Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

College is usually four long years for a student after graduating from high school. If possible, why not knock off some of those college courses a bit early? Mike Farris tells you why this can be helpful on today's Home School Heartbeat.

Mike:


Today we have with us Dr. Paul Bonicelli, Dean of Academic Affairs at Patrick Henry College. Paul, how is starting college courses early helpful for high school students?


Paul:


Mike, its very helpful. It is one way that they can expand the curriculum in their homeschooling environment, or if they're in a Christian school, they can take the courses that they can't necessarily get at home or in their school or in whatever co-op is available. They can expand upon studies in math or science. They can go further in literature or history. They can take topical courses. They can also do something that is quite beneficial for the pocketbook for their family. They can get some college courses out of the way so that when they are actually enrolled in college, they can do it faster.


Mike:


How would you compare a distance learning course from a college like Patrick Henry College to taking a course down at your local community college?


Paul:


I think there's a world of difference. When you take a course from us as a high school student online, you're getting the values of the homeschooler, the Christian school environment, but you're also getting the faculty who have extensive training, and the student gets to interact with students in that online course who are also preparing themselves for college.