California Families

We have recently enrolled as a new family, and just today, have sent back our completed assessments. I can say, up to this point, our experiences have all been consistently wonderful…just as we thought they would be! We are looking forward to our first school year with STAA! --Meghan from California

This fall our family will begin our 8th year home schooling with St. Thomas Aquinas Academy. This year's students will be in 3rd and 11th grades. Our experience with STAA has been wonderful. Some years we have followed the suggested course of study closely and others we have generated our own courses too. We have been very impressed with STAA's choices for our children. We have all enjoyed the way STAA ties courses together for the whole family. For example, most years we have chosen 1 science subject and 1 history period to study with the whole family. Our religion, art, and literature classes usually tie into the history period also which reinforces each subject. We usually read aloud from the suggested books, then do activities or papers according to age and abilities. Our oldest graduated from STAA 2 years early by taking the CHSPE. She then took the assessment at our local Jr. college and was able to go directly into college level courses except for in math. She had taken Algebra I her sophomore year, so she assessed at Algebra II level as one would expect. She graduated from Jr. College in 2 years taking a rigorous course of study and was recognized by the President of the college as a home school student at the ceremonies. She will be attending our local state university this fall. - Alyse from California (July 2006)

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the STAA program! It was a pleasant coincidence that while attending a Homeschool Game Night during our first few months of homeschooling that we were introduced to STAA by a very satisfied mom of four. STAA has a methodical approach to homeschooling, which we found quite encouraging being new to homeschooling while we developed our own mission statement in educating our two boys, aged 12 and 6. We found STAA to be solid and established in the nuances of homeschooling and have used their procedures quite successfully. We truly enjoy the fact that help is just a phone call away and the staff is always calming and affirming. We highly recommend STAA to all families who are thinking of switching from another program or are simply looking for a great Christian curriculum backed by experienced staff members. -- Suzanne from California

It has been truly a blessing to be associated with STAA since 1996. STAA has helped us to provide our family with a superior, solid, Catholic education. When we joined the STAA family our children were in 2nd and 3rd grades. Currently they are in 5th, 9th, and 10th grades. Throughout the years the staff at STAA has taken the time to get to know each of our children spiritually, emotionally, and academically including Mom! A staff member has always been available to listen to our accomplishments, but also guide us through those times that have been challenging. Through the use of the STAA assessment tests, the STAA staff has helped us to design a curriculum that meets the current needs of our family situation. The staff has been able to recommend books and materials that not only meet the academic, but also the spiritual, physical and emotional development of our children. All the curriculum materials recommended have enhanced our Catholic family life. From Little Angel readers in kindergarten and first grade, to Creator and Creation in high school. These materials not only challenged our children to live and learn their Catholic faith, but also has given our family a solid foundation to build on in the future. The recommendation of completing many of the early elementary school subjects orally worked very well for our children. We found that as a result of this method, the children gently learned the material and did not become burned out with writing. As a result, when they were physically and emotionally ready to write, the ideas just flowed out on to paper and they enjoyed the process. Last year as our son began high school we had several concerns related to keeping track of hours, credits, and academics. STAA has taken the stress out of this transition. They have provided us with simple record keeping methods to track hours, credits and academics accomplished. We have always known that STAA's course of study provides an exceptional education for our children. This fact was recently confirmed by one of our local high school principals. After sharing with him the STAA Ancient Greece course of study our son was completing for 9th grade, he informed us that ALL the courses our son was taking this year would be considered honors level classes in any of the local high schools in our area. Thank you for all the support that you have provided our family throughout the past 7 years. I know we would NOT have been able to do it without you. I can think of several occasions that I would have thrown in the towel if it had not been for your support and guidance. -- Karen from California

I have three children, a son: age 8 (entering 3rd grade), a daughter: age 6 (entering 1st grade), and a pre-pre-school son: age 3. Last year we were recommended to teach "The Morning Offering" prayer as part of their Religion requirement. Myself a convert, and even my husband, a "cradle Catholic," were unaware of this prayer, but I found it and learned it. We have made it a morning routine that they cannot watch TV with breakfast (a habit in itself I know we need to break, but alas, that's another story...!) until they say their Morning Offering. Much to my amazement and joy, my oldest (late riser) stops himself while coming downstairs if the TV is already on, says the prayer by himself and then proceeds to come and join us!! This is a boy who is full of energy and independence is not second nature. I am so proud of him, and thankful that this can be something he will have for the rest of his life... Even our 3 year old has learned parts of this prayer, grace at meals, and his personal favorite, the Hail Mary. Our daughter, age 6, has memorized quite a handful of prayers, including the Act of Contrition and Apostles' Creed. This has nothing to do with my ability, believe me!, but DAILY prayers, morning and night, over the past years with STAA. We started while our oldest was in parochial kindergarten. Is it hard? Yes! Do I want to give up at times? Yes! But is it worth it? ABSOLUTELY!!! And being with STAA who offers experience, support, and the guesswork out of the plethora of homeschooling materials, it has been a godsend. I also appreciate how flexible you have been in offering options to pursue our interests through the "Home Generated Course Plan" and in allowing them to work at their own skill level and pace. It feels like a nurturing, home schooling community. I feel dependent (on God alone), independent (to get the job done), but I never feel alone. The kids are teaching me all the time. By the time the kids graduate, I'll have a PhD in patience!! I hope this helps. With all our struggles, it brings us a little closer to Jesus' own sufferings, and with all our joys, it helps us to boast more of the greatness of the Lord. God bless, -- Jenni from California (July 2006)

We have 2 homeschoolers - ages 14 and 12. We have been homeschooling for 4 years. We have had great success with STAA. I can honestly say that our children have blossomed into well rounded individuals because of your program. We are encouraged to use a wide variety of teaching styles. We especially like reading many of our assignments out loud - you cover so much more that way! Every day we also have oral quizzes on certain subjects. I like being kept on track by having a schedule to complete, and the necessary paperwork to document this. But I am truly an unschooler at heart. If I see an interesting science program on TV, or a museum show that is not part of our curriculum, we are off and doing that. Consequently, my kids are very excited about learning, because they are INTERESTED! Our school day is somewhat long for homeschoolers because there are so many fascinating things to explore everyday that we just loose track of time. My husband and I are very glad that we chose STAA. Thank you -- Diane from California (July 2006)