Homeschooling High School

As we approach the end of our homeschooling  journey with our first child, I am sometimes asked questions about how we prepared for high school and how we have gone about teaching high school.  This is what we have done so far (or what others have done and recommended to us):

Grades K-6:  Sit down with your spouse;  together figure out and record your reasons for homeschooling.  Why are you doing this?  What do you hope to accomplish?  What do you want your children to be when they graduate?  As Christians, it is helpful to include a verse that synopsizes this, if you are able.  Ours is Col. 2:8 -- "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ."

Grades 7-8:  Look ahead to high school.  Attend convention workshops that address the how to's of homeschooling high school, planning for high school, writing a transcript, giving grades and credits, etc.  There is a great one-day conference co-sponsored by HSLDA in Indianapolis every autumn addressing homeschooling high school.  I highly recommend that you go at least once. 
             Also take this time to evaluate your child's preparation for high school work.  These two years can be used to focus on and strengthen any weak areas so that your child is capable of high school level work when he gets there.
             Finally, continue to build your relationship with your child.  When he gets to high school, he will naturally want to spend more time with friends.  He may get a job or choose to participate in public school sports.  Building close ties with him now will keep those crucial lines of communication open for when he has questions or concerns about what he sees in the world or in the lives of his friends. 

Grade 9: With your student's input, write a general plan of what classes he will take during high school.  HSLDA has guidelines on what students should take in high school, depending on what they are interested in pursuing after high school (military, college, or work force).  This is not set in stone, but it does give you a guideline to follow so that you don't leave out anything that your student might need.  As you do this, keep your child's interests in mind.  My eldest really does not like science or math, but she loves the humanities.  She has asked not to take science or math her senior year.  Most guides recommend for college-prep students to take all the science and math that they can, but she will not be taking either her last year.  However, she will be taking two English classes and two different foreign language classes, and in college she will probably major/minor in those.

Grade 10:  Many people have recommended doing the PSAT this year.  We did not do that, but you will have to make your own decision about whether or not it is a good choice for your child.  The PSAT is only offered in October, and you usually have to sign up with a school well in advance.  (Maybe even the June beforehand)
             This is a good time to check out books from the library about preparing for college.  The Dayton Library system has many -- both general books and those written specifically for homeschoolers. 
              This is also a good time to take your child to a college fair.  NACAC holds one in Columbus each spring.  Last year, I had my child look at the websites for the registered colleges, choose about a dozen that looked good to her, and then we visited the booths for those schools at the fair. 

Grade 11:  This year's PSAT is also the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, so if your child is interested, you will need to register for that.  Also, your student will want to take the ACT or SAT in the spring.  AP exams are also offered in the spring if your student is taking any of those. 
            This is a good time to plan for college visits.  If you can schedule time to go during the school year, your child can sit in on a class of his choice, giving him an idea of what a college class will be like. 

Grade 12:  Fall semester, have your child take the ACT/SAT if he hasn't yet or is hoping for a better score.  Then it is time to start on college applications, scholarship applications, and the FAFSA form (unless you go to a school that doesn't take federal financial aid, such as Hillsdale College, in which case there are financial aid forms specific to the school).  In the Spring semester, AP exams are held if your child is taking AP classes.  Then you get to plan graduation!  HSLDA has caps, gowns, and diplomas for purchase.  Some choose a private graduation ceremony; CHEO holds a statewide homeschool graduation as well, if your child wants to participate in a more traditional ceremony.