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Time4Learning homeschool review
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A flexible, secular online curriculum with multimedia lessons and automated grading.
The main draws of Time4Learning’s homeschool curriculum are its affordability and flexibility — it runs as little as $19.99 per month and you get access to lessons one grade above and below your child’s current grade level. But as the parent, you’re responsible for ensuring the curriculum meets your state’s homeschool standards. And it doesn’t offer official transcripts or diplomas — that’s on the parent to create and submit.
Details
| Product Name | Time4Learning |
|---|---|
| Type of school | Online homeschool curriculum |
| Grade levels | PreK–12 |
| Accredited | No |
| Open enrollment | Yes |
| Tuition and fees | Starting at $19.95 per month |
How does Time4Learning work?
Time4Learning is a secular online homeschool curriculum that correlates with most state standards. The program uses animated lessons, instructional videos and printable worksheets across all core subjects.
As a parent, you’ll play a significant role in planning your child’s learning schedule. You decide how long your child’s school year is, as well as the number of school days per week. Then, you manage lesson plans and assign daily activities and assignments according to this schedule. Since there are no live teachers, it’s up to you to answer questions and help your child navigate the program.
You can also conveniently monitor your child’s progress and generate reports in the parent portal. The platform automatically tracks the amount of time your child spends on their lessons, which can be used for state attendance reporting. You’re also responsible for ensuring your child’s homeschool program meets state standards, including participation in standardized testing.
Who is responsible for grading my child’s work?
The curriculum automatically grades your child’s work, quizzes and exams. You can view the reports on the Parent Administration page.
How much computer time is involved?
The entire curriculum is delivered online, so you should expect extensive computer time. But Time4Learning also supplements its animated lessons with printable worksheets to reinforce learning activities. Every lesson will have the option to switch up the learning experience from the computer to tactile writing, but you’ll need a printer, pencil and paper.
Types of courses and electives offered
Each grade has four core subjects. High school students can add electives to explore new topics or delve deeper into existing study areas. Here’s how it breaks down:
- Language arts
- Math
- Science
- Social studies
- 14 high school electives, including economics and personal finance
- Three premium electives — including foreign language — for an additional fee
Is there a curriculum for children with special needs?
Time4Learning is approved by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) as a certified autism resource and can help students with special needs, such as dyslexia, ADHD and other learning disabilities.
This online homeschool platform allows students to move at their own pace, repeat lessons and do extra practice. They also have access to content one level above and below their grade level. And its multisensory activities help keep students engaged and cater to a wide variety of learners.
Is Time4Learning accredited?
No, Time4Learning is not accredited. Since it is a curriculum rather than a school, accreditation does not apply.
What we like about Time4Learning
The Time4Learning homeschooling curriculum has some unique features:
- Age-appropriate educational games. Its virtual, educational playground helps reinforce concepts through fun, interactive games and activities.
- No contract. Start, stop or suspend your monthly membership at any time.
- Online social network for high school students. Teens can socialize with their fellow Time4Learning homeschoolers on its exclusive social media network, similar to Facebook.
- Access lessons for multiple grade levels. Elementary school students can view material one grade level above and below their current level. Middle and high school students can change courses at any time.
What we don't like about Time4Learning
Here are a few drawbacks to consider before signing up:
- Parents are responsible for meeting state standards. The homeschool parent is the “teacher of record.” It’s your responsibility to make sure that the curriculum fulfills your state’s requirements.
- DIY transcript and diploma. When your high schooler is gearing up for college, you’ll need to make your own transcript and diploma to submit. Although Time4Learning tracks how much time your child spends on online lessons, it doesn’t assign course credits. And you’ll need to confirm with your state’s Department of Education that your child meets high school graduation guidelines before issuing a diploma.
- Limited elementary science courses. The science classes for grades 1 through 5 are not animated and do not correlate to all state standards. You’ll need to supplement your science curriculum to make sure it satisfies your local requirements.
Compare other K-12 online schools
How much does Time4Learning cost?
For grades PreK through 8, Time4Learning costs $19.95 per month. High school membership runs $30 monthly for four courses. You can add extra courses for $5 per month for each class.
Discounts available
Each additional student in PreK through eighth grade costs $14.95 monthly. Unfortunately, there is no discount for a second high school student.
What is the cancellation or refund policy?
New members have a 14-day money-back guarantee. You can also start, stop and pause your membership at any time.
Will lessons require additional supplies I need to buy?
You don’t need anything else besides a computer with an Internet connection. But if you plan on using worksheets, you’ll need basic supplies, including a printer, pens, pencils and paper.
Your child may also have hands-on math and science activities as part of their curriculum. You can preview the lesson plans to see if you’ll need any additional materials for that lesson. Most materials can be found around the house, such as craft sticks, butter and sugar, but you’ll need to do a bit of planning before your child’s school day.
Time4Learning reviews: What parents and students say
As of September 2020, Time4Learning earns 4.6 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, based on over 1,800 reviews. It also has an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau, with mostly positive customer reviews.
Parents appreciate that their child can freely move up or down a grade depending on whether they’re stronger or weaker in a subject area. Users also comment that the curriculum has competitive pricing compared to other homeschooling options.
The majority of complaints center around the automated grading system — with answers being marked incorrect simply because they were written in a slightly different format than the answer key. And some high school students found that the animations were too cheesy for their taste.
How do I buy the Time4Learning homeschool curriculum?
Here’s how to sign up to access Time4Learning’s online curriculum:
- Go to the Time4Learning website and click Sign up on the top right corner of the homepage.
- Choose the number of students you’re registering and create an account.
- Input your billing information.
- Create a student login and enter your child’s information.
- Select how you intend to use the curriculum, such as a primary homeschool curriculum or a supplemental homeschool program.
- Add premium electives for a fee or click Exit.
Bottom line
Time4Learning is a competitively priced online homeschool curriculum that allows parents to maintain a flexible school schedule. A standout feature is that you can adjust the grade level if your child finds a subject too easy or too hard.
But you might want to take a look at a few other online homeschooling curriculums if you’re registering a high school student who might not jive with its cheesy animations.
