First 4 Steps to Begin Homeschooling High School

Knowing where to start homeschooling the critical high school years can be hard. These 4 steps will help!

When I originally wrote this post, we had just finished kiddo #1’s sophomore year of high school. She’s now graduated college, and kiddo #3 is heading into his sophomore year.

And each of these first steps is still what I tell people. Obviously, it’s not a complete list. This list is just the very first things to do to get started.

Hang with me over the next 10 days, and we’ll explore the ins & outs of what you need to know to plan high school, start to finish.

A simple truth. You can do this. 

You’ve been a parent for more than a dozen years. Your kids are walking, talking, learning. They sleep through the night. They eat a variety of foods. All those things you worried about and wondered when they’d happen have all come to pass. 

You can do this. I promise. 

It will take work, patience, research, and intentionality. But you’re no stranger to those things! You’re almost to the finish line of childhood; you’re a pro.

Know the laws. If you have been homeschooling before high school, it’s unlikely that there will be any changes for the high school level. But check. A quick refresh never hurts.

Several websites summarize the laws for you. Don’t use them. And I don’t check with a local Facebook group either.

Are they likely correct? Yes. But do you want to trust another site for something as important as high school? They won’t be the ones to correct any mistakes you’ve made — that’ll be on you.

Go to your state’s education site. Give them a call if it’s written in legalese that you don’t understand. Ask all your questions.

What does she foresee herself doing after high school? What kind of person do we want to graduate? 

I use that information to (roughly) sketch out what high school will look like. Things will change, but having it laid out from the beginning helps me see the big picture. 

I’ve created a freebie for you to map out the next four years. Grab yours now!

Even if your teen doesn’t plan to attend college, still keep in mind admissions requirements. These requirements, particularly for non-elite schools, typically line up with your state’s high school graduation requirements.

Can they participate in anything at the local high school? Can they take core classes, electives, or after-school clubs? In my area, nothing is open to homeschooled students except driver’s ed. In other parts of North Carolina, districts welcome homeschoolers for various classes or athletics.

Often, private schools will make some classes and activities available (at a fee) to homeschool families.

Can your student dual enroll in the local community college? If you have a local university, can they begin taking classes at 13 16?

You may not use any of these options, but knowing what you can and can not do is good.