Are you thinking about homeschooling your teens through high school? Or are you already teaching your high schooler at home?
I am delighted to be given the opportunity to put together an ultimate guide for you, all about homeschooling high school. Besides preschool, being home with my daughter through the high school years was my most favorite time in our homeschool. Not that it was all rainbows and roses, but it was so worth it!
I am delighted to be given the opportunity to put together an ultimate guide for you, all about homeschooling high school. Besides preschool, being home with my daughter through the high school years was my most favorite time in our homeschool. Not that it was all rainbows and roses, but it was so worth it!
Homeschooling our teens gives us so many benefits, not the least of which is how it builds up family relationships. It also gives us a chance to be there, side by side, which our teens are reaching out, exploring the world as almost young adults, and beginning to find their own paths.
Homeschooling high school is so much easier with all the resources that we now have on the web! All it takes is an understanding of the special requirements of high school, such as making transcripts, doing regular record keeping, and figuring out how to assign our teens their high school credit.
Once the particulars are figured out, then it is all about encouraging our teens, choosing their curricula with them, and helping them get going with their studies, which is what we homeschoolers are already so familiar with.
So today, let's start with the particulars, including: planning, record keeping, assigning credits, choosing curricula, and making homeschool transcripts. The nitty gritty of high school.
Then we are free to look at the fun of the high school years, by discussing things like making our own courses, doing high school electives, and celebrating graduation.
Then, at the end of this guide, I saved space for encouragement for us mamas, and also some for our teens, as they work to develop their self esteem. And for those who have college bound teens, the last section of this guide is for you.
So let's get started with some tips for planning, from myself and so many other veteran homeschool moms with tons of experience in the high school years.
1. PLANNING FOR HIGH SCHOOL
Knowing a few key tips will make your high school planning easy! Here are a number of posts that will help you in your planning.
Abundant Life Archives/ 10 Day Series on High School by Marianne, mom to 7 teens with dyslexia
Homeschool High School - Curriculum, Organization, Planning by Tricia
Planning the High School Years by Midway Mom
Curriculum Choice High School Board by Curriculum Choice Authors
Homeschool for High School - Posts and Helps by Jimmie
Preparing for Homeschooling High School by Curriculum Choice Authors
Homeschooling High School with Confidence by Betsy,
My book - Homeschooling High School with College in Mind - is great for planning too, and includes 13 planning printables, to make it easier for you.
Next, let's talk about record keeping and high school credits....
2. RECORD KEEPING AND HIGH SCHOOL CREDITS
As homeschoolers, we already are familiar with record keeping, as we already do that when planning our learning activities. In high school, recording those activities is important, as they then become high school credits. It is not hard to do! There are 3 simple ways to assign high school credit. And below that, bloggers share how to met the record keeping needs for their teens.
How to Tackle Grading by Heidi
Three Ways to High School Credit by Betsy - A simple guide to assigning credit, which is now a chapter in my book, mentioned below.
Keeping Homeschool Records with Homeschool Minder by Mary
How a Homeschool Mom Grades a High School Essay by Tina
How to Prepare Your Student for College Writing - by Betsy, in my book, Homeschooling High School with College in Mind below.
Now that you know how to assign high school credit, let's look at curriculum...
3. CHOOSING YOUR HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM
101 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum by Annie Kate
High School Homeschool Curriculum - Top Picks by Cindy
High School Math Resources for Homeschooling by the Homeschool Scientist
Choosing High School Curriculum - High School Resources - Curriculum Choice authors
High School Homeschool Curriculum Choices by Tricia
High School Homeschool Video Courses by Tricia
Geography Resources by Heidi
How I Teach Reading and Language Arts by Heidi
For more information on what is required for High School English, click here - High School Writing Requirements - an Authoritative Guide.
Of course, there are those transcripts to make, but doing that doesn't have to be daunting.....and here is some help for doing just that...
4. HOMESCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS
5. MAKING YOUR OWN HOMEMADE COURSES
One of the most fun memories I have are doing our own homemade courses. Below are some articles on that, and assigning credit for them was not hard to do. I have forms for your homemade courses in my book, mentioned below.
Our Favorites for US History by Betsy
Romeo and Juliet for High School by Heidi
Teaching History Through Movies by Heidi
Using Picture Books to Teach Expository Writing by Cindy
Literature Guides by Tina
Student Led High School Courses by Cindy
High School Science for the Horse Lover by Cindy
Our Homemade Course in Video-Making by Betsy
Being a Legislator for the Day - Youth and Government by Betsy
Another way to switch up your homeschool is to use resources that were made by other homeschoolers, for homeschoolers...
Of course, there are those transcripts to make, but doing that doesn't have to be daunting.....and here is some help for doing just that...
4. HOMESCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS
BJ's Guide to Transcripts - & How to Showcase your Student to College Admissions by Betsy
How to Prove that Your Credits Mean Something by 7 Sisters
Plugging the Holes in the Homeschool Transcript by Vicki
More tips on transcripts and course descriptions, in my book mentioned at the end of this guide.
Now that you have mastered the important details of high school at home, let's look at some of the fun things that can be a part of it too, for sure. Another great option for high school courses is to make some of your own!How to Prove that Your Credits Mean Something by 7 Sisters
Plugging the Holes in the Homeschool Transcript by Vicki
More tips on transcripts and course descriptions, in my book mentioned at the end of this guide.
5. MAKING YOUR OWN HOMEMADE COURSES
One of the most fun memories I have are doing our own homemade courses. Below are some articles on that, and assigning credit for them was not hard to do. I have forms for your homemade courses in my book, mentioned below.
Our Favorites for US History by Betsy
Romeo and Juliet for High School by Heidi
Teaching History Through Movies by Heidi
Using Picture Books to Teach Expository Writing by Cindy
Literature Guides by Tina
Student Led High School Courses by Cindy
High School Science for the Horse Lover by Cindy
Our Homemade Course in Video-Making by Betsy
Being a Legislator for the Day - Youth and Government by Betsy
Another way to switch up your homeschool is to use resources that were made by other homeschoolers, for homeschoolers...
6. HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM BY HOMESCHOOLERS
Note - This post may included affiliate links to products that we love and have used or would use in our own homeschool. Please see my disclosure policy.
Note - This post may included affiliate links to products that we love and have used or would use in our own homeschool. Please see my disclosure policy.
Have you seen all the courses that are offered at the 7 Sisters Homeschool Site? They have high school courses in English, History, High School Electives, Career Exploration, Health, Consumer Math, Literature Guides, and Speech and Drama. Each of the courses is written by a homeschool mom who has homeschooled all the way through high school.
Do you have a teen who is interested in art? Or one who just wants to try their hand at it for an elective?
Tricia Hodges, at You Are An Artist, offers a large variety of art courses, taught by a professional artist, including video courses as well. This year, she has released two semester long courses, perfect for an art elective for your teen. Most colleges require a fine arts credit, and here's an easy way to get that done, while having lots of fun, too!
Below is her course called "Video Art Course - Semester 2."
She also offers Semester 1, all set up for fall subjects, like autumn leaves, holiday scenes, etc, plus lots of art books, on a variety of subjects, like historical sites, etc. Now that we are talking about art, that leads right into looking at more high school electives....
7. HIGH SCHOOL ELECTIVES
Homeschooling High School and Teenagers - Home Ed and Shop
Being a Legislator for the Day - Youth and Government by Betsy
Photography As A High School Elective by Heidi
Homeschooling a Horse Lover by Cindy
Getting Creative with High School Electives by Tara
How to Use High School Electives to Help your Teen Get into College by Betsy - Included in my book, Homeschooling High School with College in Mind below.
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| Our Homemade Course in Video-Making |
8. A DAY IN THE LIFE - HIGH SCHOOL
High School Homeschool Parent Teacher Conference by Tricia
The Usual Hayhem by Middle Way Mom
A Day In the Life at Hodgepodge by Tricia
A Day in the Life by Shelly, family of 9 kiddos
A Day in the Life by Jamie
Handwork, Bird Watching & Video Making by Betsy
Finding the Play in our High School Days by Betsy
Well, I can't forget to mention graduation. Awe, the fun of looking back on my daughter's senior year, and all the fun of watching her graduate at our state homeschool graduation ceremony.
Below is more on that, and also a bunch of ideas for ways to mark this important milestone in your high schooler's life.
Below is more on that, and also a bunch of ideas for ways to mark this important milestone in your high schooler's life.
9. CELEBRATING GRADUATION
A Rooster and a Prom Dress by Betsy
Homeschool Graduation Favorites by Tricia
Homeschool Diploma - Quality Graduation Products
Homeschool Graduation - Let's Homeschool High School
Six Part Graduation Party Series by 7 Sisters:
How to Plan Ahead
Graduation Party, part 2 - Delegation and SetUp
Graduation Party, part 3 - Having Fun and Cleaning Up
Part 4 - Announcements or Invitations
Part 5 - How to Be a Good Guest
Part 6 - More on How to Be a Good Guest
And now, here's some encouragement from those of us who have already graduated teens...
10. ENCOURAGEMENT
Mom's of Teen's - Its' Not Just Babies Who Are Time Consuming by Heidi
Preparing my heart for Graduation by Betsy
A Teen's Guide to the 4 Love Languages by Heidi
Preparing my heart for Graduation by Betsy
A Teen's Guide to the 4 Love Languages by Heidi
12. THE COLLEGE OPTION
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A Homeschooler Goes to College - Again! |
Do you have a teen who is thinking about college?
I did and you probably know that mine is in college now. Boy, did I worry way too much about that, when she was in high school. That is why I wrote my book on Homeschooling High School with College in Mind,2nd edition, below, to encourage other families.
I did and you probably know that mine is in college now. Boy, did I worry way too much about that, when she was in high school. That is why I wrote my book on Homeschooling High School with College in Mind,2nd edition, below, to encourage other families.
The colleges are getting more homeschool friendly each year. That is the trend.
Here's more about our story, going from homeschool to college, with updates from my daughter's college experiences so far. She is thriving there.
Another College Acceptance - And How We Got There
How First Quarter Went at College What is is really like?
The Scoop on Earning AP Credit in High School by Heidi
The Imperfect Homeschooler's Simple Guide to the College Search by Tricia
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Have you seen my new book yet?
Do you want a step by step guide to high school and college, plus my exclusive guide to the Common Application for homeschoolers?
I have gathered together all my best tips for high school and college and put it into my new book, Homeschooling High School with College in Mind, 2nd Edition.
It gives you everything that you need to plan your high school homeschool for your college bound teen. Plus how to help them get into the college of their choice.
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| Amazon for only $11.99 |
Paperback is on Amazon for only $11.99
This book is an easy-to-read guide to college for homeschoolers, recently updated with 7 NEW chapters, including:
- My own homeschoolers guide to the Common Application
- How to write the Counselor Recommendation Letter
- Where to find college scholarships
- SAT/ACT Prep
- How to make your own homemade courses
- Included are also 12 homeschool high school planning printables to make your record-keeping easier.
10 easy to do steps to homeschool high school with college in mind. And it really is NOT that hard!!
This book does not tell you how to homeschool high school. Instead it gives you guidance for doing it your way!
Keep your nurturing homeschool style and showcase their accomplishments to the colleges!
Recommended by: Lessa Scherrer, Certified College Counselor
from College Inside Track
"Betsy has a wealth of understanding and knowledge to share with the parents of college bound homeschoolers. She provides support, encouragement and step-by-step advice on all aspects of the homeschool high school and college application process. This book is a must-read for parents considering homeschooling high school and for parents in the thick of the application process."
And help for record keeping! With my exclusive high school and college planning printables.
The high school and college planning forms include:
College Entrance Requirements Form
Overall High School Plan
Curriculum Planning Sheet
High School Credit Record Form
Transcript Form
Activities and Awards Form
Homemade Course Form
Writing the College Essay Form
Course Descriptions Record Keeping Form
Reference Letter Request Form
PE Record Form
For more information, click here - Frugal College Prep for Homeschoolers or to buy it here - my book on Amazon for only $11.99.
And don't worry about forgetting things!
Thanks for stopping by BJ's Homeschool,
Betsy
Betsy is mom to her now college grad, whom she homeschooled through high school. She blogs at BJ's Homeschool, about the early years, highschool,
college, gifted/2e and wrote -Homeschooling High School with College in Mind, 2nd Edition, She offers homeschool help through messages at BJ's Consulting, and has had some of her articles picked up by the Huffington Post.
college, gifted/2e and wrote -Homeschooling High School with College in Mind, 2nd Edition, She offers homeschool help through messages at BJ's Consulting, and has had some of her articles picked up by the Huffington Post.
Want to stay in touch?
Copyright, 2017
Updated 2019
All Rights Reserved
Updated 2019
All Rights Reserved
i have a question or a situation i am a bit puzzle about. my older internationally adopted DD is 17 ( soon to be 18) she will be entering 11th grade and we have so much material in science to cover that we are in overload. i am not sure what can be skipped or skimmed and what is a must. she is thinking of being a PTA and i know we have to do biology and maybe do some phys and anatomy. but what about chemistry? there doesn't seem to be time to get that in. 1/2 semester enough? she will already be 19 when she graduates and i don't think she will be willing to go another year beyond that. she does want to do college and i am trying to prepare her, but there is so much to cover - i just need to know what is a 'must'. math we have to do - 'line upon line'- and English, history , etc is on track...but she is only at the end of her pre algebra- not sure we will even get to geometry... not sure it is needed! any tips and links to guide as i plan the next year? thanks!
ReplyDeleteThat is a great question, momanita! It all depends on where she is going, ie where she would do her PTA work. If you check out my book, Homeschooling High School with College in Mind,(mentioned on this article) it will show you the differences between each type of college, and what they would likely require. For example, an easy to get into state college usually would only ask for two lab science, which would likely be Bio and Chem. Phys and Anatomy would usually NOT be required. I am an OT, and I did not have to do any Phys or Anatomy prior to college. It is the harder colleges that ask for 3 sciences, not 2. If you look at Chapter 1, it gives you line on line what the usual requirements are for the different types of colleges. I am more than willing to help you get this figured out for your dear one. My book also has lots of tips for high school at home with forms to help you make it easier to do! Send a message to me here again, if you like, or to my facebook page, BJ's Homeschool, whichever you prefer. My best to you and your family,
Deletethank you. i called the local Jr college she'd likely attend at first and the guidance counselor gave me some great insight. i think we are on the right track for college- just not sure how to help speed things up for her LOL i think it will just take as long as it takes. now to decide if ACT or placement test will be best for her! - thanks again....you may hear from me sometime soon!
DeleteMost community colleges use a placement test, which is usually so much less of a stress than ACT or SAT. Thanks for stopping by,
Deletemy real concern is how to know what can be 'skipped' in the sciences- does she need to do the whole biology and chemistry book? i have no idea what can be just skimmed and /or skipped altogether! what HAS to be covered? any ideas where i'd find that info? thanks!
ReplyDeleteI did a post on that called "3 Ways to High School Credit" which is here - https://betsyhomeschoolconsulting.blogspot.com/2016/09/three-ways-to-high-school-credit.html. You ask a good question, Momanita! You don't have to do the entire book. Please see below:
Delete"Covering the material in a textbook does not necessarily mean doing every problem, answering every question, or reading the book from cover to cover, but you should diligently cover the material presented. Some authors calculate teaching 75% of a textbook to equal one credit, but the bottom line is, don't shortchange your child."--------HSLDA So you can focus on the areas of interest, and if you do 75% of the book, then your student has earned one credit of high school science. Feel free to connect with me again here for more issues or questions. Happy 4th!!
Such a helpful article! I love homeschooling high school because my girl is able to fully pursue her interests on her tinetable!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, Christy S. Mine loved the time she had during high school at home to explore a whole bunch of electives! Glad yours in doing that, too!
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