Homeschooling feels manageable during the preschool and early elementary years, but parents become increasingly anxious as high school approaches. The stakes feel higher, and the idea of being responsible for teaching their children advanced subjects beyond their own personal scope of knowledge begins to erode earlier confidence.
This post is sponsored by Northwest University.
Thankfully, the research is on your side. Homeschooled children routinely enter college well-prepared for the rigor. But it takes some work on your end to ensure your child’s homeschooled high school experience aligns with their goals for higher education.
Here are some best practices to keep in mind as you homeschool your teen.
Include Career Exploration. It’s impossible to know what you’re shooting for unless you have a goal in mind. Just as every child’s homeschool experience is unique, so is their post-high school plan. Incorporate career exploration into your child’s curriculum so your teen can learn about different career paths & ladders, realistic salary expectations, and professional training requirements. Guide them as they learn about their specific interests, and be careful about projecting your dreams or expectations onto your child. While you shouldn’t expect a 16-year-old to know exactly what they want to do for the rest of their life, this process will give you an idea of what their post-high school career will look like, and help you set the goal posts for their homeschool education accordingly.
Do Your Admissions Research. Learn about what higher education institutions expect when making admissions decisions. Most require a certain number of English, Math, Science, and Foreign Language credits – in addition to other things. Even if you are following your state’s guidelines for high school graduation, your child may be short in some of these credits if you don’t pay attention. Many of the college admissions standards are higher than the basic requirements for a high school diploma, so if your child is planning for college after high school, make sure they’re getting enough content in the subject areas they need. Pro tip: Outsource this task by making your child do the research and having them present it to you.
Keep Detailed Records. Homeschool documentation requirements vary widely by state. Keep detailed, organized records of your child’s high school-level work in case verification of their education is requested.
Have a Plan. Don’t worry if you’re not Type-A. You don’t have to have your child’s entire high school career mapped out in detail by their thirteenth birthday. However, you should have some semblance of a plan put together of how and when you’re going to hit the necessary content areas over the course of your child’s high school years.
Take the ACT/SAT: We get it. Standardized tests aren’t always the best measure of preparedness but the fact remains that institutions of higher education still rely heavily on them in the admissions process as a tool to determine college readiness. If your child is college bound, have them take the ACT or SAT test (or just start with online practice tests) to give you an idea of whether your child is on the right track or if they have areas that need improvement.
Give Them Space to Fail (A Little): If you’re accustomed to micromanaging your child’s schedule – STOP. This is the best thing you can do to prepare your child for college, as they’ll be responsible for meeting teacher expectations and timelines on their own. Allow your teenager to have control of their own schedule (even if that means they prefer doing the bulk of their schoolwork between the hours of 11pm-3am and it drives you crazy). Let them learn what works for them, allow them to feel the stress that comes from procrastinating a large project, and don’t shield them from the consequences of poor time management. It will be far less painful for them to learn hard lessons in self-discipline under your roof than when they’re truly on their own in college.
Prioritize Language Arts. Communication is important in college – whether writing research papers, participating in online discussions, or sending an email to an instructor. Prioritize language arts so your child knows how to properly organize their thoughts and communicate effectively through the written word.
Let Them Learn Independently. Most homeschooling parents shine in this area. Homeschooled students are practically experts at independently consuming and digesting academic material, which mirrors expectations in college. Be confident that your independent learner will be at an advantage in this area, making their transition to college that much easier!
Northwest University is a top-ranked Christian university with over 70 academic programs that is committed to your child’s success. Providing academic support, spiritual growth opportunities, and robust community, we have everything to help your homeschooled child thrive as they spread their wings and grow academically, spiritually, and personally. Learn about the comprehensive supports Northwest University offers its students and schedule a visit today!
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