How to Homeschool in High School

High School is an exciting time. Your kids are growing independent and mature (at least that is the hope!), and they are on the brink of adulthood. Now, the question is, how do I homeschool through high school?

Introduction

My oldest child is experiencing this momentous time right now. The change from boy to teen happened so quickly. It seems I blinked my eyes, and he transformed from a little boy into this towering, handsome young man. Maybe you feel the same?

In this post, I hope to dive into the details of how to homeschool in high school. I delve into my personal journey and our decisions in high school in another post.

Many Options for Homeschooling in High School

The freedoms we have in homeschooling are very exciting during the High School years! Because of these freedoms, we can map out an incredible high school journey for our teens. Additionally, we can enjoy this journey with them because we homeschool. Take a look at the many options available, and then we will delve into the steps to make it happen.

1. At Home with Books & Paper

Curriculum and textbooks are out there waiting for students to consume them! Today, the options are extensive based on learning styles, budgets available, and family goals. Consequently, the freedom to homeschool in high school is both accessible and available.

My list of top High School Curriculum choices are based on my reading and annual research. I find homeschool conventions to be an excellent opportunity for searching and sampling a variety of these curriculum books. Take advantage of your local conventions in this way! If your student is getting into the 5th & 6th Grade years, be adventurous and take a look at the high school books that may become their future study!

2. At Home Online

Just as textbooks are readily available for homeschoolers, now online learning has become very extensive and competitive! Competition creates better product in my opinion. Learning online is an excellent way to homeschool in high school.

Five of the six of my top High School Curriculum are online courses. These choices very much reflect our personal homeschool journey, but I believe they are excellent choices for any high school homeschooler.

Some benefits to working online include:

• Online gradebooks (automatically figured)
• Experience with other teachers/tutors
• E-mail support from the parent companies
• Printable pdf’s and forms readily available
• Forums / Being a part of an online group of students
• Individual responsibility and ownership

3. Hybrid

While homeschooling at home and online are excellent options, the freedom to get involved in classes or extracurricular at a local school is also available to you! The extent and possibility will depend upon state laws and the school’s policy. Learning about these options will involve some research, and in my experience, I have found that relationships with people in the community help me learn. I explain more about my experience in small-town Illinois in my personal journey blogpost.

Have conversations with friends about their child’s school experience; the teachers and staff they enjoy, the extracurricular activities available to their children, etc. Go to some of the musical concerts or sporting events at that school. Teens can get involved in so many things!

• Marching Band
• Choir
• Poms
• Volleyball
• Football
• Soccer
• Welding Class
• Spanish Class
• Home Economics
• Computer Basics
• Drivers Ed
• and so much more!

Whether public or private, the teachers and mentors that lead these classes and activities are important factors when making decisions for your homeschool. You can choose to learn about these leaders or let fate decide. With the freedoms available, your family can choose which decision is best.

4. Dual Enrollment or Dual Credit

When planning ahead for college, dual credit is a great option to consider! This will save money and time. The cost of college credits are considerably less when taken during the high school years. These credits will count both on the high school transcript and for college. Some states even offer free dual credit opportunities (Minnesota, Ohio, for example.)

In my research, I have found Grand Canyon University to offer a very competitive program for dual enrollment courses. Their admissions office is resourceful and friendly to homeschoolers. Find out more about their Dual Enrollment program on their website at gcu.edu.

5. Testing for College Credit

CLEP Tests and AP Tests are a great option for earning college credit. The possibilities are so varied and very exciting.

Key Facts for CLEP Testing

• Thirty-four CLEP tests are available in five subject areas.
• The tests are available on the computer.
• Tests can be taken any time of the year.
• Anyone can take the test (high school, college, adults, anyone!)
• The cost is $89, which is much less than the cost of a college class.
• Find out more about CLEP testing on their website.

ModernStates.org offers free online courses that prepare for the tests. After taking their course, you can apply for a voucher to take the CLEP test for FREE. With planning and preparation, your high school student can save both money and time by utilizing this opportunity!

Key Facts for AP Testing

• Exams are held in May of each year.
• The exams are given at high schools and exam centers.
• Exams are available to students even if they are not part of an AP course.
• Research the AP Ledger to find out where the exams are offered.
• More information about the AP Exam for homeschoolers.

AP tests offer additional subjects that may differ from the CLEP. These tests vary on availability within the schools that offer AP classes. Your homeschool student is welcome to sign up for the test. With careful planning, this can be another valuable asset in your teen’s high school years.

6. Homeschool Co-Ops

Depending on availability in your area, Co-Ops are another option when Homeschooling in High School. A Co-Op may offer classes led by a Teacher or Moderator. I have personally seen Speech, Debate, Apologia Science, History, Writing, Choir, and Spanish offered in an hour radius from my home. Attending a Co-Op comes with commitment to the schedule and course work. As with all options available, there are pros and cons to attending a Co-Op. The decision depends upon your families season and needs. The freedom to chose what you will be a part of is a gift and blessing when it comes to homeschooling in high school.

7. More Options

• Tutoring services (local or online).
• Living Books organized into a determined study for credit.
• Internships & Career shadowing
• Life Experiences within the community or abroad
• Piloting Classes
• Starting a Blog & Entrepreneurship
• Public Speaking Opportunities such as Preaching or Teaching.

This list is not exhaustive. The opportunities for Homeschool in High School are as extensive as our imaginations and as large as our dreams. Take on these years with purpose and intentionality. This time is so short, and yet so valuable. Enjoy the freedoms you have to homeschool during these precious high school years. You can do it!

What you Need to Homeschool in High School

Know the State Laws/Requirements

Your state laws for homeschool can be found easily online. I found excellent information at HSLDA.org. They are the leading legal advocate for homeschoolers across America, and they stand by their members. Check out their State Law details at HSLDA.org/legal.

In IL, the laws are pretty straight-forward about which subjects need to be included in your homeschool:

• Language arts
• Math
• Biological and physical sciences
• Social sciences
• Fine arts
• Physical development and health

This list leaves so much flexibility in designing your high school transcript; Flexibility of credit hours, class choices, methods, and more. The transcript can be tailored to your student within these requirements. I found this excellent pdf guide for IL high school graduation requirements in the schools. I also found these tips for creating your 4-year plan and transcript (with samples) on HSLDA’s High School Series.

Keeping Records & Creating Transcripts

As for transcripts, I have found an excellent resource made my Jamie Erickson called, Brave High School Record Keeping. For a small fee, she provides the forms and instructions for keeping great records of grades and designing your child’s transcript.

There are many free transcript forms out there as well. I looked up our local high school’s guidance office webpage and found helpful forms and guides to creating a 4 year plan. It’s helpful to know what others are putting together. It’s also key to know your rights and freedoms.

You Can Do This!

Half the challenge in taking on homeschool in high school is believing that you can do this! First, the mind is powerful. In fact, the mind will determine your future decisions and actions. It’s not only about knowing the tools available to you, but also about believing you and your family can take on this great feat.

Second, planning and preparing for homeschool in high school is important. Believe you can do it, and start making plans! Imagine your home and family. That is to say, plan out how a high school career will work for your teenage child, how it will work for you, and how it will work for the rest of your family.

Plans involve both research and action. Begin asking questions, searching online, and talking to other homeschoolers who have gone before. Articles like this one can give you direction as you imagine what your homeschool will look like. Seeing the plans in your mind is the beginning to action and activity that is to follow.

What is it like for Teens to Homeschool in High School?

Homeschool gives such freedom to a family; to the parents, to the children, and the teenagers.

To the parents, because they know they can choose what and how their children will learn in the subjects of history, science, math, and more.

To the child, because they have more time to be home to talk with siblings, relatives, parents and friends, more time to play, and more time to explore their interests.

And to the teenager, because they too will have more conversations with siblings, relatives, parents, and friends, more time to explore their interests, and more opportunities and choice when it comes to their schooling. As a result, they will have multiple advantages that will help launch them into adulthood.

School is just one of the many stepping stones that lead to their future. Take the opportunity to explore careers. Experience responsibility in real life situations. Challenge your skills with dual credit courses or testing. Homeschooling in high school will only serve to enhance their future.

Meanwhile, homeschool will give ample opportunities to develop character as they interact with multiple age groups (siblings, older/younger peers, adults & mentors), debunking one of the greatest reasons people give against homeschool: socialization. In fact, the best way to learn how to socialize with people is by homeschooling. But more about that in another post.

How Much Will it Cost?

Opportunities abound to accomplish homeschooling at a reasonable cost. For example, the free online courses available at modernstates.org can be counted as credit on a high school transcript, especially after the test is taken and passed. Another example would be registering for a class at the local public school of residence.

Curriculum ranges from inexpensive to expensive depending on the format or books involved. Below are some examples of curriculum costs from various publishers.

Subject	Publisher/Title	Format	Sample Cost
Algebra 1	DiveIntoMath.com	Online	$139.00
American History	CompassClassroom.com	Online	$120.00
World History	Story of the World	Book	$54.00
Apologia Science	Apologia.com	Book	$98.00
Computer Programming	KhanAcademy.org	Online	FREE
American Literature	CompassClassroom.com	Online	$50.00
Literature	BJUPress.com	Book	$137.00
Grammar	Fix It Grammar	Book	$29.00

In addition to browsing the publisher’s website for prices, samples, and more, I enjoy searching for lower costs. Coupons, Free Shipping offers, Free 30-day trials, and used curriculum are just a sampling of what you can find when searching for discounts. Used curriculum can be found at a local homeschool sale or online at ebay.com, thriftbooks.com, amazon.com, abebooks.com, and more. Borrowing books from the library or from other homeschooling families is another great option to cut costs.

Dual Credit courses can range anywhere from $52.50 per credit to $450.00 per credit depending on the college. Some states offer free dual enrollment opportunities. Be sure to check online on college websites. Type “Dual enrollment” in their search bar for quick access to their available options.

How to Choose Curriculum for High School

Curriculum is to a homeschooler as books are to a librarian! Attend your local Homeschool Convention to find a treasure trove of curriculum in the vendor hall. Taking a look at the books is so helpful when making decisions about which curriculum to use. Come prepared with notes, lists, and a budget.

In preparation for the trip to the store, be sure to do research online. In fact, you can find great reviews of curriculum at both rainbowresource.com and cathyduffyreviews.com. As I’ve looked at webpages, I have found that the best sample pages are available on christianbooks.com. Many publishers offer downloadable samples on their sites, while others offer free video lessons or trials.

• Compass Classroom
• Masterbooks
• Teaching Textbooks
• DIVE into Math and Science with Dr. Shormann
• Apologia
• Institute of Excellence in Writing

The Pros and Cons of Homeschooling in High School

The Pros have been mentioned throughout this post. To summarize them clearly, I’ve listed them below:

• Flexibility
• Choice
• Opportunity
• Time for Relationships
• FREEDOM

“We do these things not because they are easy but because they are hard.”

John F. Kennedy

The Cons depend on perspective (as do the Pros). In my opinion, the best place for your teenager, is home. To be fair, I’ve listed some cons that are probable depending on the circumstances.

• Preparation Time Involved
• Possible sacrifice of 2nd Full Time Income/Career
• Hard work
• Having to face problems in the home head on (This could be considered a Pro!)
• Being ‘different’ or Loneliness (finding community in Homeschool is important).

Again, the pros and cons depend on perspective. We have a quote from President John F. Kennedy hanging on the inside of our front door. It reads: “We do these things not because they are easy but because they are hard.” Homeschooling in high school is not easy. It is hard work. Above all, it is worth it!

“Hardship often prepares an ordinary person for an extraordinary destiny.”

C. S. Lewis

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

To homeschool in high school is to take on the best opportunity and the greatest blessing a parent can experience with their teenager. I firmly believe this to be true.

These short years are a time of reflection, activity (SO many activities), vitality, hopefulness, and relationship. The time we invest in our young people today will reap such gifts for tomorrow, not only between parent and child, but between siblings, family members, friends (meaningful and deep friendships), and between them and their Creator.

Don’t miss this opportunity. Be brave! Know that many have gone before you successfully. Know you CAN homeschool in high school!

Do you have any further questions? Please share in the comments below. I’d love to talk with you and hear your story.

Keep Walking Friend,

Christina