top of page

WHAT TO TAKE & WHEN

Because there are so many curriculum options available to homeschool families, we realize that navigating the waters can be tricky. Our goal at EE is to provide a series of courses that build on one another and meet college entrance guidelines. Included below is a list of commonly offered courses for middle school and high school age students. These courses are not required to attend EE, nor are they required by the state of Texas. This list is meant to be used as a guideline when deciding what to take and when. Although it is NOT required by Texas law, parents often refer to the Texas Education Agency Graduation Requirements as a guideline in planning their child's high school courses. Wise parents will also want to consult the websites of the various colleges their child may be interested in attending to learn about their requirements. In fact, the college's requirements will be a much more important consideration in the long run.

 

Families are encouraged to make their own choices, based on their child's interests, needs, and abilities. Our goal is to support you, the homeschooling parent, in your efforts to provide the best possible education for your child.  We bring excellent teachers and parents together, but we are not a traditional school.  Parents retain control of their child's course selections and schedule, as well as retaining primary responsibility for their child's progress and preparation for college and life. If you need additional assistance in selecting classes, we will do what we can to help you figure out the best options for your child.  Please keep in mind that each teacher sets his or her own class descriptions and requirements, so we suggest you visit the course descriptions and contact the teacher for additional information if necessary when selecting classes.

 

Sequence by Grade

This is only a suggestion offered to help you understand how a typical grade-level schedule works.  Course names may change, but core subjects remain a constant offering, and new classes are added regularly.  Every student is different and has different needs and interests. Your child's schedule will be as unique as your child!

 

6th Grade Core

  • Math 5, Math 6 or Pre-Algebra A

  • General Science or another 6th-8th level Science

  • Any 6th-8th level English, Grammar, Writing or Literature class

  • World Cultures or another 6th-8th History, Geography, Social Studies or Worldviews class

  • Introductory foreign language course (optional)

  • Electives that help your child discover and develop their interests

​

7th Grade Core

  • Math 6, Pre-Algebra A or Pre-Algebra B (completion of Pre-Algebra A required)

  • General Science, Life Science or another 6th-8th or 7th-12th level Science

  • Any 6th-8th level English, Grammar, Writing or Literature class

  • Texas History or another 6th-8th History, Geography, Social Studies or Worldviews class

  • Worldviews I/Starting Points may be taken as a combination English credit and Social Studies credit

  • Introductory foreign language course (optional)

  • Electives that help your child discover and develop their interests

​

8th Grade (advanced 7th)

  • Pre-Algebra A, Pre-Algebra B (completion of Pre-Algebra A required) or Algebra 1

  • Life Science or "IPC" (Intro to Physics & Chemistry - usually taken with Algebra 1) or another 6th-8th or 8th-12th level Science

  • Any 6th-8th or 8th-12th level English, Grammar, Writing or Literature class

  • JH American History or another 6th-8th or 8th-12th level History, Geography, Social Studies or Worldviews class

  • Worldviews I/Starting Points may be taken as a combination English credit and Social Studies credit

  • Introductory foreign language course OR Foreign Language 1

  • Electives that help your child discover and develop their interests

​

9th Grade (advanced 8th)

  • Algebra 1, Geometry (if Algebra taken in 8th) or Consumer Math

  • "IPC" (Intro to Physics & Chemistry - usually taken with Algebra 1) or Biology (usually taken with Geometry) or another 9th-12th Science

  • English 1 or another 9th-12th level English, Grammar, Writing or Literature class

  • American History, Ancient History, World Geography or another 9th-12th History, Geography, Social Studies or Worldviews class

  • Worldviews I/Starting Points may be taken as a combination English credit and Social Studies credit

  • Foreign Language 1

  • Electives that help your child discover and develop their interests

​

10th Grade (advanced 9th)

  • Geometry, Algebra 2 or Consumer Math

  • Biology (IPC completion required), Earth & Space Science, Science of Wellness or another 9th-12th Science

  • English 2 or another 9th-12th level English, Grammar, Writing or Literature class

  • World History, World Geography or another 9th-12th History, Geography, Social Studies or Worldviews class

  • Worldviews I or Worldviews II (Title: Survive College with your Faith Intact) with advance approval from the teacher. 

  • Foreign Language 1 or 2

  • Electives that help your child discover and develop their interests

​

11th Grade (advanced 10th)

Some students fulfill these courses as dual credit. 

  • Algebra 2, Precalculus or Consumer Math

  • Chemistry (Algebra 2 concurrent enrollment or completion required), Anatomy & Physiology or another 9th-12th or Dual Credit Science

  • English 3/Honors or another 9th-12th level or Dual Credit English, Grammar, Writing or Literature class

  • Any 9th-12th or Dual Credit History, Geography, Social Studies or Worldviews class OR Government/Economics

  • Foreign Language 1, 2 or 3

  • Electives that help your child discover and develop their interests

​

12th Grade (advanced 11th)

Some students fulfill these courses as dual credit. 

  • Algebra 2, Precalculus, Calculus or Consumer Math

  • Physics (Algebra 2 or higher concurrent enrollment or completion required) or another 9th-12th or Dual Credit Science

  • Any 9th-12th level or Dual Credit English, Grammar, Writing, Literature or Worldviews class

  • Government/Economics or (if already taken) another 9th-12th or Dual Credit History, Geography, Social Studies

  • Foreign Language 2 or 3

​

Typical Sequence by Subject

(Middle School & High School)

​

Sciences

  • General Science/Earth Science (7th or 8th)

  • Life Science (7th or 8th)

  • IPC, Physical Science OR Introduction to Chemistry (accelerated 8th or 9th)

  • Biology (9th or 10th) *IPC completion required*

  • Chemistry (10th or 11th) *Algebra 2 or higher concurrent enrollment or completion required*

  • Physics (11th or 12th) *Algebra 2 or higher concurrent enrollment or completion required*

  • Dual Credit Biology 1 / Dual Credit Bio-technology: Partnership with Lone Star College

  • Specialized Sciences - Environmental Science, History of Science, Marine Biology, Astronomy, Anatomy & Physiology, etc. - These courses can be taken by students most years from 7th-12th grade. These are often taken by students who do not have the math skills to take the typical science course for their grade level. May also be taken for a change of pace and by advanced students who have already completed the other science courses offered.

​

Mathematics

  • Math 5/6 (5th or 6th)

  • Pre-Algebra A (6th or 7th)

  • Pre-Algebra B (7th or 8th)

  • Algebra 1 (accelerated 8th or 9th)

  • Geometry (9th or 10th)

  • Algebra 2 (10th or 11th)

  • Pre-calculus (11th or 12th)

  • Calculus (12th)

​

English

  • English Intermediate (6th-7th) 

  • English Jr. High (7th-8th) 

  • English I (8th-10th) 

  • English II (9th-11th)

  • English III/Honors (10th-12th)

  • Essay Writing (11th-12th)

  • Dual Credit English (11th-12th)

  • Specialized Literature and Writing classes - We offer a variety of unique courses that focus on different types of literature and writing.  While these can be used in place of traditional courses, we strongly encourage parents to be certain that their child is developing composition skills as well as an ability to perform literary analysis. These courses may be taken to provide extra focus on a specific skill such as writing or grammar or for a change of pace. May also be taken by advanced students who have already completed the other "grade level" courses offered. 

​

History, Social Studies

  • World Cultures (6th-7th)

  • Texas History (7th-8th)

  • Geography (8th-9th)

  • American History (8th-12th)

  • World History (9th-12th)

  • Ancient History, Medieval History, Renaissance & Revolutions or Modern History (9th-12th) (Do not need to be take sequentially)

  • Government & Economics

  • Dual Credit History

  • Specialized History, Social Studies and Civics classes - These courses can be taken by students most years from 7th-12th grade. May be taken to provide extra focus on a specific area of interest or for a change of pace. May also be taken by advanced students who have already completed the other "grade level" courses offered.

 

Foreign Language

  • La Clase Divertida (Spanish for kids) (3rd-7th)

  • Foreign Language Intro (6th-8th)

  • Foreign Language 1 (8th-12th)

  • Foreign Language 2 (9th-12th)

  • Foreign Language 3 (10th-12th)

​

Bible and Worldviews

  • Worldviews I: We use the 'Starting Points' outline with some changes to make sure we teach students how to study their Bible.  We also engage in discussion of contemporary issues to know how to respond as Christians.  The reading and writing will give the student a literature and a writing credit, in addition to the Bible / Theology credit.  

  • Worldviews II: "Survive College with your Faith Intact'  This class introduces students to the rigors and standards of college-level research and writing.  We reinforce basic Christian doctrine while introducing students to the range of opposing worldviews they will encounter in college.  We intent to reverse the 70% of Christian students who leave the faith during college.  

  • Dual-Credit Bible: Partnership with LeTourneau University.

  • Dual-Credit Philosophy: TBD

​

Typical Course Groupings

(Middle School & High School)

​

Math/Science Classes Typically Taken Together

Math and science courses are traditionally linked in order for the student to perform the calculations necessary for the science class. 

  • IPC (Introduction to Physics & Chemistry or Physical Science) requires Algebra 1 in the physics part of IPC.

  • Biology and Geometry are taught in the same year to prepare students for the PSAT test.

  • Chemistry requires Algebra 2 skills taken concurrently in order to accomplish the math in Chemistry.

  • Physics requires Pre-calculus/Trigonometry skills in order to accomplish the math in Physics.

 

High School Humanities: History, Geography and Social Studies

The study of History and Humanities can be approached in many different ways.  Some families prefer studying history in chronological order as is common in classical schools. Others prefer a wide to narrow course sequence found in traditional schools. Others customize their curriculum based on student interest or classes available in a particular year. Because of these differences, we typically include a range of ages in our humanities classes. Because History is a "layered" subject and concepts are covered multiple times throughout the K-12 years, we do not believe it is detrimental for a student to take these courses "out of order."​

 

  • Chronological Course Sequence: History classes taken in a sequential manner over a period of several years. This is usually a four year sequence: Ancient, Medieval, Renaissance, Modern.

  • Wide to Narrow: From a global perspective to a focused perspective. The usual progression is:  World Geography, World History, Early American History, Modern American History, American Government & Economics.

  • Customized: Some parents select history classes around other core subjects in their schedule. Students who are either advanced or behind in math and/or science, and those who have moved from one type of program or school to another often customize what they take.

bottom of page