every homeschooler. It just grew to help those who wanted it, and yes, there are growing pains and people who try and it isn't a fit, but that's true for all homeschool programs. I can tell you the good and bad of everything I have tried or been involved in, but it isn't helpful to those who are using those things and it might turn away someone for whom it would be a good fit if I make it sound like it wasn't good enough for me and my kids. Anyway, I get that everyone isn't a fit with CC, and really want to design their own thing, and that is fine for you. Just understand that what you are saying is coming across as criticism more than help. Other than giving commiseration to those who also want something else.

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 года назад

I'm not criticizing anything without context. The context of this video is my experience as a Foundations and Challenge parent, as well as my experience as a Foundations and Challenge Director.

@margiedenavarre7919 2 года назад

I'm a novice, but after reading 24 novels, I would think that would develop a sufficient amount of vocabulary familiarity. I do think that's too many and an example of quantity over quality, as you said, though.

@simplejoyfilledliving 2 года назад

For some students I think you’re right. That amount of literature may help vocabulary. But reading that number of books in 30 weeks doesn’t give much time to spend on the vocabulary, authors, literary analysis, or much else for most students. In fact, many students just quit reading the novels because they are so far behind, and that also impacts the class discussion as well as their ability to write their papers.

@heidistauff1 2 года назад

FACTS

@MightyHeidi7 Год назад

I kind of felt like going to CC was almost cultish. Msybe it was just the group we participated in. I liked a lot of their material, but i was aldo frustrated with the costs. It felt like MLM homeschooling.

@Albanyoregonskywatcher 2 года назад

@simplejoyfilledliving 2 года назад

The first thing to do is to check your state’s homeschooling laws. If you meet the requirements to teach, then you are qualified. You can also find out what subjects are mandatory. Next find curriculum that is open and go. This will make it easier on you as the teacher. Your kids are so young, make sure you aren’t doing too much at this age and overwhelming all of you. I highly recommend looking at The Good and the Beautiful curriculum especially for young children. It is engaging for the children, yet open and go for the parent. Some of their curriculum is even free.

@aubreylohman4461 2 года назад

I’m doing challenge right now as a student and we have had the same concerns

@simplejoyfilledliving 2 года назад

Praying you and your family figure out the best path forward for you.

@PursuingPeace 3 года назад

Oh wow! That 4 yr old rule is ridiculous! I have never heard of that. Thank God not all communities do that because that would be a problem. 😬 Thanks for the review! ❤

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 года назад

Yes, definitely. Some directors ignore the rule if they can get away with it. That’s what I did when I directed Foundations.

@PrairieeGirl 4 года назад

Does Colleen have an email address?

@mamabear8373 4 года назад

With all the money you pay for it you would expect them to cover everything. I'm kinda in the same boat. When I got the curriculum just unimpressed. I wish we wouldn't have already payed and registered for the classes. My fault for just blindly following. I'm just going to have to make the best of it.

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 года назад

I hope the year goes well for you.

@mamabear8373 4 года назад

@@simplejoyfilledliving Thank you! Overall my experience has been positive with CC, but like you said there are some big gaps in the Challenge program. I'm considering asking for tuition fees back, due to we are moving out of state Sep. unexpectedly, and I don't want to jump in a new community. I know it's very very rare, but we haven't started the year yet, so maybe there is a small possibility?

@tiffanyweber3028 4 года назад

CC is it good for elementary students?

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 года назад

We enjoyed it for elementary. But now that I understand the business model (after becoming a director) I would choose something else.

@jennysteve4959 3 года назад

@@simplejoyfilledliving what would you choose as an alternative for Foundations level incoming kindergartners? I have not turned in the enrollment papers or tuition (I planned on bringing those with me to parent's night). I have felt some inhibitions, but don't really know if it's because of being a first time homeschooling (parent/grandparent).

@brickbybrick2012 4 года назад

Wow. I appreciate you sharing your perspective. I would disagree with a lot of what you said about the Challenge levels not being rigorous enough or not preparing kids well for college. We have Challenge 2, a Challenge A, and a F/E students (our 10th year of CC--and I have been an F/E director for 6 years) and our experience is that CC has beautifully and comprehensively instructed our children--and myself--in not only essential academic information but in competency, confidence, and mastery of many skills to include exposition and expression of thought and truth. I understand CC is not for everyone, but there are many of us who have had a wonderful and enriching experience, and our kids are more than well prepared for higher education and a lifetime of learning. There is more to education than meeting requirements. Also, as a director, I have been very well supported with tax issues as well as facility concerns. I'm sorry you had such a negative experience.

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 года назад

There's definitely more to education than meeting requirements, however being able to meet requirements is helpful for kids that want to graduate high school and are college bound. I would urge families that love the Challenge program to double check that they are meeting state requirements and college entry requirements for colleges that they may be considering. I was shocked that we would not be meeting requirements for either in my state with just Challenge. But I researched this issue very early, and finding this out when my daughter was in 7th grade allowed me to supplement the Challenge program and not have to worry about it. However by 9th grade, I grew weary of supplementing, and that combined with the many ethical problems within the CC structure meant that we had no choice but to move on. I'm glad your family is having a positive experience with CC, and I hope that it continues for you if you plan to remain.

@GC-kp4tb 3 года назад

Hm... Sounds like you might have gotten burnt out and didn't want to have your children in a classical education. It's easy to find curriculums that meet your state testing requirements... if that's the kind of education you want them to have. My kids have yearly state assessments and have done just fine with CC Found and ChallA. However, I look at my state and just cringe. If my standards are the Lord's they are much higher than any state and cannot be met by any curriculum. My opinion fwiw.

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 года назад

I am not burnt out. My standards are higher. That's why the academics were only part of the the video, which you would know if you watched the video before commenting. The other issues were the ethical and legal issues, which as a Christian, I do not agree with.

@johnnyblack87 2 года назад

They also function as a franchise!

@simplejoyfilledliving 2 года назад

Yes, they do seem to.

@reflectionsinthebible3579 Год назад

Well, I’m glad I stayed away from them.

@SRose-vp6ew 4 года назад

"What is she missing." Yep! And what are we missing? CC makes money off our creative energy, heart for ministry, and time. CC isn't awful but it's opportunistic and turns us prideful. I thought I was in something different than I was. Parents feel dependent or obligated, that's just the way it's set up. CC does NOT help their workers and I, and others, learned some bad ideas. I had a false understanding of my contractual obligations till I got outside help. That's sad. This company can't get their control issues under control. Special communities happen with or without CC because it's special families that make it.

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 года назад

Unfortunately this is so true!

@heyalgor 3 года назад

We were part of a community for 4 years. I agree Science is very lacking.: we moved the books one year ahead - Physical Science (Challenge B) and Biology (Challenge 1). We left after Challenge 1. Yes, I agree the number of books does not allow the student to study literature properly. One year of LTW is enough for them to fully understand. Challenge B should have moved on - definitely Challenge 1. Not only does Challenge 1 have too many books but there is very little diversity in the books for the 6 years of Challenge. The book selections does not reflect America or the World. Latin is another reason we left - my kids wanted to learn a language they could use with others outside of the community. Further, they really disliked the Henle books. We decided to homeschool for the flexibility but we had none when we did CC.

@simplejoyfilledliving 3 года назад

Challenge 1 seems to be the point where it isn’t worth it for most people any more.

@bobbyjoejr 4 года назад

In our Challenge 2 program, one student is taking collage classes and says that collage is 75% easier than CC. This is horrible. Stretch yourself!

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 года назад

Not sure I understand your comment. If you watched the video you would understand that we didn’t leave CC because it was too hard. My daughter needed more of a challenge and a good bit of the work was below grade level. I had to supplement way too much.

@bobbyjoejr 4 года назад

@@simplejoyfilledliving What I meant was that if you want to get the most out of the Challenge programs then stretch yourself. Do all that is required and add all that you know to papers in order to challenge yourself.

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 года назад

I agree, and we did that at first including heavily supplementing the curriculum until it became clear that we could do more and go farther without CC. And at the same time that I was finally ready to leave over academics, the business ethics issues were coming to light and my husband and I decided that we were unable to continue supporting the company with our money. And since I was a director, I no longer wanted to be associated with the company in a business sense because of the labor law and ethical concerns I had become aware of.

@bobbyjoejr 4 года назад

@@simplejoyfilledliving I see your reasons and you are a great mom for looking for the best options for your kids

@RockSimmer-gal4God 3 года назад

That’s not good that it wasn’t good for high school credits. It’s not good that they wasn’t explained how the government documents worked. I’m teaching reflective writing at the mo. I know it’s gonna be needed. I’m glad we didn’t go down this route as my daughter is beyond her grade level on some subjects and not on over subjects.

@therhodesboys3270 4 года назад

What were your motivations to post this? Was it out of love? Was it out of the abundance of the fruit of the spirit? Curious.

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 года назад

The purpose was to provide a curriculum review of a curriculum that we had used for 6 years and decided to stop using because of issues with high school credits, and to provide a review from the director side to show love towards fellow directors and would be directors by telling the truth about legal issues that I ran into in trying to operate a CC community the way CC requires it to be done. I was not allowed to share this information on CC's own director Facebook pages and many directors had same issues that I had run into and were getting no help from CC despite trying to get help. CC Directors are at risk of IRS liability in implementing communities in the way that were (at the time) trained to do. CC was not informing directors of these issues even though they had knowledge of it and been dealing with it for years. What is the motivation of your comment? Curious. Because this was fully covered in the video, if you actually watched it rather than just stopping by to leave a snarky comment.

@therhodesboys3270 4 года назад

@@simplejoyfilledliving I completely disagree with the IRS info you have given. I have spoken to my CPA about this repeatedly and he sees no issue. And I also disagree with the way you have publically shown your disapproval of CC. I don't think you completely bought into the classical way of educating. And also, here in Arkansas, we are the 2nd most friendly homeschool state in the union so we don't have all the state issues you seem to have. And in the end it is ok that we disagree.

@simplejoyfilledliving 4 года назад

As I stated in the video, directors and prospective directors should consult their CPA to make sure there are no legal issues. My CPA pointed out several problems and recommended changes (which I discussed in the video) to limit my liability. The changes that she recommended are what CC began doing a year later in California because they had no other choice. California was actively enforcing employment laws related to hiring subcontractors. Several directors in the state of SC went to the state government on the use of churches by for profit entities and received a written interpretation that it is not ok, and could cause the church to lose their tax exempt status. Each situation must be brought to the state on a case by case basis to be deemed acceptable or to understand the new tax burden that would be placed on the church as a result of the CC community meeting there. These directors had heard that it might be an issue and did not want to risk harming their churches in any way. I linked to that interpretation in my description box. Directors need to be made fully aware of issues so that they can check them out on their own. This is the only way that they can understand their own liability as well as any liability that they may unknowingly lead a church into. I am glad that you do not seem to have issues in your state, and that you feel that you have fully checked it out. But my CPA had a drastically different opinion. Our state government agreed with my CPA as well.

@therhodesboys3270 3 года назад

@Melissa A Congrats!

@therhodesboys3270 3 года назад

@@simplejoyfilledliving Awesome. I am happy we both know what we are doing!