.png "Ask the Experts: How Do I Homeschool through High School")
Some people plan to send their kids off to school at that point. Others choose a wait-and-see approach, making the final decision in the middle school years. Then there are those who never give it a second thought, considering homeschooling to be a natural part of parenting.
No matter your initial outlook on homeschooling, eventually you may find yourself asking, "How do I homeschool through high school?"
For the answer, I've turned to the experts - homeschool parents.
A Note about Transitioning to High School
I want to share what Tina of Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus said when I asked her about homeschooling through high school.
I want to share what Tina of Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus said when I asked her about homeschooling through high school.
"Don't give up and turn the teaching reins over to somebody else in the high school years. The metamorphosis from teen to young adult is not a time you want to miss."
She's right! The teenage years are such a fun time because there's this wonderfully wild mixture of a young adult mixed with childish silliness. I just love that stage and I can't imagine missing it.
In The Big Book of Homeschool Ideas, I said this regarding the transition to middle school:
"If you are feeling overwhelmed or second-guessing yourself, please relax. This isn't going to be the huge change you think it will. Just as there was no big difference between third and fourth grade, there is no vast difference between fifth and sixth. It is a natural progression.
While the work will progressively become more difficult, you won't have to teach everything. As they become older, they also become more independent in their homeschool studies. (Remember: Parenting is the one career in which the goal is to work yourself out of a job.) That's not to say that you can't join in and have fun. Just remember there are a lot of resources available to you help you educate your child."
The same applies to high school. Nothing magical happens during the break between finishing 8th grade and beginning 9th. Nothing. You're the same parent. Your child is the same child.
You can do this!
How Do I Homeschool through High School?
Getting Started with Homeschooling High School
The Easy First Step for High School Curriculum Planning"Once you understand that requirements vary by college, then you begin to realize that there is no one right way to do this high school thing. You discover how flexible a high school curriculum can be — and then the task becomes a whole lot easier." -Ann Karako
It’s Not That Hard to Homeschool High School
"The idea of homeschooling high school can be very intimidating, even for those who have homeschooled through all of the elementary years. But you know what? I can truthfully say that it doesn’t have to be that hard, y’all!" -Ann Karako
Plan Your High School Electives ~ FREE PRINTABLE PACK
"Since entering the homeschool high school years with my first child, I have done a lot of research and learning. There are so many things to think about and so many options to choose from! Breaking things down into more manageable steps can help to keep the process from feeling totally overwhelming." - Heidi Ciravola
Preparing to Homeschool High School
"Although I taught in a public high school many years ago, I do admit that moving into ninth grade has given me some anxiety. My umbrella school says I have to have a clear plan before I start the school year with recognized curriculum names. The thought that I can’t homeschool on the fly makes me feel boxed in and nervous." -Jimmie Lanley
Why I Plan to Continue Homeschooling Through High School
"I have only four more years with this child, this young woman. I have invested so many years already. Why would I hang up homeschooling now that I’m so close to the finish line?" -Jimmie Lanley
4 Reasons You Must Include Teens in the High School Planning Process
"By the time your children reach high school, you should be involving them in the planning process for homeschool. Especially if they have been homeschooled for several years leading up to senior high, they need to be given ownership of their studies and allowed to have a say in the what, how, and when." -Jimmie Lanley
Homeschooling in High School via Jolanthe Erb
Homeschooling High School
"Then, and over the past eleven years, I have been asked the same question: “Will you homeschool for high school?” The answer has always been the same: 'We’ll see when we get there.'" -Amber Oliver
Creating a high school plan
"Creating and following a plan still means high schooling will be a lot of fun. But, it also means something else that is very important — it helps avoid the time-wasting swerves, curves, and distractions it takes to get to your destination." -Marie-Claire Moreau
When to start a transcript
"Early transcript prep is one the greatest returns on the high school investment. A great transcript goes a long, long way for your student. I have seen lots of transcripts over the years, so you’ll have to trust me on this one. Your student deserves better than a last-minute, hastily thrown together sheet of paper that barely meets minimum standards." -Marie-Claire Moreau
The How-Tos of Homeschooling High School
Homeschool High School - How to Prepare the Transcript
"Transcripts, like birth certificates are official documents. That means there are some basic things to have on each one but each one will be different from area to area." -Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus
Homeschool High School - the Must-Cover Subjects {Part 1} and {Part 2}
"I assure you this is easier than some books about planning high school make it sound. Bathe in the thought for a minute that there is so much freedom in high school when it comes to planning. Free yourself from any predisposed thoughts about what you think you need to cover in high school." -Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus
Homeschooling High School: Student Led Curriculum
"Together, we’ve chosen living literature, good research materials and expected papers and projects to prove understanding. Sometimes, we’ll pick and choose some meaningful activities from various curriculum we have around the house, but choose not to use any one curriculum as-is." -Cindy West
A Strong Finish to High School
How to Graduate a Homeschooled Student
"Most states consider home schools independent entities which means that you, the homeschooling parent, determine the graduation requirements for your student and, upon completion of those requirements, you can issue your graduate a high school diploma." -Kris Bales
College-Prep High Schooling {series}
"If you’re preparing a high schooler for college, this is the series for you — well, actually for them. Starting tomorrow, for the next five days, I’ll be sharing tips and information guaranteed to catch the attention of college admissions officers — and most likely, scholarship committees, too." -Marie-Claire Moreau
How to Define the Finish Line: Homeschooling High School
"The best place to start is to know where you are heading.
What is it your child wants to do? Do they want to be a nurse? an engineer? welder? paralegal? join the military? or be a firefighter? OK, maybe they don’t know what they want to be when they grow up, and most kids don’t, but then that’s even more reason to educate them so that all their options stay open." -Stephanie Harrington
Follow my Homeschooling High School Pinterest board.
Books to Read
For more helpful tips and how-to posts, check out Ask the Experts at iHomeschool Network.
How about you - what's your best advice for homeschooling through high school? Share in the comments.
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Happy Homeschooling!
There is something infinitely calming when a rough plan is in place. Some little glands inside me just said 'ahhhhh' and relaxed a bit. :) It's been so much fun to talk about with our kids too - and dreaming of their future together and how they envision it.
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