Homeschooling in High School

When planning a high school program, your teen’s post-high school goals and objectives are the primary considerations. Help your teen determine their interests, skills, and talents, and adjust the high school plan accordingly each year.

We recommend using a simple four-year plan form that outlines the courses your teen will complete during the high school years. Include core academic as well as elective courses, and remember that adjustments may be necessary as your teen’s goals become more defined.

Sample Four-Year High School Plan

Grade Level9th10th11th12th
Core Courses
English
Math
History / Social Science
Science / Labs
Foreign Language
Elective Courses
Physical Education
Fine Arts
Other

High School Plans

General High School Plan

For students planning to go directly into the workplace or the military:

  • English: 4 credits (e.g., Composition, Literature, Creative Writing)
  • Math: 3 credits (e.g., Algebra 1 and 2, Geometry)
  • History: 2–3 credits (e.g., World History, American History)
  • Science: 2–3 credits (e.g., Physical Science, Biology)
  • Foreign Language: 1–2 credits (optional)
  • Physical Education: 1–2 credits
  • Fine Arts: 1–2 credits
  • Electives: 6 credits

Total: 20–22 credits

Average to Strong College Prep Plan

  • English: 4 credits (e.g., American Literature, British Literature)
  • Math: 3–4 credits (e.g., Algebra 1 and 2, Geometry)
  • History: 3–4 credits (e.g., World History, American History)
  • Science: 3–4 credits (e.g., Physical Science, Biology)
  • Foreign Language: 2–4 credits
  • Physical Education: 1–2 credits
  • Fine Arts: 1–2 credits
  • Electives: 6 credits

Total: 24–28 credits

Rigorous College Prep Plan

For students applying to a highly selective college:

  • English: 4+ credits
  • Math: 4+ credits
  • History: 4+ credits
  • Science: 4+ credits
  • Foreign Language: 3–4 credits
  • Physical Education: 1–2 credits
  • Fine Arts: 1–2 credits
  • Electives: 5 credits

Total: 26–30 credits

Credits and Grades

Assigning Credits

There are several methods for determining credit for a course:

  1. High School Textbook: A yearlong course using a reputable high school textbook typically earns one credit.
  2. No Textbook: For integrated curriculums, log hours to determine credit. Typically, 120 hours is one credit for nonacademic electives, 150 hours for academic courses, and 180 hours for lab sciences.
  3. Dual Enrollment: A one-semester college course can be converted to a yearlong, one-credit high school course.

Recordkeeping

Keeping organized records is crucial as your student may need to provide accurate details of their high school coursework to prospective employers, colleges, vocational/trade schools, and/or the military. Good recordkeeping includes academic records, personal records, and a transcript.

Academic Records

  • Course Description: Record the course name, textbooks, course overview, grading percentages, grade earned, and number of credits.
  • Report Cards: Keep from your homeschool or other schools attended.
  • Transcripts: Include from community college or distance learning courses.
  • Standardized Test Scores: Keep scores from tests like SAT, ACT, and PSAT.

Personal Records

  • Contact Information
  • Medical Records: Including immunization records
  • Extracurricular Activities: Document activities like sports, arts, work experience, volunteer service, and awards.

Transcript

Begin compiling your teen’s transcript in 9th grade, updating it yearly. It should include:

  • Teen’s name, address, phone number, email address, birth date, and parents’ names
  • Homeschool name and contact information
  • Grade level and courses for each school year

For more detailed information and resources, visit our HS Guide.