Live Courses
Get LIVE, interactive online courses for your student…
Choose from courses in all subject areas for your upper grade school, middle school, and high school student—taught by worldwide experts in Catholic education
If you want to school at home, and:
With Live Online Courses, You Get:
Interactive, Engaging Weekly Classes
Courses in All Subject Areas
Scheduled Meeting Times
Student Accountability
Get regular assignments due at certain times
Grading
Get specific, one-on-one feedback on assignments
Easy Access
How it works in 3 steps:
1: Decide on your courses
Explore the course catalog to build a full schedule or choose specific courses to supplement your learning.
2: Register
Register early to secure your seat—and get in before the early enrollment deadlines* to save. You’ll be led through a simple process to get your student signed up.
*Early Enrollment Deadlines
By July 15 (for Fall courses) – By November 15 (for Spring courses) – By April 15 (for Summer courses)
Explore the LIVE courses and find what fits your student now…
LIVE Courses Frequently Asked Questions
How long are the LIVE courses?
During each semester, the length of a course can range from four (4) to fifteen (15) weeks. Classes are typically held weekly, and some upper-level courses meet twice a week.
What happens in a LIVE Course?
Easy Click-In Access
Once your student is registered for a course, he will be able to view the course in his profile. Within two weeks of the course start date, your student will be able to access the course page in Caravel.
Scheduled Days and Times
On a scheduled day and at a specific class start time, your student “arrives in class” through another simple click of a link found in the course page or on his calendar in Caravel.
Two Adults are in the Classroom
Once in class, your student interacts with the Course Monitor — another adult in the classroom who welcomes your student and helps your student with any questions or technical issues. Before class, students are guided by the Monitor to interact together in the chat box — so students can get to know each other and become comfortable with online learning technology and methods while making friends.
Enjoy LIVE Interaction with the Instructor
At the start of the class, your instructor joins in with LIVE video and begins instruction. When appropriate, the students and the instructor interact together in the chat box (and students respond on the microphone when offered interactive opportunities and “called on,” to join in with ideas). Students’ conversations are monitored and guided throughout.
Completing Homework
After class, students complete the coursework and assignments listed in Caravel, uploading completed assignments into the easy submissions area before the assignment’s due date — and then the students meet together again in the next scheduled class.
Get Answers to Your Student’s Questions
During the week between LIVE classes, if your student has any questions, your Instructor is available via email to answer questions, give examples, chat directly about an assignment’s feedback or grade, and help your student along with whatever’s needed.
How does it work?
- Attend class with students online from around the world.
- Interact each week with your instructor firsthand during class, and communicate with your Instructor via Caravel’s messaging system between classes.
- Work each week with your complete, easy-to-access course materials — including readings, learning resources, videos, and more.
- Get direct feedback on weekly homework, with first-hand accountability — all with teachers who care about your student’s success.
If you have any questions at any time during the course, the staff at Homeschool Connections is ready to help. Call the toll-free number or contact us.
Are there assignments, and are the assignments graded (with feedback)?
Yes! All courses, unless otherwise noted (e.g. summer and holiday book clubs), have assignments to show student learning. Assignments are graded with feedback, and parents have access to the student’s grade book found in the student’s profile. Depending on the course and instructor, assignments will vary and may include automated quizzes (graded by the computer), semester-long projects, research papers, short essays, and a variety of other assessments.
To keep track of grades within transcripts, you can find example transcripts and tracking pages on the free resources page.
How much does each course cost?
Course costs vary depending on the length of the course and the amount of assignments that the instructor grades. In general, shorter courses and middle school courses are less than the longer and more advanced high school courses. Likewise, first-year high school courses are often less than the senior-level, pre-college courses. As a general rule, the cost for each course is $200. Some will be slightly more and some will be slightly less.
You can save $20 on each course by registering before the Early Enrollment Deadline: by July 15 (for Fall courses); by November 15 (for Spring courses); and by April 15 (for Summer courses).
Visit the Course Catalog to see exact prices for each course.
Do the courses have textbooks or materials to buy?
In courses with textbooks and materials, costs depend on the course, and in some courses, materials are provided free. Families can get books and materials from any preferred source, purchased or free (e.g. literature courses can be borrowed from the public library).
To see and purchase textbooks and materials, families can also use the direct links provided in each course description.
To see if a course has textbook and materials to purchase, visit the Live Course Catalog, or to the course’s registration page.
Can two students in a family take the same LIVE course?
Yes! To make learning easy, students in your family can take a single LIVE course together. However, to fully participate in the course (engage in the class chat, get grades, and receive assignment feedback), simply enroll both students.
Most parents will then use two computers to have the students view the LIVE course. A double/multiple headphone jack on a single computer allows more than one student to easily watch a course together. If you have more questions on multiple students in a course, simply email or call.
What if my student has to miss a class?
All classes are recorded and available within 24 hours of the LIVE class — so your student can easily watch the recording. If your student knows that he or she is going to miss a class because of a medical appointment, competitive sporting event, or other school-related event — no problem! Simply email the instructor before the class to let him/her know you’ll be gone, watch the video within 48 hours, and be sure to email the instructor with any questions before completing the assignment(s).
I’m having difficulty choosing the right course. Can you help?
To help decide courses for your student, here’s a sample Scope & Sequence document showing how the courses here “fit” (what a typical student takes during the middle and high school years). You can also get more resources and help here, or contact us for specific one-on-one help with decision making. We’re happy to help you get what you need.
Can I take LIVE courses and Unlimited Access recorded courses at the same time?
Absolutely — and many students do!
What’s the benefit of taking a LIVE course over a recorded course?
LIVE courses give your student a solid weekly schedule — where he or she “shows up” to the class and has regular assignments due at regular intervals. In contrast, Unlimited Access recorded courses give your student a little more flexibility: your student can take more time on an idea or assignment, or move ahead and finish a course more quickly.
LIVE course students also interact with other students in the class beforehand — and students may develop friendships together. If an interactive classroom and weekly accountability is what you and your student prefer, then LIVE courses are for you.
What if my co-op wants to participate in live, interactive online courses?
Please contact us at info@homeschoolconnections.com or call us at 888-372-4757 and we can discuss your particular needs.
Do I need to sign up for the Part Two course if I signed up for Part One?
Yes! Please register for the Part Two since we regard each section of an entire course as a separate registration. And it’s best to sign up during our early enrollment period which is on or before July 15th (for Fall courses) November 15th (for Spring courses), or April 15th (for Summer courses).
What parents are saying about LIVE Courses:
“Screamed with joy”
Parent: “Well, he just screamed with joy in the kitchen….so I think that answers your question:-) THANK YOU!” ~ Mom’s report of son after learning he is now enrolled in Mr. Gary Michuta’s Apologetics course
“Solid Catholic Education”
Parent: “So thankful for Homeschool Connections! Both of my kids were absolutely thrilled with their new classes/teachers in their live classes. So blessed! Thank you for all that you do and for uniting good people. I’m very thankful that we’re able to provide a solid, Catholic education for our children. God bless!”