Berean Online Course Descriptions
Berean Online Courses 2026-27
Creative Writing 3-8
Taught by Kimberly Probst. *Homework Required
Creative Writing is about having fun with every part of the writing process, from making a sentence to planning a story. In this class, students can extend their writing skills and have a teacher’s help in the process. Students will compose and share their stories, narratives, and essays, and experience appropriate, positive, and constructive criticism by teacher and peers in a safe and friendly environment. Writing is about sharing with others in a way that moves and inspires them, helps us get to know about ourselves, and deepens our connection with God. “My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer” Psalm 45:1.
Reading & Spelling K-2
Taught by Kimberly Probst. *Homework Required
Reading & Spelling K-2 is designed to help beginning readers with reading, spelling, and writing skills. Students use the McGuffey readers, classic schoolbooks that were used in one-room schoolhouses for over a century, and which produced the caliber of writer that could pen our Declaration of Independence and Constitution. They include vocabulary, spelling, poetry memorization, and dictation. These books teach morals through story, involve Scripture, and encourage students to develop a character like Jesus. As they participate, students will be gently encouraged in their reading skills, helping them to progress from where they are to a whole new level of comfort and facility. The objective is to inspire students to enjoy reading, and to develop a lifelong love of reading all types of books. Reading is important because God created a written Word to be read that brings life to those who read it. “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints, and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” Hebrews 4:12.
Reading & Spelling 3-8
Taught by Kimberly Probst. *Homework Required
Reading & Spelling 3-8 is for the more advanced reader. It is designed to challenge intermediate and advanced students to sharpen and hone their reading, spelling, and writing skills. Students use the McGuffey readers, classic schoolbooks that were used in one-room schoolhouses for over a century, and which produced the caliber of writer that could pen our Declaration of Independence and Constitution. They include vocabulary, spelling, poetry memorization, and dictation. These books teach morals through story, involve Scripture, and encourage students to develop a character like Jesus. As they participate, students will be gently encouraged in their reading skills, helping them to progress from where they are to a whole new level of comfort and facility. The objective is to inspire students to enjoy reading, and to develop a lifelong love of reading all types of books. Reading is important because God created a written Word to be read that brings life to those who read it. “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints, and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” Hebrews 4:12.
English Literature & Writing 7-12
Taught by David Stark. *Homework Required
In English Literature and Writing, students will look at a variety of literary writings and learn to find Christ in them, weighing them against Scripture. Students will discover or rediscover the joy of reading, strengthen their reading skills, read good books, and hone their reading skills using principles from “How to Read a Book” by Mortimer J. Adler. Throughout the course, students will learn to think critically and consider how reading a story differs from watching TV or a movie. In the writing component of this course, students will learn to express their thoughts and ideas in writing, Reading and writing are connected; writing is about sharing with others in a way that moves and inspires them, helps us get to know about ourselves, and deepens our connection with God; and reading is generously receiving that communication. “My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer” Psalm 45:1.
Elem Math K-2
Taught by Kimberly Probst. *Homework Required
In Elementary Math K-2, students will learn basic skills in notation, place value, addition, subtraction, early multiplication, and division. Games are used to make learning fun and to help students develop facility with doing quick calculations in their heads. In addition to acquiring skills in mathematics, students will also develop skills in mathematical thinking and basic logic, and at the base of everything, they will be inspired to have an appreciation for the mathematical world that God created. God questions Job, “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell Me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?” Job 38:4-5.
Elem Math 5-8
Taught by Kimberly Probst. *Homework Required
In Elementary Math 5-8, students will start with a review of the basic skills taught in Elementary Math 3-4 that include notation, place value, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, and then progress to fractions, factoring, decimals, percentages, ratios, exponents, order of operations, geometry, and early Algebra. Games are used to make learning fun and to help students develop facility with doing quick calculations in their heads. In addition to refining their skills in mathematics, students will also develop skills in mathematical thinking and basic logic, and at the base of everything, they will be inspired to have an appreciation for the mathematical world that God created. God questions Job, “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell Me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?” Job 38:4-5.
Fractions Refresher 4-7
Taught by Rene Valero. *Homework Required
(Half hour class). Fractions Refresher is recommended prior to/concurrent with Pre-Algebra. Fractions can be overwhelming to parents and students, but facility with fractions is necessary for Pre-Algebra, Algebra I and II, Geometry, and other math classes taken in high school. Students will tame the fraction monster within and become comfortable with fractions. They will learn the difference between proper and improper fractions, change improper fractions into mixed numbers, identify equivalent fractions, create common denominators, add/subtract/multiply/divide fractions, and build fractional fluency. In addition to acquiring skills with fractions, students will begin to develop an appreciation for the mathematical world that God created. God questions Job, “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell Me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?” Job 38:4-5.
Pre-Algebra
Taught by Rene Valero. *Homework Required
God takes great care with his creation, even numbering the hairs on our heads! Matthew 10:30 By investigating how numbers work together to describe the world around us, we can develop an understanding of the preciseness of our Creator. This course will focus on the basic skills necessary to understand Pre-Algebra. Students will learn what is needed to solve for x and they will solve for x in terms of y to plot lines on a graph. Ratios and proportions will be used to solve story problems. Opposite operations are emphasized including the opposite operations square root and exponents. Students combine like terms and use proper order of operations to solve and simplify equations. Distributive property of multiplication is taught, the slope of a line is found, linear equations are graphed, and students are able to identify the y-intercept of a line, the origin of a graph, and the x-intercept. In addition to acquiring skills in Pre-Algebra, students will also develop skills in mathematical thinking and basic logic, and at the base of everything, they will be inspired to have an appreciation for the mathematical world that God created. God questions Job, “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell Me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?” Job 38:4-5.
Intro to Criminal Justice 5-12
Taught by Mike Babb/Dr. Alex Probst. *Homework Required
In Intro to Criminal Justice, students will learn about the foundation of the criminal justice system and how it works, case studies, the role of law enforcement, controversial issues in policing, the role of the courts, definitions of crime and how they change over time, the rule of law, the rights of victims, due process, corrections, probation, forensic science, policy issues and more. Throughout this course, students will examine actual case studies, confront the good, the bad, and the ugly in our criminal justice system, compare it to other systems of criminal justice in the world, and discuss the balance of personal liberty and public safety. How far do private property and an individual’s right to privacy go, and when is the proper time for search and seizure? Our system of laws is inspired by both the Judeo-Christian Mosaic laws and those in the New Testament. God’s character is both merciful and just and any understanding of His nature needs to include both. “Righteousness and judgment are the foundation of Your throne; mercy and truth go before Your face” Psalm 89:14.
Video Editing 7-12
Taught by Dr. Alex Probst. *Homework Required
In Video Editing, students will explore creating and editing short and long form videos. They will learn about Pre-Production and Planning (storyboarding, project management, and creative concept development), Videography and Production (capturing raw footage, lighting, and audio), Post-Production and Editing (editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and Final Cut Pro), and Finishing Touches (color correction, audio mixing, visual effects, and transitions). They will practice capturing raw footage, learn about different kinds of camera equipment, experiment with green screens, and discover how to optimize video for a variety of digital platforms. Throughout this process, students will create from a vision, literally change how people see the world, inspire and move them, and invite them into experiences they have never had before. Ultimately, video can help to fulfill the Great Commission to reach out to people all over the world who do not know Jesus. “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim His name; make known among the nations what He has done” Psalm 105:1.
Algebra I
Taught by Dr. Alex Probst. *Homework Required
In Algebra I, students will both review basic math skills and develop Algebra skills. It is effective for both introducing concepts of Algebra for the first time and strengthening those concepts for Algebra students who struggled in a year-long Algebra course. Concepts covered include solving single equations, solving multiple equations, exponents, factoring, graphing lines, and graphing of quadratic equations. In addition to acquiring skills in Algebra, students will also develop skills in mathematical thinking and basic logic, and at the base of everything, they will be inspired to have an appreciation for the mathematical world that God created. God questions Job, “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell Me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?” Job 38:4-5.
Geometry
Taught by Dr. Alex Probst. *Homework Required
In Geometry, students will use both inductive and deductive reasoning to create proofs of theorems and postulates being learned. Students will learn spatial relationships in two-dimensional shapes and then extend their knowledge to three-dimensional space. The course begins by introducing students to lines and angles, especially in reference to parallel and perpendicular lines. It then moves into the relationships of congruence, proportion, and similarity in triangles. The students will then take the relationships learned about triangles and extend them to quadrilaterals and circles, with special emphasis given to angles, arcs and segments intersecting a circle. Finally, students will take the information learned in two-dimensional space and formulate theorems and postulates that are similar in three-dimensional space. In addition to acquiring skills in geometry, students will also develop skills in mathematical thinking and basic logic, and at the base of everything, they will be inspired to have an appreciation for the mathematical world that God created. God questions Job, “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell Me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?” Job 38:4-5.
Algebra II
Taught by Dr. Alex Probst. *Homework Required
This course follows Algebra I and Algebraic concepts will be taken to a deeper level. Students will learn functions, “families of functions,” equations, inequalities, polynomials, rational expressions, complex numbers, matrices, and sequences and series. Students will learn to communicate, both orally and written, the logic of algebraic procedures and interpretation of results they find. The graphing calculator will be used to assist in teaching and learning. In addition to refining and extending skills in Algebra, students will also develop skills in mathematical thinking and basic logic, and at the base of everything, they will be inspired to have an appreciation for the mathematical world that God created. God questions Job, “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell Me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?” Job 38:4-5.