Steps to take for Homeschoolers with teens that removes fear and creates clarity. [ + free planning PDF ]
a story snapshot from over 7 years ago:
I sat in the homeschool convention workshop with my legs crossed and pen ready. My notebook balanced on my knee as I anxiously wiggled my foot. At the time my oldest was 13 and about to be in 8th grade. I had another year but I felt the road to high school getting shorter very quickly.
The speaker took the stage with authority and began sharing from a place of experience and knowledge. As I furiously took notes a clear path begin to emerge in front of me. Clarity coming with the tips, lists on the screen, and curriculum ideas shared in the talk.
I had been overthinking homeschooling high school and unnecessarily put a bunch of fear and frustration into the equation.
“I think I can do this.” I whispered to my friend.
That day began my journey of adjusting my planning and creating realistic expectations to move forward into the new chapter of home education.
The practical nature of the talk and the helpful tips shared made a big impact on me. So with that mindset, I write this post. 😉
Before we continue….
a bit of a disclaimer:
I am not an expert. I do have a BA in Elementary Ed. and I am a homeschool mom who has been teaching for 17+ years. I have successfully graduated 2 high school students, attended many lectures, online classes, and read stacks of books on Highschool Planning.
This is from my experience and understanding of this process. Everything will differ depending on the country and state you live in (and even more so) what your teen plans to do after graduating.
What I am sharing today is aimed for US college bound students wanting a general but broad education and solid transcript for a community college or state school. (I have no idea how to get your kid into Harvard.😜)
As with all my writing, take what is helpful and leave what isn’t. 💙
📋My High School Planning Tips:
1. Creating a transcript map early is essential to successfully planning the 4 years of high school.
Do not wait until you are completing the transcript for college applications in junior year. Start now and know where you are going.
I start planning out High School classes when my teens are in 7th and 8th grade. Obviously I leave plenty of room for changes and adjustments but I want to make sure they are prepared for the classes that they need.
Here is a free printable Transcript Planning Page that I made to help myself and others. Feel free to use it as a place to start. (And please do your own research and planning as well.)
2. Adjust planning to match your child.
One of the many benefits of educating at home is the ability to focus on their interests, where they might be headed, and what type of education matches your homeschool.
When you create that final transcript it should tell a story of what they found interesting, what they invested their time in, and the unique hobbies your child cultivated over the last 4 years. In the planning phase it is important that we make space for that.
Some reflection questions:
- What type of curriculum or teaching works best in your home?
- Where do you see your child being successful after High School?
- What do they need in their education to get them there?
- How do special interests play a role in your schedule?
- Sports / Music / Artistic Hobbies / Engineering focused projects
Look closely at the Electives section on the free printable Transcript Planning Page that I made.
Read the list aloud to your student and see what sparks their attention.
Electives – use extra-curricular activities as well as lean into the student’s interests. Electives can be added by hours spent in instruction and practice of a skill 120 hours = 1 credit / 60 hours = .5 credit. Photography, Karate, Dance, Horse Riding, Home Ec, Automotive Skills, Woodshop, Art History, Psychology, Welding, Video Production, Baking, Drawing & Illustration, Graphic Design, Blogging, Debate, Film Studies, World Religions, Critical Thinking, Robotics, 3D Printing, Drone Operation, Aviation, Game Design, Coding (Python, JavaScript, etc.), Musical Instruments – piano, violin, guitar, bass, drums, ukulele, vocal lessons
3. Pay attention to High School level materials.
Within the variety of curriculum there is a lot of room for struggling learners, students who enjoy lots of reading, those who are mathematical thinkers, advanced placement, honors classes, and artistic gifting. The key is to make sure the content, assignments, tests, and assessments are at a high school level (or above).
Understanding concepts and processing information in rhetoric style thinking are an essential part of the high school years.
It needs to be challenging.
Teens are waiting for someone to ask them to step up and it is our job as teachers and guides to do so.
4. Work yourself out of a job.
The goal at the end of the high school years it to launch your child into the next stage of their future. In the next few years they will be creating a life outside of your home. It is crucial that as a homeschool parent you transition your involvement from one-on-one teacher to a coach with check-ins.
This looks like planning out the curriculum, creating a simple schedule together, and then putting them in charge of getting the work done. It is grading and checking finished work that is turned in without being involved in the completion of that work.
They need space to find rhythms that work for them and also some room to fail.
- Hold strong deadlines and let them feel the frustration of procrastination.
- Keep standards high and make them redo sloppy work.
- Teach them how to look over the schedule and divide up the remaining lessons.
- Show them how to look up meanings for key words and give them plenty of resources to complete assignments independently.
My oldest was shocked when she went to college and the students around her didn’t know how to look at a syllabus and plan out their weekly work.
Giving our kids these skills puts them ahead and gives them confidence in the next phase.
Planning for homeschool high school is a process that gets clearer the more you engage with it.
Start with what you know, make a flexible map, and build from there. Focus on your teen’s strengths, help them grow in responsibility, and keep the big picture in view.
You don’t need to do everything at once.
Just take the next step that makes sense for your family. With time, consistency, and a willingness to adjust, you’ll build an education that fits both your student and your values.
It’s a big job, but you’re not behind, and you’re not alone.
Happy homeschool planning!
Check out my new “Homeschool Tips” tab on my Substack!
I have gathered all my homeschool posts in one place for easy reference.
Homeschool Tips Tab in April’s Substack