HOMESCHOOLING BEGINS WITH HOME

HOMESCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL

Homeschooling Articles series themes:

• Relationship
• Stewardship
• Scholarship
• Easy Homeschool Record Keeping
  • Elementary and Middle School
  • High School (This article)
    

How does a busy mom plan to homeschool high school, let alone prepare a high school transcript?

These tasks can seem daunting at first, and many emotions can overpower clear thinking.

I know I felt overwhelmed when my oldest child entered the high school years in 2005 but not quite so overwhelmed as my second child began high school in 2008.

However, because I purposefully homeschooled (i.e., developed relationships and encouraged responsible stewardship) in the early years, my children had the maturing character and we had developed the solid relationships necessary to move forward together with scholarship.

As I began to tackle the academics of the homeschool high school years with my children, I felt more than inadequate especially in the science and composition areas. My oldest child is now in college and she is a science major, much to my surprise!

What I learned through my daughter’s high school years has helped me to relax a little more with my second child, who is also math/science oriented.

1. Skills development continues to mastery.
   • Mom’s role changes from primary skills teacher to a facilitator and mentor, as the high schooler assumes primary stewardship of her education.

   • Skills mastery—not grades—is the focus. Skills mastery will be reflected on the SAT and ACT tests.

2. Knowledge acquisition reflects each child’s individuality.
   • Mom doesn’t have to know a subject in order to teach it because, as she did through the elementary and junior high years, mom learns right along with her children.

   • Knowledge content is only introductory (mastery not required) and will serve as the foundation for deeper study of choice in college.

   • Each child’s unique bent will be reflected in the knowledge she chooses to acquire.

3. Steadfast children are responsible.
   • Developing a love of learning sets the stage for children to acquire their own academic education.

   • A love of study springs from a love of learning.

   • Study skills are refined during the college years.

4. College Admissions counselors use the SAT, ACT, and community college credits more than the homeschool high school transcript for admissions evaluation.

   My daughter and I attended a seminar for homeschoolers in our area. Six or seven college admissions representatives presented their criteria for admissions and answered questions. Each representative agreed that homeschoolers need not submit a portfolio of work. In fact, two or three of the admissions counselors indicated that they only looked at a homeschool high school transcript one to two minutes because of the volume of papers they must review; portfolios are simply filed. College admissions representatives suggested that homeschoolers submit a one- or two-page transcript plus the SAT, ACT, SATIIs (if desired), and AP and CLEP results (if desired) because they base their admissions decisions on the results of these types of tests.

   Our Process My daughter submitted a one-page transcript, SAT and ACT scores, plus the grades from her community college work. This documentation was sufficient for admission to her college of choice, a State University of New York (SUNY) honors college in our area. Your Process Check with the Admissions Departments at the colleges to which your child wants to apply to determine what they need for admissions evaluations. It may save you a lot of time, Mom!

I am assured that, like his older sister, he will continue to develop his study skills in college and choose friends and mentors wisely as he pursues his interests to the glory of God.

Additional homeschooling articles themes:

• Relationship
• Stewardship
• Scholarship
• Easy Recordkeeping
  • Elementary and Middle School

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