Many homeschoolers begin to panic as they approach the high school years. They fear they can’t continue homeschooling because it’ll be too difficult to teach high school level courses.
I’ve heard other people say they don’t think homeschooling will provide a quality education for their student in their teen years. This is not true!
As parents, we CAN provide an excellent education through homeschooling in the high school years!
I believe there are many good reasons to continue homeschooling through high school or begin homeschooling students that are in high school.
We have four children, two of them were homeschooled all the way through high school and graduated from our homeschool. We ended up sending our middle two children to a charter school in 10th grade because of some serious health problems I was having, and they finished their high school education there. Although the two that went to the charter school did well there, one of them sadly lost his love for learning while he was there. He also told me he felt more challenged at home than he did in the charter school! In hindsight, I wish we had continued with homeschooling for both of them as well as the other two.
I’d like to encourage those who are afraid of homeschooling through high school that it is do-able! With God all things are possible, and He will give you the ability to do whatever He calls you to do! If you’re feeling the nudge to keep homeschooling all the way through high school, let me give you some good reasons to do so.
Home is still one of the best learning environments
One-on-one teaching is still the ideal way to learn. Students are usually less distracted in the home environment. Also, as a parent, we are usually aware if our student doesn’t understand a subject and can let them slow down so they can grasp the concepts better. In other cases, the student is ready to move faster, and they have the freedom to go move ahead more quickly through their educational material.
You have the opportunity to customize your teen’s education by providing resources to explore their interests and develop strengths and skills. There is more flexibility with homeschooling, and this gives your teen more hours for creative endeavors, volunteering, or getting a job. Having the opportunity to pursue their interests often helps students discover a career path that fits them well.
The homeschool environment is a great learning environment because it most closely resembles the real world – it provides opportunity to learn with children of different ages rather than segregating according to age. Your teens will have more time to help with household chores and with younger children, preparing them for real life. Many teens grow in maturity as they help teach a younger sibling.
Another benefit is that you have more time with your student to teach them real life skills that they’ll need when they go out into the world of adulthood.
According to research statistics provided by the Home School Legal Defense Association, using national averages, homeschoolers are achieving 30% higher scores academically (in all subjects) than their public school counterparts in testing. Colleges are seeking out homeschool students because of their excellent academic standing and because they tend to thrive in the college environment.
Homeschooling builds stronger family relationships and gives parents more opportunity to continue teaching godly values
The teen years are a strategic time to cement family relationships that will last a lifetime. With parents as the teen’s primary role model, parents can continue teaching godly values and morals. Most homeschool teens develop mature manners and can interact well with people of all ages. Homeschooled teens are less peer dependent than students who are surrounded by their peers eight hours a day at school.
Homeschooling provides a more positive socialization experience
In the public school, teens are exposed to drugs, violence, bad language and more! There is a lot of peer pressure to conform to whatever the larger group thinks is “cool”. With homeschooling, teens are able to think for themselves and be who they really are, without that pressure to conform.
Parents can help their teens develop important life skills such as evaluating and choosing friends, conflict resolution, and handling romantic relationships. There are many opportunities for socialization in the high school years: church youth groups, boy scouts, girl scouts, 4-H, community orchestra or band, homeschool co-ops, high school sports teams, volunteering, book discussion groups or just getting together with friends.
Homeschooling allows your teen more time to focus on building life skills and investigating their interests
Homeschooling allows your teen to focus on school work with less distractions. This gives them more time in their day to enjoy their own interests and also focus on building life skills they’ll need when they move out. You can tailor their education to help prepare them for life after high school. Let them explore their interests and it may even lead to a career for their future. Our daughter loved to write, so we provided opportunities to improve her writing which led to her becoming a self-published author with her own YouTube channel that helps other aspiring authors.
Help them learn to set goals and manage their time well using our Navigating High School Priority Planner. Walk them through developing needed life skills such as money management, time management, home care skills, interpersonal skills, finding a career, etc. using our Navigating High School Student Guidebook.
Many resources available
Homeschooling through high school might seem like it’s a bit overwhelming, but there are many resources out there to help. Take advantage of seminars available to help with the logistics of record-keeping, grading, planning out the four years of high school, and making a transcript. (And consider attending a homeschool conference in your state!)
You can also accelerate academic learning with homeschooling. Many homeschool teens are ready for college level courses between the ages of 14-16! They can complete high school requirements in less time and move on to college level courses through CLEP testing, DSST testing, AP testing, or PSEO. (Not all states offer Post Secondary Enrollment Option or PSEO, so check your state education website)
There are co-ops or homeschool academies specifically for teens. There are tutors, video teaching tools, and there’s always the possibility that you and a friend can trade off teaching in areas that you are more comfortable in. For example, I know of two families that did a teaching exchange where one mom taught both families’ children creative writing, and the other mom taught piano to both families’ children.
Feeling overwhelmed with choosing curriculum for your teen? Contact me for a high school consultation! I’ll help you set up a high school plan for your student. You can also check out this list of high school resources from HSLDA.org.
Some strategies for success in homeschooling through high school
1) Give your child a college preparatory high school education, then no matter what they pursue, they have the high school education they need. Click HERE to see recommended high school graduation standards.
2) Invest in yourself! Find a place to get some training. Go to your state’s homeschool conference and look for seminars that will help you.
3) Invest in your weaknesses- what is the subject area you are most afraid to teach? Invest in good curriculum to help you or invest in a class for your student for that area of study.
4) Take advantage of the Post-Secondary Education Options (PSEO- Taking college classes for both high school and college credit), if your student is academically ready. Or consider using the CLEP, DSST or AP testing program to get college credits while in high school. Credits Before College is a great resource for you if you’re considering CLEP/DSST.
5) Encourage your teen to grow spiritually and take advantage of opportunities for leadership, volunteering and helping others. Serve together in a ministry of some kind or go on a short-term mission trip together. These things will build great character.
6) Seek God’s help in all your decisions and in your daily life with homeschooling your teen. He will give you wisdom and direction when you seek Him. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths” Proverbs 3:4-5
7) If your student is a struggling learner, homeschooling them through high school can be one of the best ways to help them reach their full potential and help them build confidence for their future endeavors. There are many resources to help you if you’re homeschooling a struggling student.
Homeschooling through high school is a very rewarding and exciting opportunity to see God do great things in your life and in your teen’s life!
Step out in faith and give it a try!
CLICK HEREto download our Guide to Homeschooling the High School Years.
How about you? Do you see other benefits for homeschooling the high school years? Or do you have some tips for those just starting the high school years? Please share them below.