How much of my time is this going to take? My life is already overloaded and I don’t feel I have time for a training course.

-Homeschooling is a big commitment. The purpose of this course is to spread the load of planning so you can do a little at a time and complete a full curriculum plan in far less time than you already do. The course videos are brief, the instructions clear, and the result is that you will spend far less time than you ever have before in researching, shopping, choosing, comparing, and getting answers to questions appropriate to your particular students.

What do you mean by “authentic?” 

-We believe Charlotte Mason herself had the best understanding of the method she proposed and taught. We follow her goals of education. ADE has investigated these thoroughly and model all of our approach on what she said and how she did things, not an approximation or compromise with her underlying principles. We always seek to point back to her principles and process. But, this does not mean we replicate what she did. Her method is living, and we feel strongly that the resources should fit the child’s own context, and our cultural moment. 

I really love some of the materials I have used in the past. Will I be able to fit those into my plan, even if you don’t recommend those programs?

-Naturally, you are in charge. We offer as broad a range of choices as we can, but recommend only those that meet Miss Mason’s standards. We cannot guarantee positive results if you use programs that conflict with her method. Her curriculum was meant to be practiced as a whole, was cohesive, and each part enhances all the other subjects. Through the training given in the Cohort, you will be equipped to evaluate every book and resource to see if it fits into your plan or not.

If I have done many consults in the past, how will he ADE Curriculum Cohort provide the personal assistance I am used to?

-The ADE Cohort will coach you through all the steps we have followed in phone calls and designing your plan in the past. We will provide all the usual tips and reminders you always receive and are accustomed to, and you will still have the ability to ask anything you need in the biweekly Live Coaching Sessions. Beyond this, you will have the immediate support of the online ADE Community. 

Will this course not demand more of my time than a one-hour phone consultation?

-The advantage is being able to take in the information at your own convenience. You may spend more time filling in the curriculum plan and choosing books, but will absolutely save much more time once you have put it together because you will not need to review the plan and understand our choices or find further information for how to use the resources you have decided upon. You can also fit this process into your life rather than into our solidly booked schedule.

Will it still be possible to get a phone consultation with Liz?

-Yes. Liz’s time for this will be limited, the appointments less numerous, but you are absolutely welcome to get an appointment and have a plan provided for you as the outcome of that call, if that is your desire, or to speak with her on any homeschool related issue you want even without a plan being provided.

Will I have access to the content of the course after the 12 weeks conclude?

-You will have all the material available to you throughout the succeeding school year.

Can I sign up for the May class later on?

-You can sign up at any time, but April 1 is the last chance to participate this year.

I am not tech savvy and hate automated systems. How navigable will this be for someone like me?

-We have chosen a very user friendly platform. The ADE Community will be available for in-person connection and help. There is tech support available if you get stuck. Our Course videos will walk you through all of the details visually, so you will know exactly how to fill out your plan and where to access resources. 

I am not great at following directions and learn best from in person and hands-on instruction. Will this program work for me?

-It will probably suit you better than the verbal and written instructions we have offered in the past as you will watch us explaining what you need to know, and you will be able to ask questions in-person during the Live Coaching Calls every other week during the course.

I am worried that I will not be able to attend the Live Coaching Calls. Will this hinder me in putting your teaching into practice?

-If you are unable to attend the Live Coaching Calls, they will be recorded and you can watch them at your convenience.

I have never taught the Charlotte Mason way and know very little about it. Will this program help a newbie like me?

-Absolutely! Welcome! The ADE Curriculum Cohort is a step-by-step, little-by-little, introduction of all you need to know and was designed for you in mind, as well as experienced CM educators. Additionally, the ADE Community aspect will be very nurturing and supportive in answering your questions.

I have been using Charlotte Mason’s methods for years and am very well-versed in her ideas. I only seek guidance to help finding the best books. Do I have to participate in all you offer?

-You can use as much or as little of our resources as you wish. We are confident that the book lists we provide will be worth far more than your investment in the course. 

I really need a lot of hand-holding and am very uncertain of my abilities. Is a DIY course a bad choice?

-The course is designed to hold your hand as much as you need. The Live Coaching Calls will address your areas of insecurity and clear up confusion for you.

I have children with reading deficiencies and am spread too thin in assisting them with all their lessons. How will the ADE Curriculum Cohort address their (and my) special needs?

-We have helped hundreds of families with children with special needs, and have taught children with extreme reading struggles ourselves. You will have our best suggestions for combining students, choosing appropriate books, and encouraging children who lack the mechanical skills necessary at their form level. We will address these concerns in every single subject.

Even with your curated book lists, how will I know how to choose the best books for each subject?

Subject by subject, we will explain how to choose the books, and we will point out all the necessary books and you can be confident in any of the others on our lists.

My children have not had any Charlotte Mason education and are not used to narration and other practices. Is this program appropriate for them?

-Every year we help families integrate their children into Miss Mason’s curriculum who have never experienced reading books for school, narration, or other aspects of her method. We will address these needs throughout the course.

I have many children in all different grades and with many different abilities. How will this Cohort help me sort out all they each need and still do morning lessons only?

-This Cohort is especially designed with these concerns in mind. We have over 20 years’ experience in combining children where possible and making appropriate book suggestions for many different homeschool scenarios.

My children hate to read and I do not read myself. Is it a mistake to choose a literature-based method and will the reading be out of reach or beyond our ability?

-The short answer is, Miss Mason’s method has worked with children who have no reading background at all. This program is based on her approach, and the reading is far less than most popular Charlotte Mason curriculum programs prescribe, but follows her suggestions for amounts of reading. The book lists will help you choose books based on your students’ reading abilities.

I am great at the planning and purchasing for school, but fail to follow through and actually achieve what I intend. Will this course work for someone like me, or help me achieve different results?

-There are many reasons for losing steam. This course will help set you on a path that is actually possible and the ADE Community will encourage you when you are faltering.

Will I have to go through this Cohort every single year, or is it a one-time investment?

-The ADE Curriculum Cohort  is designed to help you take the subsequent steps necessary for the coming school year. Each year you will need to re-enroll into the next appropriate track to follow for your children’s needs to continue their education.

How much more money will I be spending purchasing books and resources beyond this training course?

-This naturally depends on the number of appropriate books and materials you already own and the number of children that you have. Our experience is that even after paying for a plan, purchasing the resources is still less expensive than most programs now available. It is also possible to spread many purchases over the course of the school year. We always suggest you evaluate the cost of private school options for comparison to reassure yourself that you are making a wise financial choice. That said, there is no child who does not deserve the very best books money can buy. Digital books and public libraries can also supplement your savings.

What is the purpose of abandoning your previous approach to offering consultations and following this new one?

-The old way was unsustainable long-term. We desire to continue to help moms for generations, not just short-term. In addition, our availability is limited and this will expand the number of families who can receive our personal attention.

What if I do not finish the course? Will I be stranded?

-This is always a possibility with any program you select. The material will be available to you for over a year, so even if interrupted, you can always return and regroup.

Is this course adaptable to our family which operates on a different school year calendar than most people?

-Absolutely. You decide when your terms begin and the Cohort will not interfere with your schedule. Choose from either the Winter/Spring or Spring/Summer Cohorts, whichever best accommodates your school calendar.

My husband and I share the teaching. Will your course help us sort out how to balance our children’s education?

-Our organizational tips and scheduling advice will suit your family’s individual needs.

I have used your curriculum templates for years. Is this course redundant and unnecessary for a DIY mom like me?

-We have designed this course to provide instruction for the experienced and inexperienced alike. This is not just an outline of what is needed, but full of practical advice on each subject and unlike our templates will provide an array of living book titles you likely have never known existed.

What if this is just way more material than I can manage?

-We have made each teaching as brief as possible while including all the necessary information. Your children are worth the work, and we have designed this program to ultimately save you a lot of time.

I am interested in using the Charlotte Mason method, but my children are not yet ready for school. Should I wait, or will this course help prepare me?

-We believe it is never too early to begin educating yourself. We recommend you follow the course for one student in the first year and begin learning about preparing for the first year, as well as join in the ADE Community discussion to ask all your questions and learn what to expect in the future.

I cannot afford this expense at this time. When will you make this offer again?

-We recommend you keep alert to announcements about the next enrollment, but this year’s course will be enrolling families through April 1. After that date, we won’t open another Cohort until December 1.

Is the ADE Curriculum Cohort appropriate if we are educating our family outside the United States?

-You will certainly be able to glean valuable information on how to teach and how to choose books for every subject in Charlotte Mason’s broad feast, but book lists will only be provided for English-speaking families who study American, British, Canadian, or Australian history.

I love many of the ADE resources sold on your site. Will these still need to be purchased separately if I sign up for the ADE Curriculum Cohort? 

-You will still need to purchase main lesson curriculum (Geography, Reading, Grammar, etc.) appropriate for your children’s next school year, but the Cohort will include many teaching aids that are currently for sale or not yet available on the site, included in the enrollment price.