Homeschooling High School? What You Should Know
As a homeschool parent, few things can be as daunting as the idea of homeschooling high school. There are so many more things to think about when you're homeschooling a high schooler compared to the lower levels of education. If you want to be sure that your child has the foundation they need from their high school years, there are a few things that you need to consider. Here are a couple of the things to think about as you prepare for homeschooling the high school years.
Know Your State's Requirements
The first step toward planning your child's high school education is to understand your state's requirements. The requirements for homeschool graduation vary by state, with some states having minimal requirements or leaving it up to the homeschooling parent. Other states have strict regulations for courses, credit hours, and more.
Take some time to go through the details of your state's laws and plan your lessons for each high school year accordingly. You may have certain subjects that are mandatory each year, or there may be credit hour mandates that you have to follow. Understanding these requirements ensures that you have the documentation and details necessary for your annual evaluation and to create acceptable transcripts.
Consider Your Child's Plans
Another important part of homeschooling high school is knowing what your child wants to do after graduation. After all, a teen that is college-bound will want to take a different approach to their high school education than one who is planning on a trade school or family business.
If your teen is planning on college, make sure that you review the details of their college preferences so that you know what they look for during admissions reviews. That way, you can tailor their high school years and extracurriculars accordingly.
Research Dual Enrollment Options
One of the most popular options for homeschoolers who are considering homeschooling high school is dual enrollment. That means your child is enrolling in college classes for high school credit. This can allow your child to graduate from high school with an Associate's degree if they should choose to do so.
These are some of the most important things to think about when you're preparing to homeschool high school with your teenagers. Don't let the idea of the high school years intimidate you. With the right planning and preparation, you'll be able to approach the high school education years with confidence.