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High School: A Great Time to Homeschool

Would you like to homeschool your children through high school? Are you afraid to try? If so, you are not alone. Many homeschool parents consider quitting after eighth grade because high school “counts for college.” However, thousands of other parents have persevered, and colleges all over America have welcomed homeschool graduates.

Is It for You?

Should you homeschool high school? Before you decide, review your original reasons for homeschooling. Was it for academic excellence, family unity, or spiritual growth? Was it to give your children the freedom to pursue their interests? Whatever your reasons, they are probably still valid. If your main purpose was to replace negative peer influences with positive parental ones, then high school is one of the most important times to homeschool.

Academics

Even though each year brings new academic challenges, teaching high school is not as frightening as it seems. Each grade is just a little bit harder than the one before. If you have come this far, then you can go one more step, and then another, and another. Though the difficulty increases, the rewards multiply as your children grow in knowledge, self-confidence, and responsibility.

With a good curriculum and willing students, you can teach almost anything at home, but if you need help, options are available. For example, students may learn higher-level mathematics, science, foreign languages, and other subjects online or with video programs, computer programs, or textbooks that lend themselves to self-teaching. You may consider hiring a tutor for difficult courses. For science labs, you may buy your own equipment, share expenses for group classes, or send your children to the local community college.

Do You Have Time?

Homeschooling high school should not add a great deal of time to the parent-teacher’s workload, because most high school students take more responsibility for their own learning. While still actively involved in their children’s education, parents increasingly become advisors and facilitators—finding curriculum, monitoring progress, keeping records, guiding course selections, helping students prepare for college entrance exams, and arranging for outside courses and tutors, when necessary.

Personalized Curriculum

One benefit of homeschooling during high school is that you can gear your curriculum to your students’ interests and needs, which will help keep their spirit of wonder and adventure alive. Budding engineers may build backyard bridges or apprentice with professionals. Students who need extra time to master certain subjects can go at their own pace. In areas of strength, they may forge ahead to college textbooks or enroll in Advanced Placement courses. Homeschoolers may even earn dual credit for both high school and college by taking accredited courses at the non-remedial college level in nearby colleges, by correspondence, or over the Internet.

Extracurricular Activities

Admittedly, extracurricular activities are more available at traditional high schools than at home. However, group activities may be available in your area, such as 4-H, a city youth orchestra, or a homeschool debate team. Homeschoolers also have some advantages traditional students miss. For instance, they many participate in apprenticeships, volunteer work, and paid work while other students are at school. They also have the flexibility to go on short-term mission, educational, or performance trips during the school year. Many homeschooled students develop entrepreneurial skills through home businesses.

For homeschool athletes, city, county, or homeschool teams may be available. Even if they are not, the lack of high school sports team experience does not preclude participation in college varsity sports. Coaches will want to see evidence of your students’ athletic talents, but NCAA (National College Athletic Association) eligibility is based solely on academics. The NCAA has special rules to accommodate homeschool students.

What About College?

Perhaps you have heard that colleges penalize homeschoolers during the admission process. My national survey of over 250 selective colleges refutes that assumption. Over 94% of admissions departments would welcome homeschoolers, 91% have accepted homeschoolers, and many actively recruit them. Homeschoolers compare well with, and often outshine, their traditionally schooled peers. Some of the qualities that colleges have observed in homeschoolers include academic strength, self-discipline, responsibility, and maturity.

In most cases, homeschoolers can also qualify for financial aid. If your school is treated as a homeschool or private school under your state law, then your homeschool graduates are eligible to apply for federal aid, as well. Colleges also offer private scholarships, and several now offer homeschool scholarships.

Records and Transcripts

Most admissions departments require written documentation of applicants’ high school coursework and extracurricular activities. Although some homeschool parents are nervous about writing transcripts, over two-thirds of colleges will accept parent-prepared documentation. Once you know how, high school records and transcripts are easy to write. (My book Homeschooling High School: Planning Ahead for College Admission gives detailed instructions.)

Even if a college will not accept your transcript, homeschoolers may receive transcripts, and in some cases diplomas, through umbrella schools, correspondence schools, or community colleges. With challenging coursework that has been verified by one of these sources and good SAT and/or ACT scores, your students would be welcomed at most colleges.

Final Preparation for Adulthood

Even though there are many advantages, the best reason to homeschool high school is that the teen years are the final preparation for adulthood. Parental influence is crucial at this stage of development, because teens are so easily influenced by their peers and teachers.

At home you can ensure that your high schoolers develop personal, financial, and civic responsibility. They can practice survival skills such as cooking, laundering, and car maintenance. As you prepare your students to deal with conflicting ideas that they may face in college or the workplace, you can filter ideas through your worldview. Your teens at home will have the freedom to develop confidence in who they are and what they believe as they continue to enjoy close relationships with family members. Best of all, the daily contact you have at home will help you keep the communication lines open as your children become increasingly independent.

Homeschooling high school is a huge commitment, but if you have homeschooled before, you already know the price of commitment. You have also seen some of the fruits of your labor. Why quit while you’re ahead? If you have not homeschooled before, high school is an exciting time to start.

Jeanne Gowen Dennis is a speaker and the author of Homeschooling High School: Planning Ahead for College Admission.