That flexibility is accomplished by simply giving you the parent or, in some cases, a married student the total responsibility to educate. Then Excalibur comes along beside you with help--as much as you need.

Traditionally that approach of giving the student and the parent responsibility has been called homeschooling. It simply means giving control of education back to those to whom it belongs.

Many parents may panic when they hear the term homeschool. For many it has negative connotations. For the most part, those negative connotations are all urban legends that have nothing to do with reality, and Excalibur's unique approach enables nearly every family to take advantage of the many benefits that homeschooling offers.

False stereotypes of homeschooling

First let's address some of those negative connotations.

1. Socialization: Homeschoolers are often thought of as isolated, having no social skills due to lack of interaction with others outside their families. While it may be true that some meet that description, it is far from the norm and with Excalibur it would be a specific family choice, not an integral part of what homeschooling is about.
   
   Most homeschoolers are the most interacting group of kids we know. Instead of being incarcerated in a peer group institution as they would in a public or private school, they are involved in all types of activities with others of all ages, anywhere, anytime. We have students who take months off to homeschool in other countries, travel the country, or even spend their time on a yacht at sea.
   
   Camps, conferences, and competitions keep homeschoolers on the move--going new places, meeting new people, and constantly finding themselves in new situations outside the norm.
   
   And homeschoolers are comfortable with adults. They grow accustomed to being with them, interacting with them, and learning to act in more adult ways. As a result, they are much less likely to be influenced by negative peer pressures.
   
   In short, the homeschoolers we know are better socialized than many others their age. And because they spend more time with good adult role models, they tend to assume more positive, respectful attitudes.
   
   
2. Academics: Society is becoming more aware of the fact that homeschoolers seem to win many of their competitions with public and private schoolers. Despite the lack of funding for homeschooling, homeschoolers tend to accel academically.
   
   National test scores show that they exceed the national average by a considerable amount. Public school students, on average, score at the 50th percentile on achievement tests. Homeschoolers, on the other hand, are on average at the 75th percentile. National testing shows that homeschoolers tend to score one to four grade levels above their public and private school peers.
   
   
3. College Entrance: In many cases, homeschoolers in Alabama are finding it easier to get into college than their public and private school peers. College admissions departments have learned that homeschoolers are, for the most part, better prepared and more motivated to succeed in college. They have learned how to study independently and learn on their own--just the skills that colleges are looking for.
   
   High school accreditation and GPA are not the keys to college entrance they once were. Homeschoolers are gaining entrance to the best colleges and military academies, many with partial or full accademic scholarships.
   
   There is simply no barrier, in most cases, for a homeschooler to attend the college of his or her choice.
   
   

The Excalibur Advantage

As a church school, Excalibur has the flexibility to determine the methods and places of education for its enrolled students. That is how we are able to tailor a program unique for each family. For example:

• Traditional homeschoolers: Many families choose to homeschool their children from the very beginning. Each has its own personal reasons for doing so. They are in total control of place, time, and curriculum. Excalibur offers to these familes a number of vital services.
  
  
  • Legal covering: Since Alabama has no homeschool law per se, each family must enroll in a church school to gain the right to homeschool in the state. Excalibur qualifies as the "legal covering" or "cover school" for them.
    
    
  • Transcripts, diplomas, and graduation ceremonies: College entrance, the military, and civilian employment still require a highschool transcript showing the courses required by that institution and proof of graduation, i.e., a high school diploma. Our graduation ceremonies each year are the highlight of our year for students and parents alike.
    
    
  • Support Group: This is where the action is. The support group means activities, for example, banquets, retreats, field trips, competitions, classes, you name it. There is always something going on with Excalibur families.
    
    
• Nontraditional students: We're finding a number of familes coming to us with students in the middle or high school age group who have found that their public or private school is simply not providing the flexibility that their student needs. Many are uncomfortable with various aspects of the traditional school, but feel unable for various reasons to do the actual schooling themselves.
  
  Furthermore, many of these families have no one with whom they can leave their students during the day while they work. Excalibur has options that allow even these families to pursue the flexibility of homeschooling.
  
  
  • Excalibur Online: This Internet-based curriculum allows 3rd through 12th grade students to study anywhere they have access to an Internet-attached computer. Most Internet-generation students readily adapt to this program and its colorful, interactive approach to learning. Excalibur tutors have total access to the student's work in order to monitor progress. Details
    
    

    Let Excalibur work
    with you
    to achieve what you
    may have not even
    dared to dream. 

    Give us a call at
    256-325-1500