Independent Education Program

Independent Education Program (IEProgram) has earned a reputation among homeschooling families as a valuable resource for middle and high school students, particularly in subjects that are challenging to teach at home. Here's what parents are saying about this hybrid program:

The Good: Why Parents Choose IEProgram

Parents consistently praise IEProgram for filling a critical gap in homeschool options for teenagers, especially in advanced or specialized subjects:

"Their curriculum includes [IEProgram]… It has given them a love of learning and allowed them to really excel in their individual areas of talent, and get help in the places that they struggle most." Homeschool parent via HaiTechMama

Many families appreciate that IEProgram offers rigorous academic content while maintaining the flexibility homeschoolers value. The ability to select individual courses rather than committing to an entire curriculum is frequently mentioned as a significant advantage.

The quality of instruction receives high marks from parents, who note that teachers bring both expertise and enthusiasm to their subjects. This is particularly evident in the program's original flagship course:

"He loved it even more than his older brother despite being VERY skeptical at first." Parent describing her son's experience with Speech & Debate

The social aspect of IEProgram is another major selling point. Parents report that their teens benefit greatly from learning alongside peers who share their interests. One parent shared in an online forum that "IEProgram gave my son a tribe of like-minded peers who motivate each other. He actually wants to do his homework so he can contribute in class – that's priceless!"

For families seeking enrichment beyond academics, IEProgram's extracurricular activities provide valuable opportunities that can be difficult to arrange independently. Debate tournaments, robotics competitions, moot court contests, and social events help students develop confidence and leadership skills in a supportive environment.

The Challenges: What Parents Consider

While feedback is overwhelmingly positive, parents do note certain limitations to consider when evaluating IEProgram:

The program offers excellent courses in specific subjects but doesn't provide a complete curriculum. Most families use IEProgram as one component of a broader educational plan. For instance, one parent documented supplementing IEProgram's Speech & Debate and Robotics with separate curricula for history, science, foreign language, and math.

Time commitment is another consideration. While classes typically meet only once per week, additional activities can demand significant time. The Speech & Debate program, for example, requires participation in several all-day Saturday tournaments throughout the year. For families with multiple children or weekend obligations, this schedule can be challenging to manage.

The program's community-based model relies on parent volunteers, which some families find demanding:

"To help keep costs low, beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, each student/family will be required to provide a volunteer during the year." IEProgram Registration Page

Full-time working parents or those with younger children sometimes struggle to fulfill these obligations, which can include judging at tournaments or chaperoning events.

Since IEProgram is not an accredited school, families seeking official transcripts must take additional steps. While the program facilitates credit through partner schools, this requires extra paperwork and sometimes additional fees. Parents who are new to homeschooling high school may find this aspect challenging to navigate.

Who Thrives with IEProgram?

Based on parent feedback, IEProgram works particularly well for:

• Teens who need more academic challenge than their parents can provide alone
• Students who learn best through discussion and peer interaction
• Families seeking structure and accountability without sacrificing homeschool flexibility
• Teens interested in subjects like debate, public speaking, constitutional studies, or robotics
• Homeschoolers who want to develop competitive academic skills

Families may want to explore other options if:

• They need a complete, all-in-one curriculum package
• Their schedule doesn't allow for weekend tournaments or events
• Parents are unable to volunteer due to work or other commitments
• They're seeking primarily STEM courses (though the program is expanding in this area)

The Bottom Line

Most parents who use IEProgram consider any challenges worthwhile trade-offs for the quality education and unique opportunities their teens receive. As one parent summarized: "It requires more from us as parents, but the payoff in my kids' growth and excitement is absolutely worth it."

For homeschooling families seeking rigorous, engaging courses for their teens—or looking to supplement traditional schooling with enrichment—IEProgram offers a compelling option that blends the best of homeschooling flexibility with the support and community of a structured program.