Mentoring is a phenomenon that is gaining momentum in homeschooling circles across the country and beyond. You probably have a general concept of what mentoring is, and that it would ideally be a great idea – especially if you have the extra time, money, and resources to fit a mentoring program into your current schedule. Realistically however, we know that most homeschool parents struggle to get it all done in a day, and don’t exactly have a lushly flourishing money tree growing out in the backyard! So what’s the real skinny on homeschool mentoring – and how do you know if it’s right for your family?

Teaching science is a daunting task for lots of homeschooling parents. Let’s face it, science classes like physics or chemistry can be very technical and many parents worry they don’t have the knowledge base to teach these subjects properly. Relax!

Going to school most definitely does not mean spending more time on topics you love. Add in a dash of panic when classes seem to move too fast and those unavoidable comparisons to a better-performing student, and school can be downright nerve-racking. But with some flexibility, homeschooling can change everything for you.

Each child is a unique individual with his or her own way of learning, so flexibility is key during primary and elementary-level education (generally K-5). Homeschooling is all about flexibility. Elementary education is a time of great change and growth in the life of a child. It’s when their vocabulary and use of language seems to leap forward almost daily (with often surprising and hilarious results). Their physical development is equally stunning; the average boy in kindergarten will double their weight and grow a foot-and-a-half by 5th grade. Social development also seemingly sprouts overnight, with friendships and relationships beginning to take shape. Their brains are developing faster than at any other point in life. They are learning to not only talk, but to interact.

Is it possible to make going back to school actually….fun? It turns out you can. Don’t let the first day of school this September turn tedious; instead, help make the transition back into the classroom this fall an enjoyable experience. Here are five great ways to make going back to school fun.

How to Reduce Anxiety Heading Back to the Classroom

As summer progresses and we get closer to the start of school, it isn’t unusual for you and your kids to get a bit stressed out. School is stressful, no matter where it is…and not just for the kids. Schedules become compressed, deadlines loom, and tempers can rise. Since your home may serve as the workplace, the school, and the family’s retreat, it’s important to prevent stress from building up.

Summer is officially in full swing, and learning has gone the way of snowball fights and igloos. Your kids know school is something they’ll get back to eventually, but – between the pool and the beach and the sun and their friends – it’s pretty low on their list of current priorities.

It’s important to separate the facts from the fiction surrounding homeschooling. Some parents immediately recoil from the notion of homeschooling their children, while it excites other parents. But there are many families who just want to know: will my child be better off being homeschooled?

For over 20 years, study after study has concluded that homeschoolers excel both academically as well as socially. Here’s the rundown on what we know about the success of homeschooling!

Bridgeway Academy is pleased to announce our 2011 valedictorian, Juvanne Dartnall from Costa Mesa, CA. In addition to having the highest GPA for those Bridgeway Academy students who attended the graduation ceremony, Juvanne is a passionate ballet dancer who performs in several ballets a year. (We looked it up…that’s a professional ballet schedule!)

When all of the schoolwork is completed, the last test has been taken, and your homeschooled child is ready to pursue the next phase of their life, it’s time to graduate!

While some folks believe graduation ceremonies are an artificial milestone, they are also a rite of passage in our nation. They signify both an end…and a new beginning. In addition to marking the transition to another phase of life, they also recognize the achievements and hard work that helped the student reach that point.