How do I enroll for high school courses?

While many of our students enter our high school program directly from our own early grades curriculum, many more come to Tree of Life for the first time in high school. To properly place them and to understand more fully their strengths and weaknesses, we ask that students send us a completed Family Profile Questionnaire, a Math placement test (if required), a recent writing sample, and any other documentation that may be helpful in recommending courses. Final selection of courses is made following a telephone conference before the beginning of each school year.

Do you offer a diploma and/or other documentation?

Yes. Students receive written documentation for every course completed through our school and, upon successful completion of the required credits, are granted a Tree of Life diploma. To qualify for a diploma it is recommended that students complete 28 courses with a minimum from each of the following categories: four courses from the English group; three from each of the Math, History, Science and Language, Bible/Worldview and Logic/Rhetoric groups; two from the Electives group; plus four of any other courses. This arrangement allows for a broad based educational experience that remains true to the classical approach.

What have your past students done upon graduation?

Because our enrollees extend nation wide, we have students who have explored almost every possible avenue after their secondary home education experience. They have entered university, college, apprenticeship programs, the workplace, or continued their education at home using other distance education courses. The vast majority of these students say that their Tree of Life diploma was certainly beneficial in helping them gain entrance to post-secondary education, but we still recommend that parents and students keep a well developed portfolio that documents anything that can be considered part of the educational process. This should include extra-curricular activities, work experience, volunteer service, certificates, letters of recommendation, standardised test scores, etc. It is also a good idea to open lines of communication with potential schools or work places two years prior to graduation in order to ascertain the best way for you to meet their requirements for entry without sacrificing your home school experience.

Can I enroll in individual courses?

Yes, many of our students are actually part-time enrollees. They find that some of our courses compliment their present course load very well. Others seek feedback in particular areas from a third party source to make sure students are on the right track.

Do you give credit for coursework or other experiences done apart from Tree of Life School?

Yes, credits completed from other institutions may be transferable and, quite often, other activities in which students are involved can be documented and counted for credit. Please provide us with evidence of course completion and a basic outline as to the nature of the content as well as the signature of the supervising educator.

How is the monitoring done?

Courses are evaluated in a number of ways. Normally students will write tests under the supervision of a parent or other adult and send these to us along with any other written work. This is usually done via the mail service but might be accomplished through e-mail or fax. This work is then evaluated by our staff and returned complete with numerical marks and comments where applicable.

What about your Great Ideas studies?

In 2003 we launched our Study of the Great Ideas through the Great Books. This is an intensive look at the ideas of God, Man, Truth, Lies, Good, Evil, Beauty, and Ethics offered over four years. Of special note here is that each level of the Great Ideas counts toward three Tree of Life credits (English, Bible, History). We suggest that students still take a Math, Science, Logic, and Language course each year for a comprehensive educational experience. For more information go here.

How do I make payment?

Payment can be made by cheque, money order, or credit card. (Visa and Mastercard). We require that all materials be paid prior to shipping but tuition costs can be spread over three payments. Make sure you ask to have a payment plan.