Episode 199: Homeschooling High School…What You Actually Need
For the Busy Mommas…
Links from This Episode
HSLDA Advocates for Homeschooling
So, your oldest is heading into 9th grade. That sentence alone might make your heart race.
You’ve made it through phonics and fractions, but now you’re staring down transcripts, graduation requirements, future college & scholarship applications, and questions and fears like: Holy...Am I even qualified for this?
Let us tell you something: you do not have to...and you SHOULD NOT... replicate public school to give your teen a rich, rigorous, and deeply personal education at home.
What's Required? (01:50)
What’s Required: The Basic High School Framework Nationwide...according to the Google (but for exact information on your state's requirements for YOUR highschooler head to HSLDA.org):
High schoolers typically graduate with 20 – 24 total credits after 4 years
What counts as a “credit” in a homeschool is roughly 120–150 hours or completion of curriculum *repeat that last part* don't get caught up on the hours...and that doesn't even mean every single problem in every single lesson...
A typical credit breakdown over a 4 High School period is:
4 English credits
3–4 Math credits
3 Science credits (often 2 with labs)
3 Social Studies credits (U.S. History, World History, Government/Economics)
1–2 PE/Health credits
1 Fine Arts credit (Music, Drama, Art, etc.)
2–4 Other Elective credits (Foreign Language, Life Skills, Career Ed, etc.)
Transcripts (04:20)
Transcripts can be terrifying...but they don't need to be: Keeping Records the Simple Way
What goes on a transcript?
Student Information
Homeschool Information
Academic Record:
Courses
Credits
Grades
Extra-curricular/volunteer hours
Academic Summary:
GPA
Credits earned
Date of graduation & diploma received
Tools and templates you can actually use
You can get one from HSLDA (here)
Big Picture Planning (05:50)
Planning the Big Picture—Without Losing the Joy because like we said in the beginning of the podcast, this might just be the most rewarding chapter yet!
Building a 4-year plan that fits your teen and your family...You can either look at
Doing this one year at a time
Where they're taking classes that are interest-led with a nod toward core college requirements that are coming down the road.
OR
If your teen already has a SET path (and they know what college they want to attend), then you'll want to...
Look at the college's requirements, and that can help you both know what they need to take.
You can also call the admissions department. Alternatively, you can also schedule an appointment with an academic advisor to get a list.
Leave room for interests, passions, and rest…
This is the last bit of their childhood...maybe it needs protection.
The bottom part of that application will speak to who they are.
Another thing to consider in this "big picture" is dual enrollment, CLEP, or community college.
Dual enrollment: when students can take college classes during their high school to graduate early or get a jump on core classes/degrees they want – usually paid for by the state.
CLEP: taking tests to test out of college courses and gain credits without taking the class if the knowledge is already there.
Community College: A great option for earning your Associate's Degree at a local community college, as it is often more affordable than at other colleges.
Who They're Becoming (11:55)
The Heart of It All
Why high school is about more than academics...it's about raising adults and the lessons and opportunities for growth that come naturally during this season in your child's life...
Like character development
Honesty
Respect
Responsibility
Encouraging Independence
Getting a driver's license
Having more rope/wider boundaries
Testing their decision-making skills
More opportunities outside our home
Life skills
Work experiences
Paying their own expenses (incrementally)
Working on finances – savings, spending, giving
Making large purchases
Social experiences
Dating
Trips with friends & family
Employer/employee relationships
Volunteering
Coaching or Playing Sports
Building on faith foundations & Calling
Ensuring they are still attending church
Family prayer
Praying over them
Strengthening relationships
Ensuring they are still linked to family
Giving your connection opportunities
Prioritizing sibling bonds
Repairing
Communication
Being open to conversations after 10 pm
Giving opportunities for conversations within their control
Being the driver (especially home from events)
*Most of these happen organically...so you can lean in as they come.
Staying connected as your teen grows (and pushes back)
Love them even when they're seemingly unreasonable...it's going to happen a lot
Meeting them where they are and calling them to more
Push back is almost always coming from something deeper
Seeking to put blame somewhere else because they're disappointed or scared
Ask God in prayer today: Lord, what kind of adult do YOU hope my child becomes—and how can this season of their life serve that vision, without stealing our peace?
Grab our Homeschool Plan Like A Mother and fill in the student narratives. It will give you direction for your child's high school transcripts rooted in your values and their character instead of starting from fear of measuring up to an unknown ideal of what high school 'should' look like. As Catherine Johnson says, don't should all over yourself.
And don’t worry about it being perfect—just begin. You’ve got this.
Please let us know if you like the new additions to the student narrative in our Homeschool Plan, 'Like a Mother,' or if you would like tips on choosing a high school curriculum that won’t overwhelm.
