Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Software/hardware: The family must provide for their own copy of Microsoft Office (2003 or newer). The family must also provide for their own computer, and Internet (TCP-IP) access.

Computer specifications:
PC: Windows (XP or newer), 512 MB RAM, 30 GB hard drive, and CD and DVD dirve(s).
Mac: OS 10.X or newer, Power PC G4 or newer, 512 MB RAM, 30 GB hard drive, and DVD-rom player

Webdesign classes require a Pentium3/600 MHZ running at least Windows XP or a G3/500 MHZ running OS X on a Macintosh.

We do not support Linux.

Texts, videos, CD/DVDs: the family will purchase directly from a retail vendor or from our online bookstore all of the needed items for the subjects (classes) for which they have purchased the lesson bundles. You may view a list of all of the required class learning materials at our online bookstore.

NorthStar HIS will provide all of the lesson resources for each class provided for download from our FirstClass Intranet Server. NorthStar HIS will provide a "Resource DVD Set" that contains all of the needed freeware and shareware software that will be used in the lesson bundles. NorthStar HIS will provide new families a "NorthStar 101" video that will explain how the program works and how the family can get started using the program.

Each NorthStar HomeSchooler will download his/her lesson bundle from within our online learning environment. For more info, please visit the How NorthStar HomeSchool Works page.

While NorthStar HIS is not a HomeSchool Umbrella organization but a curriculum and lesson resource provider, we are moving toward offering more services to home-based learners, and in the future, we may extend those services to include an umbrella administration service for those who have chosen to home educate.

Please see the differences shown on the comparison page.