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Highschool Homeschooling



The demands of highschool homeschooling can not be overestimated, especially in this competitive time for young adults as they prepare for college and their future.

As a mom with teen students, I am right in the middle of preparing my children for their future! Follow along as I give some steps that helped me to prepare myself and my teens.

7 Steps For Preparing for Highschool

1. Find out the high school graduation requirements for your state.

highschool homeschooling

Usually a good well rounded high school course will have these core classes:

  • 4 years of English: Composition, Grammar, Vocabulary, American Lit, British Lit, Speech...
  • 2–4 years of Math: College bound—Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus
  • Non-college bound—consider Consumer Math and Accounting in lieu of upper level courses
  • 2–4 years of Science - Biology, Physical Science, Earth Science, Chemistry, Physics...
  • 2–4 years of History - American History, Ancient History, World History, Civics, Government, Geography, Economics...

Discuss with your child possible subjects they are interested in.

I sat down with my high schoolers and talked about each of their current interests. We talked about their strengths and goals and what homeschool electives they would like to pursue to help achieve those goals.

Then we mapped out a plan to to move them toward their goals.

My oldest loves his violin and enjoys graphic design. Both of these interests can be pursued now and later on in college.

Therefore, we have set up some classes and extracurricular activities for him to have in high school to help him meet these goals. This summer he interned at a Camp in their Graphic design department. I gave him high school credit for this.

One of my other daughters loves to sew...and another one loves Astromomy and Anatomy and Physiology. I made a plan for them to help pursure these interests in there highschool homeschooling plan.

Ask these questions for highschool homeschooling:

  • What are his interests?
  • What vocation do they lean toward?
  • Is college an option?
  • Vocational School?
  • Do you have a family business or entrepreneurial ideas?
  • Are there subject areas that your child excels in?
  • Are there subject areas in which he has a special interest?

Make a course of study for grades 9-12

I have 9 children from newborn-18...so I have many younger children.

Because of this, I have decided on using some DVD classes and online courses for my highschool students. This enables my highschoolers to stay on a good schedule and be taught some of the upper classes that I am not as proficient in.

Consider your family and your circumstances. If you are also teaching younger children, you may want to consider these options to ease your teaching load:

  • online high school courses
  • community college courses
  • DVD, video, or CD courses
  • satellite courses
  • distance learning programs
  • Teach with another family
  • Hire a tutor for a particular subject

4. Make plans for the first year.

I take the summer and plan my curriculum for the year and try to find what will work best for my family and still give my high schoolers a quality education.

This year my oldest is going to be a senior, so I signed him up for College algebra at our local community college. He is also taking 3 online college classed through out the school year.

Because he is Homeschooling high school he has the opportunity to get Dual credit: credit for highschool and for college.

Remember that flexibility is the key to a good running homeschool...especially with highschool homeschooling.

Taking time to plan in advance will produce benefits that you will appreciate throughout the school year

5.Get a Jump Start on College

By exerting a little extra effort, your student can earn college credit at the same time as he earns highschool credit.

By taking advantage of college-level exams (Clep tests), community college, online college classes, and other opportunities, it's possible to have many college classes finished before most teens graduate from high school.

Many times college and high school credit can be earned simultaneously by taking a course at the junior college.

My son is currently doing this and will have 16 college credits completed by the time he graduates from highschool placing him as a 2nd semester Freshman in college.

6. Keep good record keeping

In 9th grade start keeping accurate homeschool records of the courses your child takes.

  • the textbook or other resources that were used
  • a brief description of the content of the course and the method of evaluation,
  • samples of papers written and tests taken,
  • the name of the instructor (this could be the parent, a tutor, an online instructor, etc.).
  • keep separate reading lists of the various books your child reads for class work and for pleasure during the high school years.
  • Keep an official looking homeschool transcript.

Once you decide what colleges your child will apply to, ask those colleges what high school records they want from you. Find out their requirements early so that you can give them what they want.

That’s why I recommend keeping most thing in high school, you never know what they will want.

At the end of senior year, remember to send the college a homeschool transcript that includes graduation date, final grades, and grade point average.

Keeping accurate records each year will save you much time and effort when creating a transcript for your child.

7. Use outside resources for highschool homeschooling

  • Support Groups - Get connected with a local support group-preferably one that includes families with high school students.
  • Church Youth Group - A great way for your teen to get connected with the right kind of teens and be involved in church activities.
  • Local opportunities - Look up your local area for extracurricular activities (sports, debate, choir, orchestra.) and group classes that may be available in your area.

Return from Highschool Homeschooling to Homeschool High School

Return from Highschool Homeschooling to Pros and Cons of Homeschooling

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