• What should I do if I can’t find a book on the book list OR it’s too expensive?

  The books and activities in Level A courses are provided to help your student dig into the topics we’re studying, but they’re optional. The program is completely customizable and you can do as much or as little as you like! In the event you can’t find a book on the list, you can skip it or substitute with a different book on the topic that you have access to. If a book is too expensive to purchase, we highly recommend looking for it at your local library and utilizing interlibrary loan. AnotheFew readers

• Which level of astronomy should I choose for my student?

  We have three levels of astronomy: Elementary Experience Astronomy (Level A), Experience Astronomy (Level B), and Experience Astronomy PLUS (Level C). Experience Astronomy PLUS (Level C) was designed for high school students. This course builds on our Level B program—with all the same lectures, quizzes, and outdoor sky observations—and then takes students to the next level. With 12 extra lessons, students receive throughout the year with projects or research papers to accompany each one. WeFew readers

• Should all of the biology labs be completed?

  We’ve included more labs than what is typically found in high school lab science courses. This was done intentionally, to give families flexibility and options. Families who are on a tight budget may choose to complete the labs that do not require any (or many) specialty lab supplies. Or students may choose the labs that are most interesting to them. However, we do recommend all students complete labs 1 and 2 as we’ve designed these labs to introduce your student to the scientific method and laFew readers

• What ages or grades are the elementary courses appropriate for?

  Our level A classes are geared towards kids 6-12 years of age, but younger students may also enjoy the course. We’d encourage you to watch the lesson previews alongside your student to see if you believe the course is right for them. Also, remember our fabulous fit promise: you have 30 days from your course purchase date to check it out. If you don’t think it’s a great fit for your family, simply email us and we’ll process your refund. Thousands of families have used our courses, but we wanFew readers

• Are the courses live or recorded?

  As a homeschool family, we know flexibility is one of the many benefits of homeschooling. All of our lesson videos are recorded giving your student flexibility to watch the videos whenever is most convenient for your family's schedule.Few readers

• Do you offer group discounts?

  We offer co-op pricing for most of our courses for groups of 4 or more who have designated a single instructor/facilitator. Co-op courses are designed for groups that are meeting at least weekly. Our upper level co-op courses do not include auto-graded quizzes. Co-op facilitators are responsible for assigning and grading student’s work. Because of the way our group programs are set up, we are not able to communicate with individual parents of students within co-ops.Few readers

• What kind of outdoor observation activities will my student complete in Experience Astronomy?

  One of the goals of Experience Astronomy is to teach the student how to read the sky and give them the opportunity to see how the sky changes throughout the year. In Experience Astronomy (Level B) and Experience Astronomy PLUS (Level C) there are 33 outdoor assignments in all. All assignments involve observation with the naked eye (no telescopes needed) and some kind of note-taking or drawing of what is seen. Most activities can be completed in 30 minutes or less, but all of these activities iFew readers

• How much time per week will Experience Astronomy take?

  That depends on which level of the course your student is taking! Elementary Experience Astronomy (Level A) The Elementary course is designed to be flexible to fit your family's schedule. Families have access to 30 engaging video lessons, each introducing your kids to new concepts. You can complete as many or as few lessons as you’d like each week. However, most families complete one lesson per week and complete the full course in one school year. But lifetime access gives you the flexibilFew readers

• How do I preview the course?

  Click “Preview” at the top of the page and enter your email address. This will give you access to lessons in our Elementary and Upper Level courses.Few readers

• Do you offer a missionary family discount?

  We are pleased to be able to offer a 40% partial tuition award for full-time missionary families on our courses. This award is intended to help offset the burden of fundraising for missionaries serving in the field who are responsible for raising their own support. This tuition award applies to immediate members of the family only and applies to our full-price courses. To apply for the tuition award, please send us an email at [info@journeyhomeschoolacademy.com](mailto:info@journeyhomeschoolacFew readers

• Do you offer discounts for families enrolling in multiple courses?

  We do not offer discounts on multiple courses. However, we do offer payment plans for each course if you need to spread payments out over time.Few readers

• Do I need to purchase the course for each of my children?

  When you purchase our Level A (elementary) courses, you may use the course with all the children in your immediate family. Our Level B (Middle School) and Level C (High School) courses are purchased per student. However, we do offer generous multi-student discounts if you have multiple students taking the same course in one year.Few readers

• Can my public or private school child enroll in your courses?

  Of course! While our courses are certainly great for homeschoolers, you can use them to supplement the education of any student who wants to learn more whether they’re homeschooled, public schooled, or private schooled.Few readers

• Should my student take Elementary Experience Astronomy (Level A) or Experience Astronomy (Level B)?

  Some parents with students in the 11-12-year-old age range debate between Elementary Experience Astronomy and Experience Astronomy and wonder what would be the best fit. Consider the following as you’re determining which course is right for your student: Video lessons in the elementary course are shorter than the upper-level videos and taught using simpler language for younger viewers. The upper-level course uses a traditional textbook whereas the elementary level courses have a recommendedFew readers

• Are Upper Level Experience Astronomy and Astronomy PLUS self-paced?

  Yes, these courses are self-paced. However, Experience Astronomy was designed to follow the sky in real time. Students will get the most out of the course when they can follow along and complete many of their outdoor observations along with the lesson videos beginning the course between the 3rd week of August and 3rd week of September. This is the ideal date range to begin the course. Beginning before or after this may mean certain constellations are not visible to you. We understand thisFew readers

• Do you have a suggested schedule for Experience Chemistry?

  Your student has the flexibility to complete the lessons whenever they’d like throughout the week, but we recommend completing 1 lesson per week. Students have access to the lesson for a full year. With 35 lessons, they’ll still have time for periodic breaks throughout the school year as needed and be able to complete the course. Below is a sample weekly schedule, based on a 5-day school week: Monday: Watch the first lesson video and fill in the outline Tuesday: Watch the second lesson vidFew readers

• Can we use a different textbook for Biology?

  We provide a recommended reading list from the textbook The Riot and the Dance. You may substitute another textbook or skip textbook reading altogether, but we believe this textbook does a wonderful job reinforcing concepts we cover in the lecture. The textbook The Riot and the Dance is available to purchase in our store.Few readers

• Do you have a suggested schedule for Earth Science Explored?

  Each week's assignments and readings are different, and each student works at their own pace, but you may find this suggested weekly guide/schedule to be helpful as you plan ahead. A typical week will be around 2.5-3 hours of coursework. Monday: Watch lesson video and fill in lesson outlines in the student guidebook Tuesday: Assigned reading from the chosen textbook Wednesday: Complete lesson quiz Thursday: Watch lab video and complete lab assignment Friday: Review lesson + retake thFew readers

• Do you have a statement of faith?

  Yes! You can read more about what we believe here.Few readers

• Do you have a co-op option available for your courses?

  We do! You can find out everything about our co-op licensing program right here.Few readers

• How much do the courses cost?

  The prices for each course are based on the level and are as follows: Level A (ages 6-11) - $189 Experience Astronomy Experience Biology Earth Science Explored Elementary Physical Science Explored Elementary Level B (ages 11-14) - $229 Experience Astronomy Earth Science Explored! Physical Science Explored Level B Electives (ages 11-14) - $119 World of Birds Dive Into Marine Biology Level C (ages 14-18) - $329 Experience Astronomy PLUS Experience Biology Experience Chemistry DiscFew readers

• When can I register?

  Registration is open year-round. You can register for our courses at any time, and all courses can be started at any time.Few readers

• What’s your refund policy?

  We have a Fabulous Fit Promise! We want this course to be a fabulous fit for your family. Based on our parent and student feedback, we think you will be. However, we offer a 100% money-back, happiness guarantee within 30 days of the start of the course OR 6 months from the purchase date (whichever comes first). What does this mean for each of our courses? Elementary courses (Level A): 30 days from course purchase date because your access to the course begins immediately! **UppeFew readers

• What is the educational background of the course creators?

  Trisha Gilkerson has a bachelor of science in biology and a master's in counseling. She's taught high school and middle science, psychology, and math at a local private school and at homeschool co-ops for the past 15 years. She's also taught several classes at a local college over the years. Luke's a natural-born teacher—his master's is in religious studies from Reformed Theological Seminary. In college, he worked in his university’s astronomy department as a planetarium and observatory instructFew readers

• I'm in Canada. Where can I purchase lab supplies for Experience Biology (Level C)?

  Home Science Tools may not ship dissection specimens to Canada. You may use the a la carte option to purchase everything else needed for your lab. However, you will need to source dissection specimens from a lab supply company in Canada. We will update our lab supplies page with more resources for you as they become available! WFew readers

• Can my student skip part of the course?

  Elementary (Level A) Courses: You are free to use any or all parts of the course for your children. There is no requirement to complete all the components of each lesson, or even to complete every lesson. Level B Courses: In order to progress to each new lesson, all components of the prior lesson must be completed. For Level B Experience Astronomy, the readings from the textbook are highly recommended but not required. Level C Courses: In order to complete the requirements for highFew readers

• Do parents have to grade anything? What records do parents need to keep?

  In our upper level courses (levels B & C), quizzes and exams are graded automatically, so all you need to do is keep a record of those grades. You will be able to easily find these grades on your dashboard throughout the year. Any lab reports and other assignments are the parents' responsibility to grade, but we always try to provide detailed grading rubrics and answer keys to make that as easy as possible for you! We'll provide a guide to help you calculate a final grade if you need it. SFew readers

• How long will I have access to my course?

  UPPER LEVEL COURSES (Levels B & C) You’ll have access to the course for one year from your start date. There are 35 weekly lessons, which provides ample time for most students to complete the course and take some periodic breaks throughout the school year as needed. Once each video is live, your student can watch and re-watch it anytime they would like to throughout the duration of the course. ELEMENTARY COURSES (Level A) You’ll have lifetime access to the course for all studeFew readers

• Where can I order lab supplies?

  We partner Cornerstone Educational Supply to provide kits with most of the supplies (ie: the specialty items) for our science courses. Each course has a lab supply page with links to these kits.Few readers

• Do you offer military discounts?

  We do not have a military discount, however, we do offer payment plans you may take advantage of and spread your payments out over time.Few readers

• How do your courses align with Classical Conversations?

  Unfortunately, we do not have specifics concerning the Classical Conversations cycles. We recommend comparing our scope and sequences to the memory work for Classical Conversations. Please follow the links to your preferred course scope and sequence: Level A: Experience Astronomy Elementary [Experience Biology Elementary](https://journeyhomeschoolacademy.com/accessally_protected/biology-eleFew readers

• Do students have to be doing the course at the same time to receive the multi-student discount?

  Yes, the multi-student discount is for families with multiple children doing an upper level course during the same school year.Few readers

• Can my student earn high school credit for Equipped: New Testament?

  Yes, you can list it on your student’s high school transcript as a Bible, literature, or elective class. Read this post to learn more about how to include a Bible class on a high school transcript.Few readers

• I don’t live in the US, can I take any of your courses?

  Good news! Nearly all of our courses can be completed anywhere in the world. However our Upper Level Experience Astronomy (Level B) and Experience Astronomy PLUS (Level C) only work for those who live in the Northern Hemisphere.Few readers

• Can I enroll more than one student in a B or C Level course at the same time?

  In the upper level courses, each student receives their own grade, online portal, and auto-graded quizzes so each student should enroll separately. We do offer generous multi-student discounts for families enrolling more than one student in the class at the same time.Few readers

• Are your courses accredited? Do they follow Common Core?

  Our courses are not accredited.  Level C courses require enough hours of work to earn high school credit (in most states, students need to accumulate at least 120 hours of instruction and course work to receive high school credit). Our courses do not follow Common Core. You can check with your state’s standards to see what the requirements are for you.Few readers

• What version of the Bible do I need for Equipped: New Testament?

  You can use whichever translation you prefer. Mr. Gilkerson will largely be quoting from the ESV throughout the course.Few readers

• Can I see a scope and sequence?

  Please follow the links to your preferred course scope and sequence: Level A: Experience Astronomy Elementary Experience Biology Elementary Earth Science Explored Elementary [PhysicaFew readers

• When should my student take chemistry?

  Students in the 11th and 12th grades have had the most success when taking this course. We designed this course to be an honors-level course. There is a lot of math and the course moves at a fast pace to cover all of the material. If you are looking for a class for younger students or students you’re not sure would be able to keep up with the pace of this course, we recommend checking out our Astronomy, [Biology](https://journeyhFew readers

• Are there any math requirements for your courses?

  For Chemistry and Physics, your student should have completed an algebra course before taking this chemistry course. These are rigorous math-based, honors-level courses. While Physical Science Explored does not have a lot of math involved, as an integrated chemistry and physics course it does have some. Students should have a good understanding of basic math operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) and fractions. Some pre-algebra skills would also be helpful. Our otherFew readers

• What do you teach about evolution?

  None of our elementary (Level A) courses bring up age of the earth questions or talk about evolutionary principles, but they all consistently speak about the Creator of the universe. However, as students get older we believe there is a time students need to be equipped with a general understanding of the theory of evolution and various age of the earth questions because they'll encounter these topics throughout their lives. They need to learn to think critically about these topics when theyFew readers

• What’s the difference between Upper Level Experience Astronomy and Experience Astronomy PLUS?

  Experience Astronomy (Level B) was designed specifically for middle school students. It includes 35 weekly lectures, quizzes, outdoor observations, and reading assignments. We typically recommend this course for students in 6th-8th grade, however, we have had some students slightly younger than this complete this course. Experience Astronomy PLUS (Level C) was designed for high school students looking to earn a science credit. This course builds on our Level B program—with all the same lecturesFew readers

• Does my student need their own email address to take the course?

  No, however, the system requires a unique email address for each user. This does not mean your student needs to have access to an email account if you are not comfortable with them having one. If your son or your daughter doesn’t have an email address, you have a few options. You can create a new email address for your student or yourself. If you, the parent, have a second email address that’s different from the one you used to sign your student up, you may use that email address. YouFew readers