Homeschooling High

School – Yes You Can!

Sherry Veach

Let’s Begin

• Is your child under 6th grade?

• Between 6th-8th?

• Already in high school?

• If possible, it’s good to start thinking about

high school by 5th grade

• It is never too late to succeed even if you are

pulling a high school student out of school

and homeschooling for their senior year!

Is your

child

younger

than 6th

grade?

• Take a look at state requirements just so you

are familiar with them

• Take an objective look at problems

• Is your child struggling with a particular

educational element, i.e. reading, writing, or math

skills

• Now is a good time to seek some help or at least

an evaluation – find the tools to help your children

with any learning challenges

• Really enjoy these years! They may feel

stressful to you at this moment, but I really

miss those years of serendipity.

Is your

child in 6th-

8th grade?

• Take a look at state requirements just so you

are familiar with them

• Begin to make a plan for the high school years

especially with an 8th grader

• Address any problems now to make high

school go more smoothly

• If you are not already doing so, begin to grade

their work and keep records – this does not

need to be as thorough as in high school, but

it will get you and your child used to doing it

• Think about and plan for your child’s

strengths and weaknesses

Is your

child

already in

High

School?

• Take a look at state requirements so you are familiar with them

• Now decide what you already have completed and think about what you still need to cover and make a plan to cover that

• Make a record of everything that you and your child can think of even if you think it isn’t important (e.g. scouting, church callings, service, work, etc.)

• Take some interest/career surveys to get an idea of what your child might like to do –these are not set in stone, but can give you some much needed direction and help your discouraged child see that they are good at things

State High School Requirements

• Every state is a little different – NC has no requirements for homeschoolers to graduate from high school, but public schools need 20-21 credits.

• A credit is 130-160 hours in one class or 75% of a textbook completed

• It’s wise to act as if the child is going to college so that no matter what they choose they will be ready.

• Think about your child’s strengths and interests and plan their high school curriculum accordingly.

College Prep

Requirements

Math: 3-4 Credits: Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Trigonometry, Calculus, Stats

English: 4 credits

History or Social Studies: 3-4 credits

Science: 2-4 credits (1-2 must be a lab science)

Foreign Language: 2 credits

PE: 0-2 credits

Fine Arts: 0-1 credits

Electives: test prep, keyboarding, computer programming, etc

Let’s start with math!

• Math drives the science curriculum

• Biology needs no math

• Complete Algebra 1 before beginning chemistry

• Complete Geometry and Algebra 2 before beginning physics

Year-round math? Let me make a case…

• The first third of every textbook is review

• If you do math year-round you can test out of the first third of every math book and depending on the age of the child you can get an extra 2-3 years of math completed OR

• You can use summer to help struggling students solidify knowledge and not forget concepts

• Use different programs to flesh out math education – ie. Saxon vs. AOPS; Math-U-See vs. Life of Fred, etc

• Don’t force math progression better to master algebra than complete calculus and not be able to multiply multi-digit numbers!

• Summer can still be summer even if kids do an hour of math a day and then are free the rest of the day.

Don’t Rush Math

• Master arithmetic, everyday math, and algebra, then if there is time move on

• It’s OK to leave calculus for college

• Most homeschoolers only complete math through Algebra 2

• Better statistics than calculus

• Up to 60% of incoming Freshman need remedial math or English classes

• Needing remedial math is not the goal, but it is also not a block to college

English

• 3-4 credits of:

• American Lit

• British Lit

• World Lit

• Short Stories

• Poetry

• Drama

• Writing

History or Social Studies

• 3-4 Credits of:

• American History – usually required

• American Government – usually required

• European History

• World History

• Geography

• Economics

Science

• 2-3 Credits of: 1-2 need to be a lab science

• Biology

• Chemistry

• Physics

• Anatomy

• Astronomy

• Geology

Foreign Languages

• 2+ Credits of:

• Any spoken language: Spanish, German, French, Italian, Mandarin, Arabic, Russian

• Ancient Languages: Latin or Greek

Physical Education

• 0-2 Credits of:

• You can use sports teams here or as Extra Curricular but not both

Fine Arts

• 0-2 Credits of:

• Music: history, theory, or performance

• Art: drawing, painting, photography, sculpture

Electives

• To make 20-21 credits:

• Choose things to show your child’s strengths, talents or passions

• These can be extras of math, English, science, history, languages

• Or they can be completely non-academic classes like computer programming, keyboarding,

test prep, accounting, Drivers Ed, Home Ec, auto mechanics, horticulture, etc.

Make a 4 Year Plan

• It helps to do this in or before the 8th grade

• Include your child in the planning process

• The Plan is flexible and can change as needed, but this gives you and your

child an idea of where you are going and what needs to be accomplished

• It also helps to have a plan in case you hit a bump and get behind

• Use summers to catch up if needed or use them to flesh out your transcript/high

school CV

Research Curriculum

• The internet is your friend – read a lot of reviews both good and bad

• Conventions – go to as many curriculum fairs as you can

• Ask friends and Facebook groups for ideas

• Network at LDSHE

• You can even ask the “Old Dogs” – we’ve been around the block a time or two and are happy to share what we learned the hard way

• Don’t forget to pray!

The Pros

and Cons

of Online

Classes

• Pros:

• They teach what you are weak in

• They free you up to teach younger children

• They teach children to work with outside teachers

and to work in a classroom with deadlines

• They give objective grading of your child’s work

• Many of them will help your child learn the pace

of a college-level class

• Generally, your child is completely responsible for

all correspondence with the teacher

The Pros

and Cons

of Online

Classes

• The Cons:

• You lose the flexibility that most of us love about

homeschooling

• If you have a family emergency/crisis you have to

keep going with the online class

• They often take more time than you would

normally give to the subject

• Generally, your child is completely responsible for

all correspondence with the teacher

• They can be quite expensive

The Pros and Cons of Dual Enrollment

• The Pros:

• It frees you up to teach younger children

• Efficient: You get college credit and high school credit for the same class

• Your high schooler learns to work in a classroom setting and with a teacher

• Cost effective: you get college credit for a much cheaper price

• Credits transfer to state schools

• Builds confidence

• Makes college attainable

• Allows exploration: Students can determine if they like an area of study without the cost associated with college

• Graduate early or with a double major

• More likely to continue their education: 88% of dual enrollment students go on to complete their college education

The Pros and Cons of Dual Enrollment

• The Cons:

• You lose control of the curriculum

• It is a college-level setting so things may be taught that you don’t approve of

• Driving may be an issue

• Your child may need to spend more time than you would normally spend on that topic

• Credits may not transfer

• Becomes part of the child’s official transcript even if they don’t do well

• Provides the student with less repetition

• Limited choices

• Miss out on the process of college

• May impact athletic eligibility

Everything

Else

SERVICE LEADERSHIP WORK

ARTS SPORTS

Documentation

• The Sticky Note method

• The Spreadsheet

• The Calendar

• Document everything even if you think you

won’t need it!

What

About

Testing?

• Every student should take college entrance

exams in high school

• Take them at least by spring of Junior year, but

preferable to take them fall of Junior, spring of

Junior and maybe fall of Senior if needed

• Returned missionaries forget a lot of math

• You can always re-take them after a mission, but if

they are done you don’t have to worry about it

• A test prep class can be a real help. There are

a lot of them so do your research.

What

About

Testing?

• The Big Four

• PSAT/NMSQT (only fall of Junior year is used

for National Merit Qualifying)

• SAT

• SAT2 (Subject Tests)

• ACT

• And One More

• CLT – Classical Learning Test especially for

students using Classical Education

• You may also want to consider

• AP and/or IB

Research

Colleges

and Career

Tracks

• Research before you apply

• Applications are expensive and it’s cheaper and

wiser to do your homework before applying

• Not everyone needs to go to college

• Career Tracks without college – just to name a few

• Electricians, plumbers, carpenters, contractors, auto

mechanics

• Dental hygienist, nurses aides, cosmetologists,

photographers

Not Every Person Needs to go to CollegeU.S. Undergraduate Degree Categories by Median Annual Earnings

• Architecture and engineering: $85,000

• Computers, statistics, and mathematics: $80,000

• Business: $67,000

• Physical sciences: $66,000

• Health: $66,000

• Social sciences: $62,000

• Biology and life sciences: $57,000

• Agriculture and natural resources: $57,000

• Communications and journalism: $57,000

• Law and public policy: $56,000

• Humanities and liberal arts: $53,000

• Industrial arts, consumer services, and recreation: $53,000

• Arts: $50,000

• Psychology and social work: $47,000

• Education: $46,000

• Source: Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce

15 Tech Degrees by Average Annual Earnings

• Computer and Information Services - In-field earnings: $70,400

• Aviation - In-field earnings: $65,600

• Electronics - In-field earnings: $61,700

• Drafting In-field earnings: $59,600

• Police/Protective Services - In-field earnings: $55,500

• Refrigeration, Heating or Air Conditioning - In-field earnings: $53,900

• Construction Trades - In-field earnings: $51,000

• Agriculture/Forestry/Horticulture - In-field earnings: $47,800

• Auto Mechanics - In-field earnings: $45,600

• Metalworking - In-field earnings: $45,000

• Transportation & Materials Moving - In-field earnings: $44,300

• Business/Office Management - In-field earnings: $40,000

• Health Care - In-field earnings: $30,600

• Cosmetology - In-field earnings: $25,200

• Food Service - In-field earnings: $17,600

• Source: Georgetown CEW Survey of Income and Program Participation

Excellent Article for Those Considering Trade

Schools

Don’t Forget Life Skills

• Money: Paychecks, bank accounts, budgeting, credit cards, taxes, investing

• Health: doctor & dental visits, sleep, eating well, exercise, insurance

• Home: cooking, cleaning, laundry, yard work, maintenance

• Cars: gas, maintenance, insurance, loans

• Time Management: calendars, schedules, commitments, dependability, getting

themselves up in the morning

Just Take the Next Step

• As a child moves thru elementary and middle school you don’t worry about

grade level. Each year you simply take the next step with each child wherever

they happen to be.

• There is nothing magical about 9th grade! You are going to continue to take

the next step. If a child is not ready for algebra in 9th grade you aren’t going

to start algebra just because they start 9th grade.

Be Calm and Carry On

And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the

things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord

giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he

shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he

commandeth them..

“The Lord organized the family unit in the beginning. He intended that the home be the center of learning--that the father and mother be teachers. . .

As prophetic events unfold, one thing is certain: we will all need to teach more within the walls of our own

homes. . .” Theodore Tuttle, Ensign Nov 1979, p. 27

I Would Do It All Over Again!

• Here’s what I would do differently

• Less anxiety and pressure especially on my oldest

• I would not let read-aloud fall to the bottom of the totem pole. I think high schoolers benefit from read-aloud every day!

• Fewer online classes

• More travel

• I’m glad I did

• Gospel Study every day

• Read Aloud

• Travel

• Co-ops

• History Videos during lunch

• Year Around school

• Sharing my testimony every day

Watch in Awe