Homeschooling Resources | Anchor Homeschool Co-op

Curriculum

By philosophy & learning style

Local Programs

SW Chicago suburbs

Online Classes

Live & self-paced options

Special Needs

2e & learning differences

High School

Transcripts & college prep

Community

Find your people

Curriculum by Philosophy

Every family is different. These are the most popular approaches among southwest suburban homeschoolers.

Classical Education

Rigorous • Language-focused • History-cycle

Best for: Families who want structured, academically challenging education with emphasis on Latin, logic, and great books.

Classical Conversations

Community-based program with weekly meetings. Foundations (K4-6), Essentials (4-6), Challenge (7-12). Multiple campuses in SW suburbs.

Memoria Press

Traditional classical curriculum with structured lesson plans. Strong in Latin, literature, and classical studies.

Veritas Press

Classical curriculum with online and self-paced options. Omnibus program for high school integrates history, theology, and literature.

The Well-Trained Mind

Comprehensive guide and curriculum recommendations. The "bible" of classical homeschooling by Susan Wise Bauer.

Charlotte Mason

Living books • Nature study • Short lessons

Best for: Families who value literature, outdoor exploration, and gentle, relational learning.

Ambleside Online

Free curriculum guide using living books and Charlotte Mason methods. Complete book lists and schedules for K-12.

Simply Charlotte Mason

Curriculum and resources for implementing Charlotte Mason at home. Organizer, history, science, and enrichment studies.

My Father's World

Unit study approach combining Charlotte Mason and classical methods. Strong biblical integration.

Master Books

Charlotte Mason inspired approach with living books and gentle learning. Popular for science and math.

Christian Traditional

Textbook-based • Biblical worldview • Structured

Best for: Families wanting traditional school structure with strong Christian foundation.

Abeka

Traditional textbook approach with strong biblical integration. Offers video instruction options (Abeka Academy).

BJU Press

Rigorous academic content from a Christian worldview. Available in textbook or online formats (BJU Press Distance Learning).

Sonlight

Literature-based curriculum with global focus and missionary emphasis. Instructor guides make it open-and-go.

Apologia

Science and worldview curriculum known for conversational tone and biblical foundation. Popular for junior high and high school science.

Unschooling & Interest-Led

Child-led • Real-world learning • Flexible

Best for: Self-motivated learners and families who trust the natural learning process.

Khan Academy

Free online courses in math, science, and humanities. Comprehensive K-12 math program with mastery tracking.

Outschool

Thousands of live online classes on every topic imaginable. Pay per class, no subscription. Great for pursuing interests.

Unit Studies by Amanda Bennett

Short-term and year-long unit studies on various topics. Download and dive deep into interests.

The Homeschool Scientist

Science resources and unit studies that follow interests. Great for hands-on learners.

Eclectic

Mix-and-match • Best of all worlds • Customized

Best for: Most families! Picking the best resource for each subject and each child's learning style.

Timberdoodle

Customizable curriculum kits with hands-on focus. Great for visual and kinesthetic learners.

Moving Beyond the Page

Literature-based comprehensive curriculum. Secular option with strong critical thinking emphasis.

BookShark

Literature-based secular curriculum (Sonlight's secular sister company). Open-and-go instructor guides.

Time4Learning

Interactive online curriculum for PreK-12. Affordable monthly subscription, good for visual learners.

Math Favorites

Specific subject deep-dive

Singapore Math

Conceptual, mastery-based approach. Dimensions Math or Primary Mathematics series. Strong foundation for STEM.

Math-U-See

Manipulative-based, mastery approach. DVD instruction, great for visual and kinesthetic learners.

Teaching Textbooks

Computer-based math instruction with automatic grading. Independent learning for 3rd grade through pre-calculus.

IXL

Personalized learning platform for math and language arts. Comprehensive practice and assessment.

Local Programs

Southwest Chicago suburbs have a thriving homeschool community.

Anchor Homeschool Co-op

Lemont, IL

Christian homeschool co-op serving K4–12th families. Teacher-led classes one day a week (Tuesdays) with parent involvement.

Ages: K4 through 12th grade
Meeting: Tuesdays, 9:30am-1:30pm
Structure: Teacher-led classes
Focus: Community, excellence, faith

Learn More

Find More Local Groups

Search Facebook for "Lemont homeschool," "Naperville homeschoolers," "Chicago southwest suburbs homeschool," or "Illinois Christian Home Educators." New groups form regularly.

Online Classes & A La Carte Options

When you need expertise you don't have at home, or your teen needs peer interaction in a subject.

Outschool

Thousands of live online classes on every topic. From Minecraft math to essay writing to D&D campaigns. Pay per class.

Mystery Science

Engaging, open-and-go science lessons for elementary. Video-based with hands-on activities.

Night Zookeeper

Online writing program for ages 6-12. Gamified approach that gets reluctant writers excited.

Coursera

College-level courses from universities worldwide. Many free to audit. Great for high school electives.

Dual Enrollment

Local community colleges like Joliet Junior College and Moraine Valley offer early entry programs for high schoolers.

The Great Courses

College-level lecture series on every subject. DVD or streaming. Excellent for high school history and science.

Special Needs & Twice-Exceptional (2e)

Resources for dyslexia, ADHD, autism, giftedness, and learning differences.

Learning Differences

All About Learning Press

All About Reading and All About Spelling. Orton-Gillingham based, explicit phonics. Excellent for dyslexia.

Logic of English

Comprehensive reading, spelling, and handwriting curriculum. Strong phonics and morphology instruction.

Reading Horizons

Structured literacy program for struggling readers. Online or instructor-led options.

Handwriting Without Tears

Developmentally appropriate handwriting instruction. Great for fine motor delays.

Gifted & 2e Resources

Art of Problem Solving

Challenging math curriculum for gifted students. Beast Academy (elementary) and AOPS (middle/high school).

Davidson Academy Online

Tuition-free online school for profoundly gifted students. Full-time or single courses.

Johns Hopkins CTY

Center for Talented Youth. Online courses and summer programs for gifted students.

SENG

Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted. Resources and support groups for 2e families.

Illinois Special Needs Resources

ISBE Special Education: Homeschool students with IEPs have rights. Check isbe.net for current regulations.
Local Testing: Search Facebook for "[Your town] + educational testing" or "[Your town] + dyslexia tutor" to find local specialists.
Therapy Access: Some families maintain part-time public school enrollment to access speech, OT, or PT services. Check with your district.

High School & College Prep

Transcripts, dual enrollment, and preparing for life after homeschool.

Creating Transcripts

It's easier than you think. You are the school administrator, and you determine what counts as credit.

HSLDA High School

Transcript templates, record-keeping samples, and guidance on assigning credits.

Let's Homeschool High School

Free transcript creator, planning tools, and college admission guidance.

Dual Enrollment

Start college early and save money. Many homeschoolers graduate high school with an associate degree.

Joliet Junior College

Early Entry program for high schoolers. Check eligibility requirements for homeschool students.

Moraine Valley Community College

Serves Cook County families. Dual enrollment options close to the Lemont area.

College Admission Tips

Start your transcript freshman year (easier than recreating later)
Keep course descriptions brief but specific
Include extracurriculars, volunteer work, and jobs
Consider the Common App's homeschool section
Many colleges actively recruit homeschoolers
Standardized tests (SAT/ACT) can validate your grades

Note: Illinois public universities are required to accept homeschool diplomas. Private colleges often love homeschool applicants.

Find Your Community

You don't need to do this alone. Here's how to find your people.

Facebook Groups

Search for:

"[Your town] + homeschool"
"Illinois Christian Home Educators"
"Chicago Homeschool Network"
"[Your curriculum] + users"

Local Events

Look for:

ICHE Convention (annual, Chicagoland)
Curriculum sales (spring/summer)
Park days (year-round)
Field trip groups

Online Support

When it's 3am and you need help:

Homeschool subreddits
Instagram homeschool community
Podcasts: Read-Aloud Revival, Homeschool Snapshots
YouTube: search "day in the life homeschool"

Ready to Visit Anchor?

Come observe our co-op in action. Meet families, see classes, and decide if Anchor is right for your family. Not sure where to start? Read our beginner's guide or explore the Southwest Suburbs guide.

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