|

Homeschooling High School with YOUR CHILD in Mind

There are so many articles out there about homeschooling high school. Homeschooling high school with college in mind, homeschooling high school with AP courses, homeschooling high school without curriculum, etc. Whether you have already graduated one or more of your children or are preparing for homeschooling high school for the first time, I’m sure you’ve already realized one important thing: your children are very different people with very different needs.

Homeschooling High School with YOUR CHILD in Mind

Whether you have two children or ten, you know that each is very different from the others. If you have been homeschooling for a while, I’m sure you have found the need to shift and change your approach, even if just slightly, with each one of them. Not only do their needs change individually, but the needs from child to child can be different. This means you might have to try numerous homeschooling methods, curricula, reward systems, schedules, etc.

When it is time for homeschooling high school, things get a little more serious as you are creating an exit plan for your child. An exit plan out of homeschooling, an exit plan into college, an exit plan into the workforce, but really an exit plan into that child’s future, whatever that may be. This means what you choose in the high school years becomes ever more important.

The 4-Year High School Plan

If you are planning to homeschool high school for the first time, it can feel very challenging for you. You want to take into consideration both what your state (i.e., New York or Nebraska) requires and what basics a college will be looking for in a high school transcript.

For example, colleges like to see 2 years of a foreign language. So, you might choose a language that is common in your state. For example, in California, learning Spanish would be an ideal language. If your child is thinking more along the lines of biblical studies, maybe Greek or Hebrew. Or for medical and other scholarly lines, Latin can be a good choice.

If you have access to a good local community college, your plan can assume your child will be attending there and then transferring to a 4-year school, if he or she chooses. While college is not a required step, you want to build plans for each of them that leave the door open if that is the path they would like to take in the future. This means including lab sciences and math beyond basic algebra, as well as high school electives that not only interest them but will serve them in the future.

homeschooling high school - teen girl reading

A book you might find helpful is The HomeScholar Guide to College Admission and Scholarships, all about successfully navigating the homeschooler’s journey through the college admissions process, including earning scholarships.

Choosing Specific Curriculum

It can be a challenge to find the right high school curriculum that fits your homeschooler’s needs, but it’s worth taking the time to research and locate the curriculum or curricula that go with your teen’s interests and learning styles, while still ticking the boxes of high school requirements.

High School Electives

Planning for high school electives is a big part of homeschooling high school. High school electives allow your children to not only branch out and try new things, but to dig deeper into things they love, and even to beef up their transcripts with college-friendly items.

Each child is different, and high school electives are an important place to take that into consideration. Teaching your kids vital life skills can be easily merged with high school electives, as your child learns skills such as household maintenance, financial literacy, and career planning.

Here are some tips on how to assign high school credits for electives your children are learning.

Extracurricular Activities

Beyond academics, your high schoolers can spread their wings into the world of jobs, volunteer work, and sports endeavors. Each of these can teach them foundational life skills such as problem solving, teamwork, leadership, and more!

In the end, homeschooling allows us so much freedom in the education of our children. We can tailor their high school experiences to meet their learning needs and set them up to reach their future goals, from graduating your homeschooler to everything that comes after!

How are you homeschooling high school with YOUR CHILD in Mind?

Other High School-Related Topics Here at Hip Homeschool Moms

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *