PACE system / A.C.E. (Accelerated Christian Education)

[morovich]

I grew up on this system from elementary thru middle school. I feel that it was TREMENDOUS. I did it within the context of a Christian school, but the program could easily be used within a homeschooling situation. Any negatives anyone has experienced doing this or any pros/cons on the PACE system in anyone else's experiences?

P.S. If you no who Hapford Humblen is, please PM me... hahaha

[Wally]

DBW graduated on the PACE system.
DD1, DD2, DS did PACE in the primary years.

We found Abeka and Bob Jones more suitable in the JR High - HS years.

[Stacey]

I did the ACE program at this little private Christian school from kindergarten to 6th grade. I loved it. If I could afford the supplies I would homeschool my girls with it but I would also need the patience for that too. Lol. But I thought it was awesome. The biggest drawback I had was when I went from there to public school I was behind in math. But I can't totally blame it on the books I'm horrible at math anyway. Althogh thinking about it I wonder how much it would be for the just the math books to help my daughter out. She might learn better that way.
Anyway sorry so winded. I enjoyed it a lot. In fact I missed it after the school closed.

[booklover]

My kids are in a small Christian school which uses ACE. We're in our 2nd year now. They've done Christian school with A Beka and Bob Jones, Classical Christian school with a lot of Veritas material, and homeschooling with eclectic materials. This curriculum is easy for them to do on their own. We tested to get into the level they needed (my son had some grammar he needed to catch up on). I don't have to help them very much. I think the program works best if adults supplement with fun learning activities like labs, music or art classes, etc. I also think it can be challenging for kids who don't work well on their own.

To me, the great thing with ACE is their regional and international conventions. My kids went to both last year, and they are really iron sharpening iron events. There is an opportunity with ACE to use the workbooks for the basics, and then pursue an area of interest (writing, academic contest--PACE bowl, Bible bowl, art, music, drama, athletics, etc., etc.) We plan on homeschooling next year, and will probably continue with ACE, which will be good for continuity.

[Lynn]

One of our now grown sons used the PACE system/A.C.E. and in his case, it turned out great. When we moved from the Christian school in TX (where this curriculum was used), our sons attended public school. Our son, who had been in the PACE system at the prior location, needed very few credits to graduate, based on testing, and he grad from HS at the age of 16.
If a child is highly motivated and enjoys the PACE system as our son did, they can do very well with it. I don't think it would work well for a student who doesn't like to work by themselves in programmed skill books.

[DELIVERED]

I went to a Christian School. Kindergarden - 3rd grade we had regular classes with a teacher for each class. From 4th grade - 12th grade we had ACE with paces. I hated ACE and paces. It was a small school and we had a dedicated teacher. We memorized lots of scripture and did pledges and had devotion every morning. We had chapel every wednesday and got out of school early so we could go to Church that night. We had Bible class every day and I learned more Bible than English. I wore a red, white and blue uniform every day of my school life. I hate red, white and blue together and will not wear it together now. ACE was boring to me and now I look back and see how easy it was and wish I had applied myself more. I wouldn't trade it for all the education in the world because I learned so much more that has helped me along my journey. I sent my son to a Christian School but I didn't want ACE because it's to easy to slack. The school he went to used Abeka and he learned alot it was great. I used Abeka videos to home school him for a couple years and he was up with his class when he went back. The thing I didn't like about his school was they didn't spend enough time on the Bible and was not required to learn their scripture they just got a bad grade in Bible. My requirement to him was you are going to learn it. I don't mean to sound negative it just took a few years for me to appreciate it and thank my parents for the best gift they could have ever given me. When my son fusses about all he missed out on by not going to a public school I tell him one day you will appreciate it and be thankful.

[morovich]

Thanks for the feedback all. Yeah, my wife is not the "teacher" sort and my son is a very knowledge driven lad, my daughter, a little more crazy and flighty. I feel that it might work well because it really moves the parent to more of a supervisor rather than a teacher, and the kids can go as far and as fast as they want- which i think is awesome! (except for math pace 1048 I think which still causes me great grief to this day). PLus she can hook up with other HS groups in our area and do field trips and stuff. Anyone know how much cost we might be looking at for a 1st grader and 2nd grader? Or if we wait- a 3rd and 4th?