FAQ

Curriculum

What is a student learning guide?

Our student learning guides provide step-by-step instructions that help students to move through the learning process with confidence. This self-guided approach promotes independence, understanding and use of information through assignments and activities. Students progress at the right pace for them, moving quickly when the sailing is smooth, taking more time when they hit rougher waters. Additionally, each student learning guide has designated checkpoints for the teacher and ends with a final exam, allowing the teacher to easily ensure success.

Thousands of students and parents have found this approach extremely effective and much more engaging and enjoyable than other approaches. We agree. That’s why we work as hard on creating the student learning guides as we do on the books themselves!

Does my child require any special skills to use a student learning guide?

No special skills are required. Student learning guides are self-explanatory and easy to follow.

What is an independent learning package?

Though any of our books can be purchased alone, it is recommended they be purchased as part of an independent learning package. This consists of a book, a student learning guide, teacher notes (with materials list), and a final exam with answers. (Additional learning guides can be purchased separately.)

What is a legacy book?

These are books originally designed for and used in proficiency- or mastery-based school classrooms. They are tested and proven courses of study, often easily adaptable to a homeschool setting. They are less expensive, and include a free download of the learning guide, materials list and final exam with answers. In addition to our more premium titles, we are proud to offer over a hundred legacy books covering a wide range of academic and practical subjects.

Are there supplies or other materials I will need?

Every student learning guide has an accompanying materials list. Most of these can be found in the product description on our website. If you ever have trouble finding one, feel free to email support@heronbooks.com for help.

Do you offer diagnostic testing?

We offer free diagnostic tests in spelling and math (linked below).

Ordering

How can I check my order status?

Your order confirmation, order processing and order shipment notifications will be emailed to you. For other questions, email sales@heronbooks.com.

How do I pay for the materials I want to buy?

We accept MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover credit cards as well as PayPal payment. We also offer net 30 payment for business-to-business accounts. Call 503-843-3834 to enquire about net 30.

What is included when I order Heron materials?

Our books generally have an accompanying student learning guide, materials list/teacher's notes, and an after-course examination with answers. These are part of the "Independent Learning Package" that can be added to any purchase. legacy books include these as free downloads.

How fast do you ship orders?

We are a print-on-demand publisher. We typically ship all orders within 48 hours of receipt. If you have questions or need special shipping arrangements, please feel free to give us a call at 503-843-3834 or email us at support@heronbooks.com.

What is your refund policy?

Heron Books will refund unmarked, unstamped, resalable materials within 30 days of invoice date for any reason, for a full refund or account credit (excluding original shipping charge). Please explain the reasons or circumstances for the return. Shipping charges on returned materials shall be paid by the customer.

What is your privacy policy?

Click here to view our full privacy policy.

Other Questions

Is Heron Books part of any religious organization or group?

No, it is not.

Heron Books operates independently of any church, religious organization or group. It exists to provide effective non-religious educational materials to schools, homeschoolers, families and students of all (or no) religious persuasions.

What is Heron Books’ relationship with L. Ron Hubbard or the Church of Scientology?

L. Ron Hubbard (1911-1986) is well-known as the founder of the Church of Scientology. He also wrote about many non-religious topics, including study, education, ethics and management. We are proud to offer several books based on these writings, all of which are clearly presented as “based on the works of L. Ron Hubbard.”

Heron Books is not affiliated with the Church of Scientology.

We strive to be inclusive in all our materials, and we consider it important to our brand to have no “agenda” whether that be left vs. right, secular vs. religious, evolutionist vs. creationist.

What is Applied Scholastics and what is its relationship with Heron Books?

Applied Scholastics® is a non-profit educational organization formed in 1972 to provide effective services and materials based on L. Ron Hubbard’s research and discoveries in the fields of study and education.

As an educational publisher, Heron Books is licensed by Applied Scholastics to develop and publish books and materials based on Hubbard’s non-religious writings.

What is Heron Books’ association with the Delphian School?

Heron Books was established in 1976 as a sister organization to the Delphian School, a non-religious K-12 boarding school in Oregon. Its purpose was to create high-quality materials for Delphian as an early adopter of proficiency- or mastery-based education.

Over time, the popularity of these materials grew. Today our materials are used by individuals, schools, tutors and homeschoolers around the world.

Heron Books operates under a corporate umbrella with Delphian, and its offices are located on the Delphian campus. Our team of writers, artists, sales and production staff all assist in academic or extra-curricular activities within the school, while also collaborating with the school’s faculty in the ongoing development of new and better books and learning materials. This unique collaborative relationship allows us to test and refine our materials through work with actual students and teachers.

Can I visit schools that use Heron materials and the Heron School Programs?

While there are schools, tutors and homeschoolers throughout the world that use Heron materials, the following schools have contributed significantly to the development of our programs, books and materials, and continue to contribute feedback, support and expertise to the development of our materials:

Delphian School®
PreK-12 boarding and day

20950 S.W. Rock Creek Road
Sheridan, OR 97378
503-843-3521

delphian.org

Delphi Academy® of Boston

PreK-8 day
564 Blue Hill Avenue
Milton, MA 02186
617-333-9610

delphiboston.org

Delphi Academy of Florida
PreK-12 day

1831 Drew Street
Clearwater, FL 33765
727-447-6385

delphifl.org

Delphi Academy of Los Angeles
PreK-12 day

11341 Brainard Avenue
Lake View Terrace, CA 91342
818-583-1070

delphila.org