Here we are - 11th grade looming on the horizon for my youngest child.
I remember this being a crucial time in my oldest’s homeschool high school experience. We made a big change in her schooling and never regretted having the courage to recognize something wasn’t working and then making a change.
(That child is now a sophomore in college and wants to be an Occupational Therapist. She’s doing well and I believe she had the preparation she needed for the path she is on.)
When our high schoolers reach the age of 15 or 16 there are new worlds opening to them. Their personalities are continuing to develop. They are thinking about life beyond high school.
Hard decisions need to be made.
I’d like to go over some of those hard decisions in this post, and also give you a little update on life in our homeschool right now.
Also - I can’t emphasize enough how different each child is. The path my daughter took isn’t the same one my son will take. Children change, times change (pandemics happen and everything suddenly becomes more tenuous), and opportunities change.
And, at the end of the day, I always remain thankful that we have had the opportunity and blessing to homeschool our children.
How Do We Continue to Honor Our Child’s Interests?
As our children progress through high school it is imperative they do not lose the wonder in learning!
My son has always been interested in design and architecture. This year he took an Intro. to Architecture class that gave him a glimpse into what an architect does. We’re going to follow this up with a Graphic Design class next year. (Check out Excelsior Classes - we had a great experience with them this year!)
Additionally, LEGO bricks have always played a HUGE part in our homeschool. It seems that this interest just continues through high school. I’m trying to encourage Grant in any way I can. He has applied for a job at our local LEGO store, is learning to make YouTube videos (many of them about his LEGO creations), and might even embark on a fun online project with LEGOS next year.
In addition to these things he also plays the piano and loves to play basketball.
All of these things contribute to him being a well-rounded young person.
(And isn’t that a goal for homeschool parents? We want happy, well-rounded young people who love to learn!)
Do We Continue With Classical Conversations?
Each year around this time we always look ahead to the next level of Challenge.
I sit down with Grant and go over each of the strands for the following year. Do they interest him? Does he find value in them? (Believe me, sometimes this takes some prodding from me - of course, it’s hard for a typical teenager to see the value in some of these academics!)
Can we handle the Challenge workload and still pursue his interests?
The answer right now is YES. Grant is looking forward to Challenge III, and I think a lot of this is because of his strong peer group and how this style of learning just WORKS for him. I’ve watched all the pieces click into place the past few years, and it is VERY exciting!
I fully understand, however, that at this point in time some teens will step back from the Challenge program to pursue a more traditional “school” experience, dual enroll or take advantage of a number of other opportunities.
What About Dual Enrollment for Homeschoolers?
To dual enroll or not dual enroll? That is the question.
I like this comprehensive article about dual enrollment from Walking by the Way.
In our state (Georgia) we have access to free dual enrollment classes. As I think about this, I know it isn’t “free” - there. is a cost, and that cost is what could potentially be taught in the class, the bias of the professor, and more. So, if we decide to dual enroll we will go in with eyes wide open and doing research about where and when very carefully.
(As of this writing, we have decided against dual enrollment in Grant’s 11th grade year.)
For our family, I want to use every ounce of time while my child is under my room to maintain the integrity of their Classical Christian education. If a dual enrollment class fits our criteria, that is wonderful. We aren’t however, doing it just because it is “free”.
(My daughter took a couple of Advanced Placement classes and we were happy with that and she earned some college credit. You can read about that here.)
Which Standardized Test Should My Homeschool High Schooler Take?
I thought I had this all figured out until a global pandemic happened.
Now, I am wondering if the next couple of years will be test-optional as well?
So, here is my approach right now: continue to do practice problems from the ACT practice book. Take practice tests. Be prepared to take the PSAT and/or SAT or ACT next year if needed.
Grant will also take the Classic Learning Test this year, too.
To be frank, I am going on faith with this right now. At this point in my daughter’s high school career she had taken the PSAT and ACT. Things are different now, and I have to trust that all will be well.
Is College Even Worth It?
Is a 4-year degree the path for success?
(I am also exercising trust in this area - both my husband and I have college and advanced degrees. They were of great benefit to us. I’ve had to adjust my thinking in this area.)
College isn’t what it used to be. We are blessed in the state of Georgia to have the Hope and Zell scholarships, which pay college tuition when you meet certain academic requirements. My oldest is going tuition-free to a Georgia university to pursue her undergraduate that is necessary to get into Occupational Therapy School.
We will NOT allow our children to go into debt for school. They must have a plan that necessitates college if they want to attend college.
Maybe my son wants to work when he graduates high school and figure out what he wants to do. Maybe he would like to earn his two-year degree locally before heading off for his 4-year degree. (I heard yesterday about a young man who went to a local technical school (again, paid for by our state) to get an Electrician’s certificate - working while doing so to save money to then apply to Georgia Tech engineering school. Smart.)
The days of a 4-year degree being the automatic path for so many young people are gone, and I hope that as homeschoolers we have equipped our children to think outside the box to work hard, maybe start their own businesses, and just HUSTLE.
With each of the large areas mentioned above, it strikes me that PRAYER is the answer to each of them.
As I’ve done with my children since before they were born, I pray for them. I pray for their future, that they love Jesus, and that they love their families and love to learn. I pray for their future spouse and I pray for this crazy world we’re living in.
I always come back to this: Homeschooling has been the best thing we could have done for our children. I know of no better way to equip our children for the world they are living in!
