You are not the first person to ask...
Today it seems like there are a great many 'online' classes available on nearly every subject but beware! "Online course" can refer to anything from a freeform, unstructured email correspondence class; to a series of online self-tutorials, to a Skype session. Some programs even charge extra for a synchronous online class.
When comparing our courses to others, consider The Lukeion Project difference. All of our courses include:
When comparing our courses to others, consider The Lukeion Project difference. All of our courses include:
- Live online instruction (not a chat room nor a recording though those are available in addition to live sessions).
- Organized, well-paced, action-packed one hour sessions help challenge and keep students on track.
- Challenging semester courses are fully graded by instructors.
- Beautifully illustrated with extensive proprietary collection of images from throughout the Classical world (not a talking head video of the instructor either).
- Instructors maintain full control of each session for the optimal learning environment.
- Classes are well annotated (a great way to develop note-taking skills and a real boost for the visual learner).
- Courses are packed with extra learning tools: practice games, links, primary sources, helpful handouts, and much more.
Can I use my mac or pc to join the live sessions?
All operating systems work in our online classroom. Windows, Mac, Linux--we are cross-platform plus tablets or smartphones now work as well. Your computer will install a little bit of software when you first join our classes. Allow an extra five minutes prior to the start of the first session you attend to allow your computer to load the essential software. Some public computers (at libraries or public schools, for example) will not allow Adobe Connect to install its software without admin permission so it is a good idea to speak to your local knowledgeable information technology staff to allow you to install this software snippet on a public computer.
Do I need a web cam or microphone to attend?
Though our online classroom is equipped for two-way voice (VoIP) and live video, we find that there are too many distractions if we turn on all the bells and whistles. We tried the cameras once and (no joke) one of our lively gifted kids pulled out puppets during a discussion about the Iliad. Try to out-compete that! Anyhew...students only need to have computer speakers or a microphone headset to hear the instructor's voice for most classes unless otherwise noted by your instructor. Students will communicate during class through a chat function that may be visible to other students or possibly hidden, at the instructor's discretion. Upper level classes will use microphones when needed and as described in the course description.
can i view a sample class?
Yes, just ask. We will provide a link to view one of our most recent classes as a sample of a typical day here at The Lukeion Project with one of our instructors.
Why do you Mostly only teach the Classical world?
There are currently a number of online education providers (though we are certainly among the oldest, founded in 2005) who seek to cover all the subjects with dozens of classes by as many instructors. Our courses are taught only by instructors who are experts in their field and have, at a minimum, a master's degree in the field they teach. Rather than create classes and scramble for teachers to teach them, we offer only subjects in which our specialists are enthusiastically expert and have all taught at the college level. An added benefit is that all of our semester courses are college preparatory.
Is The Lukeion Project Accredited?
No and for very good reasons that may amount to the answer "heck no." Why?
Accreditation at the high school level is different than accreditation at the college level. There is no approved list of accrediting institutions at the secondary level for non-public schools. Instead, look at what really matters for our type of program: "If your child completes a high school-level text by a reputable publisher in an academic course (math, science, English, foreign language, or history), consider the material covered to be one credit. A one credit course typically requires one school year to complete" (HSLDA).
The term "accredited" at the high school level simply indicates an affiliation between a private institution and an accrediting post secondary institution. Such an affiliation comes at quite a cost. First, the financial cost. While many institutions are willing to pay this for a single state accreditation because their clientele is mainly local, we have students from 6 continents (not one state). Being accredited by the whole world would make our courses significantly more expensive for zero qualitative improvements. In fact, the quality of our programs would be greatly diminished. Being forced to affiliate with an educational governing body would establish what and how we can--and can't teach. This would drastically influence what subjects we are "allowed" to teach, how we can teach (and at what pace), and the age of the youths that can enjoy our programs (this impacts the very under-served gifted community in many ways).
If you are interested in taking our courses but are completing a program offered by a public or private institution, or some other umbrella institution, we will be happy to speak the principal or registrar of that institution or provide syllabi and samples to those persons. The credentials of all our instructors have been by accepted by a wide variety of both public and private institutions "for credit." A great many Lukeion students go on to take top placements and scholarships at college programs of their choice. Please check with your institution! We are happy to work with them to help you take our courses. Many students apply for a "study hall" and are able to complete the course as part of their normal program. We can also discuss options for earning college credit for some of our other courses like Latin and our AP classes.
Unfortunately, more than a few states and nations are openly hostile to offering schooling choices. If you do not home educate, we will offer our suggestions and help if possible, but we will also strongly suggest you consider making the change to home education, a situation in which you are not limited so drastically to the type and quality of education you or your student desires and deserves.
Accreditation at the high school level is different than accreditation at the college level. There is no approved list of accrediting institutions at the secondary level for non-public schools. Instead, look at what really matters for our type of program: "If your child completes a high school-level text by a reputable publisher in an academic course (math, science, English, foreign language, or history), consider the material covered to be one credit. A one credit course typically requires one school year to complete" (HSLDA).
The term "accredited" at the high school level simply indicates an affiliation between a private institution and an accrediting post secondary institution. Such an affiliation comes at quite a cost. First, the financial cost. While many institutions are willing to pay this for a single state accreditation because their clientele is mainly local, we have students from 6 continents (not one state). Being accredited by the whole world would make our courses significantly more expensive for zero qualitative improvements. In fact, the quality of our programs would be greatly diminished. Being forced to affiliate with an educational governing body would establish what and how we can--and can't teach. This would drastically influence what subjects we are "allowed" to teach, how we can teach (and at what pace), and the age of the youths that can enjoy our programs (this impacts the very under-served gifted community in many ways).
If you are interested in taking our courses but are completing a program offered by a public or private institution, or some other umbrella institution, we will be happy to speak the principal or registrar of that institution or provide syllabi and samples to those persons. The credentials of all our instructors have been by accepted by a wide variety of both public and private institutions "for credit." A great many Lukeion students go on to take top placements and scholarships at college programs of their choice. Please check with your institution! We are happy to work with them to help you take our courses. Many students apply for a "study hall" and are able to complete the course as part of their normal program. We can also discuss options for earning college credit for some of our other courses like Latin and our AP classes.
Unfortunately, more than a few states and nations are openly hostile to offering schooling choices. If you do not home educate, we will offer our suggestions and help if possible, but we will also strongly suggest you consider making the change to home education, a situation in which you are not limited so drastically to the type and quality of education you or your student desires and deserves.
You have a weird name and a sassy logo. What does "Lukeion" even mean?
The philosopher Aristotle founded a school near Athens and called it the Lukeion or (as you may have heard it in English today) the Lyceum. Aristotle's school was one of the first universities in history. Students and teachers didn't sit in a classroom but walked around examining the world from all viewpoints both near and far. They were called the peripatetics ('walk-bouts') because they never stayed put. Aristotle fostered a zeal for the study of all disciplines in the ancient world while on the move.
We chose our name based on the original Lukeion--a mobile, flexible, cutting edge, and passionate about the ancient world. The term "Lukeion" is still used in modern Greece today. It means "high school." So, we created the unique project to teach college level material at the high school level. We are The Lukeion Project. Our logo is one very sassy peripatetic Athena owl, representing a bit of wisdom, too.
We chose our name based on the original Lukeion--a mobile, flexible, cutting edge, and passionate about the ancient world. The term "Lukeion" is still used in modern Greece today. It means "high school." So, we created the unique project to teach college level material at the high school level. We are The Lukeion Project. Our logo is one very sassy peripatetic Athena owl, representing a bit of wisdom, too.
How long has The Lukeion Project been around?
While all of us who teach with The Lukeion Project were archaeologists and/or educators for a long time, it was not until December, 2005, that we launched The Lukeion Project. In terms of online education that makes us VERY OLD veterans. Many well-funded online schools talked to us before they launched because very few of us were educating online in 2005. That makes us quite the groundbreakers (we used to have to explain to people what a "webinar" was and how it was possible to have a class online).
My student has a few special needs. Will these classes work?
Our courses not only cater to auditory and visual learners (your student has a front row seat in a fully illustrated, interactive lecture) but our online reinforcement with quizzes and games will allow your kinesthetic learners get the most from the material as well. All major universities and colleges are implementing live online classes because students of the technological age prefer them over almost all other types of learning experiences. All that being said, we have a good time in class. We aren't afraid to use a bit of humor if it means students will remember the material better. Our combination of speaking, vivid illustrations, written text, and diminished distractions suit many learning styles and learning challenges. If you have strong concerns, request a sample or register for a summer workshop before signing up for a full semester class. We have successfully worked with a wide variety of learning challenges before.
What Age Group is best for your classes?
We know that individuals are driven by interest sometimes ahead of skill. That is why our workshops are excellent for just about everyone ages 10 through adult. Quizzes are optional and in-class review polls are just plain fun (our own children fight over who gets to take them). We have had gifted children as young as second grade attend our workshops with a parent, as well as retirement age 'arm chair archaeologists'--plus everyone in between).
In most cases, we ask that our semester-long classes be attended only by those functioning at the high school level (not necessarily high school age). There are challenging classes which require a weekly and even daily work commitment. We welcome gifted and profoundly gifted students who are certainly going to be ready at a younger age. We are happy to discuss good placement for your learner at any age. Just ask. Semester courses designed for the slightly younger student have been described as such in our class descriptions.
If you want your younger student to hear the material but not participate in the class through tests and papers, please consider the option of auditing the course. Sorry, language classes can't be audited.
In most cases, we ask that our semester-long classes be attended only by those functioning at the high school level (not necessarily high school age). There are challenging classes which require a weekly and even daily work commitment. We welcome gifted and profoundly gifted students who are certainly going to be ready at a younger age. We are happy to discuss good placement for your learner at any age. Just ask. Semester courses designed for the slightly younger student have been described as such in our class descriptions.
If you want your younger student to hear the material but not participate in the class through tests and papers, please consider the option of auditing the course. Sorry, language classes can't be audited.
What happens if I miss a class?
We normally make full recordings of our classes (audio and visuals). Recordings are normally available until the last day of the semester as marked in the class syllabus. We offer these recordings as a courtesy, only. In some circumstances we are unable to generate a recording. Failure to view a recording, for any reason, is not grounds for an extension on assignments. That said, recordings are nearly always available both for those who were absent and for those who prefer a second review.
Is my child ready for Latin or Greek?
Latin and ancient Greek are challenging languages for a number of reasons. Unlike modern spoken languages, these ancient languages must be read and understood at a more complex level. Students will be expected to master around 20 new vocabulary words as well as new verb/noun or pronoun forms each week. They must practice syntax and grammar by translating as much as possible and submit homework on schedule. Expect a weekly quiz for both languages.
To succeed at these courses, a student must have a mature work ethic, a comfortable familiarity with English language mechanics, and a willingness to ask for help from the instructor if the grammar becomes confusing.
Some students perform beautifully at age 12 while many others are still not ready for this type of challenge until they are older (age 14 or 15). Conversely, due to the "ageless" nature of an online classroom, we are happy to accept non traditional students: young gifted students and adults are always welcome in our classes.
Having a previous background in Latin and Greek is absolutely not necessary. A comfortable understanding of English language mechanics, however, is highly recommended. An excellent way to prepare for either language is Witty Wordsmith and especially Barbarian Diagrammarian.
To succeed at these courses, a student must have a mature work ethic, a comfortable familiarity with English language mechanics, and a willingness to ask for help from the instructor if the grammar becomes confusing.
Some students perform beautifully at age 12 while many others are still not ready for this type of challenge until they are older (age 14 or 15). Conversely, due to the "ageless" nature of an online classroom, we are happy to accept non traditional students: young gifted students and adults are always welcome in our classes.
Having a previous background in Latin and Greek is absolutely not necessary. A comfortable understanding of English language mechanics, however, is highly recommended. An excellent way to prepare for either language is Witty Wordsmith and especially Barbarian Diagrammarian.
Why don't you have language programs for younger kids?
While there are many programs online and in print now available for younger students, in our experience these programs demand a lot of busy work but deliver very little in the way of learning the functional nuts-and-bolts of Classical languages. Students are not generally prepared to master these languages until they have reached the logic stage (which starts sometime between age 12-15...give or take). You will accomplish much more in a fraction of the time if you simply wait until your student is 12 to 15 before you start formal instruction in Latin and Greek. Better still, waiting to start these logic-based languages may mean your student will enjoy them more (bonus!). We frequently have to overcome bitter attitudes toward Latin when students were asked to do too much before they were mature enough for language mastery.
Do you have scholarships?
We recognize that hiring a tutor for your child in any subject is not cheap. At the Lukeion Project you are hiring a tutor to teach your child the ancient world, Latin, Greek, literature, etc.. We have tried to keep our costs down yet value our classes at a level that will support our instructors who teach full time. Compared to "free" public education, our classes seem expensive until you discover that no private tutor would teach for the small weekly amount we charge for our classes.
We are occasionally "gifted" seats for scholarships. We give preferences to the following groups: missionary families, home educated children of widows/widowers, or families that have suffered a recent severe hardship (hurricane, house fire, recent loss of a parent, military families with a parent in active service, etc.). Please contact us directly for more information. Scholarship families must still have access to high speed internet.
We are occasionally "gifted" seats for scholarships. We give preferences to the following groups: missionary families, home educated children of widows/widowers, or families that have suffered a recent severe hardship (hurricane, house fire, recent loss of a parent, military families with a parent in active service, etc.). Please contact us directly for more information. Scholarship families must still have access to high speed internet.
Do you sell gift certificates?
Absolutely. We frequently have grandparents gift grandchildren the gift of education, for example. Further, if you would like to make a donation toward providing scholarships for missionary families, home educated children of widows/ers, families that have suffered a recent hardship (hurricane, tragedy, house fire, etc.) you may donate any amount and, if you wish, specify those for whom you would like to provide support. Similarly, you can purchase gift certificates by request. Just contact us.
How can I contact someone at the lukeion Project with a question?
You will have likely noticed that we do not publish our phone number due to the fact that SOMEbody here is always teaching a class! Until our fame and fortune accumulates a bit more, we will not have a receptionist desk or live offsite support team. Consequently, a ringing phone interrupts a live class every. single. time. Please email us with questions. We'll be sure the correct person gets your note. You can also email each individual instructor associated with the class that interests you. If you do email us with a request for a phone call, do let us first know the general nature of your questions so we can link important information to you more immediately before our phone call to make best use of our phone time.
What does "auditing" a semester class mean?
"Audit" - comes from the same Latin stem as our modern word audio. It comes from the the verb audio, audire, "to listen" so the term literally means "he or she listens." What does this mean in practical terms for you? Auditors at The Lukeion Project have full access to attend and participate in all live sessions as well as recordings during the published dates of the semester (access to recordings, for example, end on the last day of finals week). Auditors also have access to the syllabus and, if they wish, the readings which are either published by the instructor or available for purchase at most major book sellers. Most auditors will even be able to play many of our instructor programmed review games and, in certain classes, discussion boards. Auditors, however, will have no access of any kind to any graded element of the course. No quizzes, no exams, no writing assignments, no papers, no feedback from the instructor. Alas, instructors will not even provide access to look at the graded elements in any way so we will not offer copies of the exams nor answers to assigned homework. Auditors ONLY listen to the class but will not be graded in any way. No transcript is sent for the student at the end of the semester.
Auditing a course is an option that is available for most classes except language classes (Latin 1-6, Greek 1-6).
Auditing a course is an option that is available for most classes except language classes (Latin 1-6, Greek 1-6).
How on earth to your pronounce "Lukeion"?!
We say LEW-key-on. It is an ancient Greek word that is pronounced the same way in modern Greek since it refers to Greek modern secondary schools (our high school level). Most people are accustomed to hearing the Latin version of the word, Lyceum which we pronounce lie-SEE-um these days but, in Caesar's and Vergil's pronunciation, Lyceum was pronounced "LEW-key-um" correctly making it a neuter singular in a Latin word that sounded pretty much like the Greek word. So, now you know.
My student needs ACCOMMODATIONS / has an IEP/504, what accommodations can you make in your classes?
The Lukeion Project is a private educational enrichment program. We are not a school or academy. We do not receive public funding nor outside funding and thus do not have additional staff to assist with an IEP. We are not obligated to follow a student's IEP. We are able to make some accommodations which allow a wide variety of learners with learning challenges join our classes and succeed. ALL special accommodations must be discussed with individual instructors before a student registers for a course to confirm that an instructor is willing to adapt a course for a student who needs such accommodations. Please keep in mind the following considerations:
All students, regardless of special needs, must observe the published syllabus schedule for a course and course assignments. No Lukeion semester course is self-paced at this time except within the very narrow confines of our independent study programs. Within the published due window of an assignment, most instructors are willing to lengthen the amount of time a student can use to take an quiz/exam (instead of 30 minutes the student can be given 60 minutes, for example) but instructors will not be able to give students a freeform schedule, advanced copies of exams, etc..
Quizzes/exams that are posted as "closed book/no notes" must also remain so for special needs students.
A parent/guardian can help the student with typing/dictation on quizzes/exams/essays/papers as needed, provided all the information/answers are dictated by the student.
Classes are recorded. Recordings are available soon after the live session meets. Students make take their time reviewing the recordings as they master the material.
Quizzes/Exams/Homework can not be rewritten, reworded, nor simplified on a student-by-student basis. If a student prefers a vastly different course, we will not be able to comply.
All students, regardless of special needs, must observe the published syllabus schedule for a course and course assignments. No Lukeion semester course is self-paced at this time except within the very narrow confines of our independent study programs. Within the published due window of an assignment, most instructors are willing to lengthen the amount of time a student can use to take an quiz/exam (instead of 30 minutes the student can be given 60 minutes, for example) but instructors will not be able to give students a freeform schedule, advanced copies of exams, etc..
Quizzes/exams that are posted as "closed book/no notes" must also remain so for special needs students.
A parent/guardian can help the student with typing/dictation on quizzes/exams/essays/papers as needed, provided all the information/answers are dictated by the student.
Classes are recorded. Recordings are available soon after the live session meets. Students make take their time reviewing the recordings as they master the material.
Quizzes/Exams/Homework can not be rewritten, reworded, nor simplified on a student-by-student basis. If a student prefers a vastly different course, we will not be able to comply.
I registered for a workshop 2 years ago. Can my child view it again without re-registering?
Alas, no. Can you imagine how many people would love to watch their favorite new movie at the theater a dozen times for one low price? Maybe hit your favorite Broadway musical 8 times for just one ticket fee? We don't do nearly so well as Spielberg or Jackson (and our costumes are downright mediocre) but we still must limit recording viewing (and reviewing) to ONLY the semester for which the workshop was "attended by recording." This simply allows our instructors to make enough "mad money" to buy a few groceries or a little gas so I know you will appreciate this rule.
My child is ready to apply for college, what about transcripts from the Lukeion PRoject?
At the end of each semester course taken "for credit," if your student completed the course and its assignments, you will be sent an official transcript for that course (those counting credits, each semester counts as a half credit so, for example, Latin 1a and Latin 1b would count combined as a single credit). Each grade transcript is issued by the instructor and includes a course description and students course evaluation. Students do not typically need a compiled transcript of all their different courses at The Lukeion Project though, in our experience, the new breed of "home school advisors" insist that they do as a precaution albeit needlessly. Home educators should simply include the course/subject credit and grade to the student's final high school transcript and, if needed, include copies of the individual transcripts in support, if required by the institutions to which the student is attending. Rarely, a particular institution will insist on a compiled transcript. We charge a $25 hourly rate to compile and issue a student transcript.