Successful Learning

My daughter started high school this year. I still can hardly believe it.  

This is our seventh year homeschooling, but this year I felt like a newbie. I was not prepared for the transition into the high school years. This was a strange new world of electives and credit hours, graduation requirements, and GPAs. I pored over homeschool high school curriculum choices to see whether one would meet our homeschooling goals. Here are some things that I took away from that experience.  

Homeschool High School Curriculum Options  

There are an overwhelming number of high school homeschool curriculum options. You can find a textbook for just about any course that your high schooler would like to take. Many online educational programs and in-person co-op classes also exist. Additionally, if your high schooler meets certain requirements, some colleges offer dual-credit courses that count for both high school and college credit.  

Some homeschool options offer accredited degrees. Currently, no states require homeschoolers to enroll in an accredited program. But some homeschoolers do so to qualify for certain scholarships or gain acceptance into certain universities. When determining whether accreditation is right for your homeschool, you will want to consider your child’s future plans. You can learn more about accreditation in the post “Accredited Homeschool Programs: Advantages and Disadvantages.”  

The best homeschool high school curriculum for your family is the one that meets your educational and budgetary goals and fits your family’s values.  

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You may be considering a sport for your child but are unsure whether it would work for your family. You may be wondering if it’s even possible to homeschool and be involved in organized sports. Thanks to improved laws and a growing number of programs, you can find many different options when it comes to homeschool sports.  Extracurricular activities such as music, art, and sports can provide many advantages for homeschoolers. Sports can especially benefit children and teens. Playing sports can improve your child’s ability to concentrate and focus, both on and off the court or field.

Your homeschooler will also learn how to be a team player and work with and encourage their teammates, which will help as they prepare for the future. Another benefit is having another adult besides a parent to instill discipline and to instruct, correct, and motivate your child. Playing sports can help boost kids’ confidence. And participating in sports promotes better physical health by improving strength, speed, and flexibility. In fact, playing sports early on in life can establish healthy exercise and eating habits your child can continue as they get older.

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Homeschooling and an organized home go hand in hand. When your entire life is lived in your home, staying organized is key to your success. Here are some recommendations on how to organize your homeschool life to make for a smoother homeschool experience.

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My parents never planned to homeschool, and they certainly never planned to switch to homeschooling mid-year. But halfway through my sixth-grade year at a private school, homeschooling became necessary for my family.  

At first, my brothers and I cheered my parents’ decision to start homeschooling. But we found it to be a hard transition. We missed our friends. We missed playing basketball, singing in choir, and participating in group projects.   

But despite the difficult adjustment, I am very thankful that my parents made the decision to start homeschooling my brothers and me. It was the best decision they could have made. My brothers and I flourished in our homeschool environment. We could focus on the joy of learning. 

If you are thinking about making the switch to homeschooling mid-year, here are some answers to common questions. I’ve also included some tips on how to switch to homeschooling so you can make the transition to homeschooling as smooth as possible.  

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