This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: Choosing This Year’s Curriculum for Homeschool High School.

Let’s talk about choosing this year’s curriculum for your homeschool high schoolers! This is one of the most fun (and sometimes stressful) parts of the homeschool year.

Every year, you have different circumstances and a different budget. Every year, you must choose curriculum that fits your teen’s goals (and your goals) for their graduation.

Remember, there’s not ONE right way to homeschool high school, and there’s not ONE right way to choose curriculum. You are homeschooling to do what is best for your unique teens.

The number one thing to do is to pray. As our 7Sister Kim always says, “Pray first and pray always.” We all need skillful and godly wisdom in all areas of our homeschooling, especially in purchasing curriculum.

The next thing we want to consider is the budget. These days, everything is more costly: groceries, gas, and medical expenses. Everybody needs to balance the budget as best they can.

What fits in your budget for this year’s curriculum purchases?

Most, or all, of our curriculum choices need to reflect our short-term and long-term goals.

Talk with your teens. What are some considerations for curriculum and learning experiences that need to fit your budget?

Are there circumstances that will affect curriculum needs and choices?

Teens’ Needs

Are there some subjects that my teens can share a textbook or borrow one from a friend? (Our umbrella school has a lending library of sharable curriculum.) Of course, this is limited by any copyright rules (such as sharing downloadable curriculum is usually only okay between family members).

Many homeschooling families feel best with actual curriculum, whether this is downloadable PDFs or hardcover textbooks. Check out these resources:

There’s not one right way to be a learner. Some teens are more interest-led, preferring a more relaxed homeschooling or even unschooling situation. For those teens, you may just totally toss out the textbook and work more on logging hours.

You can always change things up

Relax. You can give yourself comfort in knowing that even if you get a curriculum that doesn’t really fit, it is okay at any point during the year to say, “this isn’t working,” and put it on the shelf.

Maybe it’ll work for the next kid…or simply toss the curriculum. One of my favorite posts at 7Sisters is 50 Ways to Scrap Your School Book, because there have been many times when we have tossed curriculum around January. You can always change. You are not locked in just because you purchase something.

You CAN do this! Be encouraged!

Also, you can get more suggestions and advice from all the 7th Sisters in our 7SistersHomeschool Facebook group. Join us there!

Thanks to Seth Tillman for editing!

The post Choosing This Year’s Curriculum for Homeschool High School appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: How to Plan Your Homeschool High School.

Let’s talk about planning high school. We know that planning for homeschooling high school can feel intimidating.

I (Vicki) remember, back in those early days, getting ready to start homeschooling her first high schooler. During those days, I was president of our local homeschool organization. There were not many people homeschooling high schoolers back then.

We were not sure how to plan out our high schoolers’ educations. So, a group of us moms in the homeschool support group got together and started researching how to homeschool high school.

We shared our research results in our weekly meetings, and prayed a lot. When the time came, we felt intimidated, but as ready as we could be. Since then, that group of moms evolved into 7SistersHomeschool and Homeschool Highschool Podcast. We have homeschooled twenty-six of our kids through graduation. Not only that, but we have also advised several hundred other local homeschoolers through our umbrella school.

By the way, let us share a FREE video course for parents called Are You Intimidated To Homeschool High School? It gets you started, gives you confidence and ideas.

Then if you want a really deep dive with sixteen lessons on how to do homeschool high school, we have a parent video course for that as well.

Just because your friend is homeschooling high school in one way does not mean you must homeschool high school as they do. Every teen is different; every family’s needs, rhythms, and interests are different as well.

We are homeschooling to do what is best for our own teens. So, enjoy the process, make it your own, and make it fit your teens!

Ask yourself, “Why am I homeschooling high school?”

There are a gazillion reasons. However, if you are homeschooling high school to help your teen really delve into an interest, then your homeschool high school will be different from a family with a teen who has medical needs.

Perhaps your teen is aiming for a competitive college; their high school will look more academically challenging than a teen who wants to go into a trade.

Write your WHY. On a bad day, it’ll help you remember. A written WHY will help you stay on mission.

You are going to spend a lot of time and effort in homeschooling these teenagers. It’s a good idea to know the person you are homeschooling.

Of course, you do not know everything about who they are, but God knows them well. Thus, one thing you do is you pray. You can pray:

“God, help me have the eyes to see and ears to hear and heart to understand my teen and your will for my teen.”

Also, ask yourself:

Many homeschooling families do not have a one-size-fits-all homeschooling philosophy. Instead, our ideas grow and change over the years. That’s okay! For the moment, though, define as best you can what makes homeschooling important to you.

Let’s take a moment and define your homeschooling philosophy for this time in life. What is important to you and your teens?

Sometimes families have some unusual needs or plans for the year that will affect how and where they homeschool.

These are all time-consuming needs. Be sure when you are planning that you do not leave your teens out of the planning. When teens understand the demands on the family, they can give input and suggestions on best-fit curriculum and extracurriculars.

It is wise to have written goals for the long-term and short-term (this year).

You need both!

So every year may be different, and that’s okay. If you know what the budget is and you can answer the other questions, then you are set to go to set your plans and choose curriculum.

If you have any questions, join the 7SistersHomeschool Facebook Group. It is such a lovely group of homeschooling parents that can answer questions and encourage you!

Join us on 7SistersHomeschool Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok.

Thank you to Seth Tillman for editing and to Stacy Clendaniel for all of the cool videos and graphics that she does for us on social media.

The post How to Plan Your Homeschool High School appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: Middle Schoolers, Transcripts, and High School Courses.

We often receive questions from parents of homeschool middle schoolers. They want to know how to record on the transcript their high school-level courses completed during middle school.

They want to know how and where to record those high school-level courses completed during middle school!

First, let me remind you there’s not ONE right way to homeschool middle school, and not ONE right way to handle transcripts.

As a side note: Your middle schoolers do not have to rush to do high school. It is okay to wait till high school to do high school work.

Tweens are not in a competition to see, “How can I get ahead in the game?”

If they need time simply to be in middle school and simply enjoy the last few years before transcript life, that is absolutely marvelous. In fact, many of the 7Sisters middle schoolers did not work on high school courses.

Also, we did have some middle schoolers who wanted to jump the gun on things and start some high school courses. There’s really NOT one right way to homeschool middle school.

One reason a middle schooler might jump ahead and start taking a few high school courses is that they are academically ready and need the challenge of a high school course. Some kids are raring to go and want to do high school-level work.

Another reason middle schoolers might take a high school course is that they have a particular interest or a gifting that should not be neglected. Some middle schoolers are advanced in areas like music, the arts, science, math, languages, or literature. It is responsible to help them lean into those interests and gifts.

Some middle schoolers are part of a co-op teaching a high school course they are interested in. When the co-op allows middle schoolers to participate and the tween is capable of high school-level work, why not allow them?

Whatever the reason for taking those high school courses, make sure that you keep records to show that each of those courses were completed at a high school level (nothing scaled back for middle schoolers).

There are several tips to help you handle this process:

Keep records because if you don’t have a record of how they earned that credit, it did not happen. This can include:

It is wise to keep all this in a binder, portfolio, or wherever you’re keeping records.

Remember: there’s not ONE right way to record a high school class done in middle school on the transcript. Here are some ways that families we have worked with in our umbrella school have done this.

Algebra 1 (completed in 8th grade)

We need to note that some colleges do not count those 8th grade courses. That’s okay, because usually our homeschool high schoolers have many credits when they graduate. They really do not need to show them all on the transcript.

Also, sometimes the courses done in middle school are implied, and so you do not need to show them. So, for instance, if your 9th grader is taking geometry for their math, it’s implied that they did Algebra 1 in 8th grade.

A high school course for a middle schooler is good for middle schoolers…if that’s a good fit for them! (If they are ready for high school work, if it excites them and inspires them, if it challenges them, feel free to have them take the course. Then include it on the transcript…or not!)

A high school course for a middle schooler is good for middle schoolers…if that’s a good fit for them!

Stay in touch

So please join us there at the 7SistersHomeschool Facebook group where you can ask all your questions and receive wisdom and encouragement from all the 7th Sisters out there!

Also, if you’re new to Substack, look up 7SistersHomeschool on Substack.

Thanks to Seth Tillman for editing.

The post Middle Schoolers, Transcripts, and High School Courses appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: Resource for Teens Who Struggle With Reading with Tara Giddings.

Some homeschooling high schoolers love reading. Others do not! Some teens struggle with reading. That’s why Vicki was excited to talk about a reading program that respectfully helps teens build their reading skills.

We talked to Tara Giddings from LearnUp Centers. She and her team work with teens who have struggled with reading. (It’s not anything to be ashamed of because everyone has different strengths and weaknesses.)

LearnUp is a non-profit that has been around for ten years. They are on a mission to help all young people learn how to read.

LearnUp is on a mission to help all young people learn how to read.

The team works with readers of all ages and all grades! They have developed a program specifically to support our teen learners.

The LearnUp program supports students using their proven structured literacy program. They offer high-dosage tutoring for students in-person in San Francisco and online nationwide.

The LearnUp reading program was initially created for a family whose fifth-grader was reading at below a second-grade level. They had tried many different programs. Nothing was working.

The family was feeling frustrated: “What do we do? How can we help our kid learn how to read?”

They finally found Steve Tatum, the founder of the LearnUp reading program, Tatum Reading. Working with Steve, the child rose from a second-grade reading level to high school level in less than a year!

The family was so excited about their child’s success! So, Steve sat down with the parents and walked them through the structured literacy reading program. (He calls this a train-the-trainer approach.)

Steve Tatum had combined the best elements of a number of reading programs. Using this “best elements” approach helped students learn as quickly as possible while still being engaging.

The non-profit is launched

The family was so happy about their child’s reading success that they asked to work with Steve to start a non-profit. They wanted to share the program with as many students as possible and for it to be accessible for families who may not otherwise be able to afford these services. They knew that education is key to unlocking success in the future. So LearnUp was born. They strive to make sure that students, regardless of their socioeconomic background, have the same opportunities.

LearnUp helps middle and high schoolers

Learning quickly is especially important for our middle and high schoolers; they don’t have time to waste. They need to catch up fast.

The team from LearnUp wants to make sure they are clear about what we do differently when we work with teens.

They adapted the curriculum, called Unlocking Reading Success, specifically for those older students. The lessons are engaging and story-driven. Teens can make sense of weird phonics rules, presented in a way that does not feel babyish. They never want teens to feel like they’re being talked down to.

LearnUp tutors interact with teens differently than with younger students. They know they need to get teens’ buy-in and engagement. They learn to see themselves as readers!

The first step in starting LearnUp is to take their free virtual intake assessment.

They want to make sure that all families can get insight into their homeschooler’s reading. Contact LearnUp, and you will be connected with one of their advanced tutors.

This intake assessment will show their student’s entry level. The entry levels are one reason they can move teens more quickly through the program, because we don’t start at the beginning of our scope and sequence with every student. LearnUp meets them where they are.

LearnUp has found students tend to bucket into about five different entry levels, ranging from a non-reader who knows some sounds, to an early reader who can read some one-syllable words. Then there are what they call “Start 3s and 4s”. Those students have more skills, but need support in areas such as reading multi-syllable words.

When a student comes in at entry-level Start 4, their tutor would start them at more advanced phonics so the student feels challenged. They would go back and fill in the gaps in their reading as needed.

Some students come to LearnUP at the last Start, an entry level where the teen sounds like they can read. However, they need support in comprehension, decoding, and writing.

After the assessment, parents connect with LearnUp to schedule their teen with a tutor.

During each session, tutors and students use visual and auditory aids to review what they have covered so far. Then teens learn a new phonics concept of the day. They practice on a digital board using “nonsense words”, so that they are challenged to apply the new phonics concept. The teen and the tutor also practice the concept by taking turns sharing nonsense words.

Then they would practice some spelling with real words.

Next, they read a decodable story in a chapter book using that day’s phonics concept. These stories are relevant and engaging for the teens. These are not reading children’s stories, but rather interesting, culturally relevant stories from Japanese mythology to African American folklore.

Reading stories builds comprehension and engagement skills. These are the skills they need for schoolwork and for life!

Tara shares the story of a high school student who was referred to as a hall walker by her school’s staff.  She was technically at school, but never spending any time in class. Rather, she was just walking around the hallways the whole time. This is an avoidance technique because the student knows they cannot engage in class.)

The LearnUp tutor worked with this teen who was at an early-reader level. (She was only able to read some one-syllable words.) However, within sixty sessions during one semester, she was able to jump over three grade levels. She gained confidence and began attending and engaging in her classes instead of hall walking.

To get started with LearnUp, you can contact LearnUp at

Join Vicki and Tara and learn about reading resources with LearnUp.

Thank you to Seth Tillman for editing.

The post Resource for Teens Who Struggle With Reading with Tara Giddings appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: 10 Ways to Help Teens Develop Their Interests.

 One of the joys of homeschooling high school is helping teens invest in their interests.

One of the most important gifts we can give our teens in their high school years is to lean into discovering their interests, to explore ideas that are important to them, or simply to find out that they have interests, and to try on hats and to see which ones are the best fits for them.

Out of these interests, teens may turn them into hobbies or avocations that will follow them for the rest of their lives, or just for the high school years.

However, often these interests will become the first steps towards a career.

We, parents, want to know that we have done our part in helping our teens be ready for the next phase of life. We want to invest in them,  to know whether they really are interested in something enough to make it a career.

Whether an interest will become a hobby or a career, an important part of high school is investing in interests.

Remember, discovering and developing interests is an adventure, so try not to get stressed about it! Here are ten ways to have an interesting adventure!

If you find your teen has an interest they would like to explore, see if they’ve got some friends who have the same interests. Let them have get-togethers and participate in the activity together, or make a club.

One of Vicki’s sons and his friends were interested in doing film. The movie The Lord of the Rings was popular in those days. My son and his friends watched the extra material on the videos. This inspired them to make their own videos.

Soon, they wanted a Cinematography Club. The teens had so much fun. They made short movies from start to finish: scripting, filming, acting, and making props. We were able to include this as an extracurricular on their transcripts.

That son went to community college and got his AA degree in video production. By that time, he had said, “You know what? This is not what I want to do for a career, but it’s going to be a good tool.” He has used filmmaking throughout college to do his presentations.

He is a teacher now, and he has sponsored a Cinematography Club at his school.

Remember: You are never wasting time when investing in your teen’s interests.

In some areas, there are lots of opportunities for teens to explore different interests. For instance:

Your co-op, local homeschool support groups, or umbrella schools often have some kind of interest groups for teens. Our homeschool high schoolers have participated in public speaking groups, choirs, bands, service groups, and sports teams through our umbrella school or homeschool support group.

Teens who are ministry-oriented, mission-oriented, and/or enjoy church youth groups can join groups that help them explore these interests. A number of our teens have been in the church youth group and have joined missions trips overseas or here in the States.

Look for interesting opportunities in the community: ranger-led walks in state parks, organizations that do river cleanup days, birdwatching groups, etc.

There are endless opportunities for our teens:

If your teen wants to spend some time exploring a subject, let them do it. Have them log the hours. One of our top articles at 7SistersHomeschool is from the Freedom Homeschool mom. Her name is Sarah, and her teens have been exploring gardening. They have done gardening for an elective credit. They log those hours and get elective credit.

Some of our teens who have been into sciences have done extra sciences like marine biology or an extra chemistry course. If they are into it, let them explore.

We have had teens get a textbook on astronomy and take courses in that.

Teens can turn interests into electives! One of my teens was born a musician and has enjoyed singing, playing guitar, and being part of a church worship band. When he was in high school, he developed an interest in the history of church music. So, one year, he did a deep dive into this topic, writing a research paper on the topic. He spent enough time on the topic that he logged an elective credit in Church Music History.

(BTW- this is a true “sparkle credit” on the transcript!)

Teens can take dual enrollment courses at their local community college or online courses through a college. If these courses help them explore an interest, they earn a triple blessing: early college credit, high school credit, and another way to explore interests.

Finding an apprenticeship for your teen is a good idea. Years ago, one of our teens wanted to explore becoming a farrier. She found a local farrier and worked with them, and began learning those skills. This was a first step in a career that was meaningful to her.

Another one of our teens was interested in becoming a large animal vet. She did an apprenticeship for a vet. This was a valuable experience for her because she found that she did NOT like the on-call lifestyle of a veterinarian.

Is there something related to your interest that the teen can do to serve the community? For instance, in our area near the Chesapeake Bay, some organizations take families kayaking and participate in a river cleanup.  This gives teens service hours, as well as understanding the local waterway, using a kayak, and enjoying nature.

Don’t forget to join the 7SistersHomeschool Facebook Group. It’s a great place to ask questions and share your own ideas with others.

For more on helping your teens explore interests, check out these:

Thank you to Seth Tillman for editing!

The post 10 Ways to Help Teens Develop Their Interests appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: 20+ Credits Needed for Graduation.

Lots of homeschooling parents feel intimidated by transcripts. They worry if they will include the correct courses and credits for a successful launch for their homeschool high schoolers into the next phase of life.

That’s why I (7Sister Vicki) am excited to talk about homeschool transcripts! I know this can be a stressful topic for new homeschooling parents, but once you get used to it, it’s a fun game!

Start with: This is a game to learn to play!

Creating your teen’s homeschool transcript is a game. It can be fun!

So, let’s all take a deep breath and say to ourselves, “This is a game. I can play the game, and it can be fun.”

So we practice a positive attitude, and it won’t be so bad! (Believe me, it is true. We have successfully helped our teens and hundreds of our local advisees create a successful transcript.)

Anyway, let me remind you that there’s not one right way to homeschool high school. (We say that all the time!) And it is especially true about transcripts.

There’s not one right way to do transcripts. Even if you had a teen in a public school, every school’s transcript looks different. Thus, you get to adapt anything I share to meet your teens’ needs.

BTW- at 7SistersHomeschool, when you download our transcript package, you will find a transcript in an editable format that we have used with all our teens. You, too, can use it to make your own transcript. The how-tos are all included! It has been useful for homeschool graduates for admission into college, the military, trade schools, or whatever their next steps are.

Just like there’s not one right way to create a transcript, there’s not one right way to decide how many credits to put on the transcript. Every state has a different set of requirements for what kinds and number of credits are needed for graduation.

In our umbrella school, we had kids from Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. Thus, we had to require the highest number of credits from each state’s graduation requirements. Our teens needed twenty-six credits on their transcripts.

With this in mind, adjust these tips for your teens’ needs and your state’s requirements.

Homeschool high schoolers need several kinds of courses on their homeschool transcripts:

The core courses are the basic academics that teens need for graduation. Most states require the same core subjects, but may vary in the number of credits for each category.

Many states have additional required credits, such as:

Most states require some elective credits (usually one to four credits). Many homeschool high schoolers have more than the minimum elective requirement. That’s because we can include ALL of their educational experiences on the transcript to highlight the richness of learning.

Electives are topics that interest your teens, they want to explore for fun, or are extra courses related to a favorite core course.

So, let’s say your teen had all the fine arts they needed, but they enjoyed being in a choir. They can count those choir hours as a Choir Elective.

One of my teens was interested in the History of Church Music. He created his own credit in that topic.

Elective credits add sparkle to the transcript. It also shows that your teen is self-motivated and can explore an interest.

Don’t be intimidated. Transcripts are a game.

There you have it! Since transcripts are a game, you may as well show off your teen’s excellent high school experiences! Never exaggerate or fib, but do show off your teens’ educational strengths!

Keep your attitude positive! You can do this!

Join Vicki for encouragement as you plan your teens’ credits for the homeschool transcript.

Thank you to Seth Tillman for editing today.

The post 20+ Credits Needed for Graduation appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: How I Homeschooled with Natalie Mack.

Our listeners tell us that one of their favorite podcast episode topics is when fellow homeschool parents tell how they homeschool!

That’s because there’s not ONE right way to homeschool high school. It is encouraging and fun to hear how other parents are handling their educational adventures.

One of our favorite people to have on the podcast is our friend and 7Sisters Cousin, Natalie Mack! Natalie is a force in the homeschool community! She has done TEDx Talks, is active in the military homeschool community, has helped with HSLDA’s work, and more.

Every time Natalie Mack has been on Homeschool Highschool Podcast, listeners ask for more.

Natalie and her family are now a retired Navy chaplain’s family. Natalie’s husband was military active duty, along with a little bit of reserve time in two branches. He started out after college in the Army as an intel officer.

Natalie married him a few years after college. They moved around the world as an Army couple with one child at the time, their oldest daughter.

Then he was called to the ministry and left the military. They did some (“what we call ‘civilian time’”) for about seven years. They were living back in Maryland, their home. Her husband became a licensed minister after completing his Master’s in Divinity at Wesley Theological Seminary. They had had three more children by that time.

Then they looked at each other and said, “We miss military life!”

Natalie had just started homeschooling that September, as well. Her husband was assigned to Camp Pendleton in California. The family accompanied him to several locations. The last assignment was in Naples, Italy.

Back in the States in 2020, Natalie started working with HSLDA as a high school educational consultant. She also created their military outreach program.

Next, Natalie started an LLC to consult with homeschooling parents.

She also started a nonprofit, Military Homeschoolers Association. Natalie, as you can see, stays busy.

These days, Natalie spends part of her time helping recruiters and military education service specialists in the different branches of the military, training them on homeschooling, helping them understand what homeschoolers bring to the table.

Every family homeschools in their own unique way according to their unique goals and priorities.

Here are some of Natalie’s family’s goals/priorities.

A focus on passions and interests includes parents, too! As you can see from Natalie’s story, she was faithful to explore the interests God gave her, and he opened doors for her. Also, following passions and interests is good role modeling.

Natalie intentionally worked with each of her homeschool high schoolers to have coursework, volunteer work, and other experiences that helped them explore their interests.

For instance, one daughter loved languages and studied them enthusiastically. This helped her with missions trips and college major choices.

Another of Natalie’s high schoolers was interested in international politics. Natalie made sure that some of their experiences included courses in these areas. This led to his college studies at American University in that field.

One of the things that Natalie has used and recommends is the ASVAB Career Exploration Program. It is provided by the military, but there is no commitment to enlist.

Academics

Academics were always important to  Natalie and her husband. They are first-generation college graduates, both with Master’s Degrees.  They saw college as the next destination for all five of their children. All five also wanted to go to college, as well.

That goal has held, as all five of Natalie’s kids have now been to college. The youngest has finished his freshman year of college, and the other four have graduated from college, and two completed Master’s degree programs, and one is in his second year of a Master’s in Urban Planning with Virginia Tech.

Note: Natalie’s youngest was on the podcast during his high school senior year. It was a great episode where he shared about the senior project he was doing for the conservation district.

Have conversations

Natalie’s family prioritized conversations. A lot of them happened late at night. “And, and I tell you what. That is when the most fruitful conversations have been.”

God is Guide

Through all the homeschooling years, Natalie and her husband trusted God as their Guide. The wisdom He gave them helped them:

Model values

Natalie and her husband modeled family values like:

Note: Natalie’s youngest was on the podcast during his high school senior year. It was a great episode where he shared about the senior project he was doing for the conservation district.

The post How I Homeschooled with Natalie Mack appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: Finding the Right College Fit with Shellee Howard.

 If you have a homeschool high schooler who is starting to think about college, you will find this interview with Shellee Howard to be a help. She is a subject-matter expert on the college search process, and she has created the College Ready Plan to help teens. 

She loves working with homeschool families. One of her team members, Miss Christine, is a certified college consultant who homeschooled four of her own boys, so she works directly with homeschool families. In fact, Shellee started the interview by reminding listeners that she will share several resources they can grab for free to help them lay the foundation for their success!

Shellee is a mom of four, so she has lived in the “trenches with mom-ness.” When her son came home from eighth grade and told her he wanted to be a brain surgeon and go to an Ivy League school, she panicked. She did not know how to handle her son’s goals, but she did what she could: she went back to school, earned her master’s degree, and became a certified independent college strategist. Then, she started touring twenty-five colleges per semester.

With all that experience, she was able to help guide her son through his high school years. He did exactly what she recommended. He ended up applying to twelve schools, getting into eleven, received seven full-ride offers (including Harvard). That young man is now an orthopedic surgeon who is graduating from chief residency at UCLA. Plus, he is a debt-free doctor (which you don’t hear very often).

She knew she could also help other high schoolers achieve their college goals, so she started College Ready. Shellee has been helping teens for eighteen years now.

There are all kinds of  homeschool high schoolers. Some are interested in Ivy League, some who just need a degree from a local college. How do parents and teens look for the right college fit? Here are Shellee’s tips:

Sit down with your teenager and clarify:

 Ask your teen to answer the question: “Who are you?” Some may get a little squirmy, a little uncomfortable because they are not sure who they are at this young age (such as Shellee’s three youngest).

Others may know, such as Shellee’s firstborn.

Communicate with genuine curiosity. For instance, say, “So tell me why you wanna be a botanist,” rather than, “Oh, great. You’re never gonna make any money.”

Have a discussion between parents and teens about the kinds of schools that will help them accomplish their goals:

At this stage, teens need to learn to prioritize. If the most important thing to your family is that your child gets in and out of college without debt, that strategy looks very different from if the number one thing is a social fit. (Social fit: They prioritize having an incredible experience, maybe meeting the future love of their life, and developing their network of people.)

Or maybe you say, “Wait, this child is an incredible sponge. We’re looking for the academic fit. We want them to go, get as educated as they can, change the world with their brains.”

Do you see how they’re all very unique?

When you clarify these priorities, you can find the best-fit college for your teen!

Step one is to get really clear about why they’re going to college. Again, it’s that open discussion. Stay curious.

For some families, college is mandatory. There’s no discussion. You’re going to college, the end of the story.

Other families recognize that college is necessary for the teen to get the training and degree they need for the career they desire. Remember, not every college has every major. So finding a college with the major your teen desires is important.

Step two: Clarify finances

The cost of college ranges from free to completely $100,000 a year. That’s a big decision as a family.

Step three: Does your teen want a big school, a small school, East Coast, West Coast, private, public, or international college.

Now you’re ready to pick your school!

Shellee has software that can show a student what it takes to get into any school in the world:

She recommends they have reach schools, comfort schools, and safety schools.

Check out these free resources from Shellee Howard:

Shellee finished the conversation with this advice, “And parents, please don’t believe everything you see online. Our students earned over $10.2 million in scholarships last year, 80 million over the last 18 years. There’s plenty of money. Don’t let that stop you from learning how to get it done. You’ve got this.”

The post Finding the Right College Fit with Shellee Howard appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

This week on the Homeschool Highschool Podcast: How Many Credits Do You Need Each Year- Replay?

If you have been wondering about how many credits your teens need to graduate, you are in the right place! What does it look like each year? Let’s talk about how many credits you need each year for homeschool graduation requirements and make it a bit more practical to understand and follow!

Do you know how many credits your teens need to graduate each year? If not, it’s quite alright as we all know how confusing it can be to figure out the yearly breakdown, especially when we often focus on the overall number of credits needed for graduation. So let’s make it practical and dive into the details!

First things first, it’s important to meet the minimum credit requirements set by your state. Each state has its own set of credit requirements for high school graduation. While some homeschoolers choose not to follow state requirements, most of us do. 

If you are unsure about your state’s requirements, you can check your state department of Education or reach out to organizations like Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) or National Homeschool Advocacy for guidance. 

Typically, states require between seventeen and twenty-six credits, with the majority falling between twenty and twenty-four. If you are a member of HSLDA, you can also access this information through their resources.

Although there’s not ONE right way to homeschooling high school, we have gathered some practical guidelines based on our experience raising our own high schoolers and advising others in our local community. Let’s talk about some of those guidelines now that have worked for us over the years. 

Keep in mind that these are not set in stone, and you should always do what is best for your teens. 

Let’s shift gears and talk about college-bound teens. In addition to meeting the state’s homeschool graduation requirements, college-preparation homeschoolers often need to go above and beyond. 

Colleges may look for a higher level of rigor or specific courses on the transcript, so it is a good idea to research the colleges your teens are interested in to see what they are looking for in incoming freshmen. This can help you determine if your teen needs additional credits or more challenging coursework.

For example, some colleges may require three years of World Language, even if your state only requires two. They may also expect four years of Social Studies, Math, and Sciences, even if your state only requires three. It is important to tailor your teen’s transcript to meet these expectations and showcase their interests and strengths.

(Here is more on what college-bound teens should be doing.)

If your teen is not-college bound and aims to enter the workforce after graduation, meeting the state requirements is usually sufficient. 

Divide the total number of credits required by your state by four to determine the number of credits needed per year. 

If you are unsure whether your teen will be headed towards college or go straight into the workforce, sit down with them to have a serious discussion about their future. If you still cannot come up without a clear path, try some Career Exploration. 

Another class or two never hurt anybody, and they may be grateful for that if they do decide to go to college!

Although these are the typical subjects required by state, it is important to check your local area for any additional homeschool graduation requirements.

One of the great things about homeschooling high school is the flexibility to customize your teen’s education. If your teen has a specific interest or career goal, you can build elective credits around that. This not only adds depth to their transcript but also shows their dedication and passion. 

For example, if your teen is interested in History, they can earn elective credits in specialized areas like World War II or European History. There is no limit to the number of credits your teen can earn as long as they are honestly earned. 

You can create a transcript that reflects their unique interests and accomplishments. Just make sure to keep a balanced approach and avoid overwhelming your teen with too many credits.

For college-bound teens, it’s also important to demonstrate a higher level of rigor on their transcript. This can be achieved through challenging coursework and advanced placement (AP) classes. 

It’s crucial to prepare your teen for the academic demands of college and show admissions officers that they are ready for the next level.

Homeschooling high school allows you the flexibility to customize your teen’s education according to their goals and aspirations. When you understand the credit requirements for graduation, you can ensure your teen is well-prepared for their chosen path, whether it be entering the workforce or pursuing higher education. 

You’re not alone in this homeschooling adventure. We’re all in it together, and we’re here to support you every step of the way!

If you have any questions or need support, join the 7Sisters Homeschool Facebook group. It’s a wonderful community where you can connect with other homeschoolers and get valuable advice. 

Don’t forget to explore the resources available on our website, including free articles and downloadable curriculum. Our curriculum has been designed with input from teens themselves, ensuring a meaningful and engaging learning experience. We even offer special discounts for co-ops and reimbursement-friendly options for certain states.

Thank you to Richie Soares with Homeschool & Humor for writing this blog post!

The post How Many Credits Do You Need Each Year?- Replay appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

This week on the Homeschool Highschool Podcast: Emotionally Preparing Teens for College with Natalie Mack.

Navigating the journey from high school to college can be both exhilarating and daunting for you and your teen. It’s not just about ensuring they have the academic skills to thrive in higher education, but also preparing them emotionally and socially for the whirlwind of new experiences that college life brings.

As a seasoned homeschool parent, you have likely guided your children through many transitions, and now it’s time to tackle this significant milestone. Join our friend and 7Sister Cousin Natalie Mack to discuss what it takes to set your teen up for success. Natalie is a homeschool mom who has graduated four with one in his senior year of homeschooling. She is also a figurehead in the military homeschooling community.

From cultivating independent learning habits and managing time effectively to fostering emotional resilience and navigating the diverse social landscape of a college campus, there’s a lot to cover to prepare your teens for college success.

Every homeschool high schooler is different. However, we have found these tips help them be ready for college.

First, let’s talk about academic preparation. You have already done a fantastic job homeschooling your teen, tailoring their education to fit their unique needs and interests. Now it’s time to shift gears and focus on developing independent learning skills. 

Encourage your teen to take ownership of their studies by including them in high school planning and their own goals. 

One practical tip is to introduce them to planners or digital calendars where they can track assignment deadlines, test dates, and study schedules. This helps them stay organized while also instilling a sense of responsibility.

Next, consider incorporating some college-level coursework into their high school curriculum. This could be through dual enrollment programs at local community colleges or online courses that offer college credit. 

These experiences provide a taste of the rigor and expectations of college academics and can boost your teen’s confidence as they transition to higher education. 

You can also familiarize your teen with the types of exams they might encounter in college. Practice timed tests can be a great way by building their test-taking stamina and reducing anxiety.

But preparing for college is not just about academics. Emotional readiness is equally crucial. 

College life can be a significant adjustment, with new social dynamics and increased independence. For emotionally preparing teens for college, talk to them about the importance of self-care and managing stress. 

Encourage them to explore mindfulness techniques or relaxation exercises that can help them stay grounded during stressful times. 

It’s also beneficial to discuss potential challenges they might face, such as homesickness or the pressure of meeting new people, and brainstorm coping strategies together.

Your teen will meet a diverse array of individuals from various backgrounds and walks of life in college. This exposure can be enriching but also overwhelming at times. 

Help your teen develop strong communication skills and a growth mindset. Encourage them to be curious, ask questions, and engage with people who have different perspectives. 

Remind them that it’s okay to feel out of place initially; finding friends takes time. Making themselves available helps. For instance, keeping their dorm room door open when they are around is a simple yet effective way to foster connections.

One practical piece of advice is to practice “scheduling backwards.” When your teen gets their syllabus at the beginning of the semester, have them mark all the major due dates for exams, papers, and projects in their planner. 

Then, help them work backwards from these dates to schedule regular study sessions and check-ins. This proactive approach can prevent last-minute cramming and reduce stress.

In addition to academic and emotionally preparing teens for college, it is essential to equip your teen with practical life skills. Make sure they know:

These skills will contribute to their overall confidence and independence.

As you prepare your teen for college, remember to maintain open lines of communication. Check in regularly about how they are feeling and any concerns they might have. 

Share your own experiences and reassure them that it is normal to have ups and downs during this transition. Your support and guidance will be instrumental in helping them fin success for college and this new chapter of life.

Ultimately, the goal is to equip your teen not just to survive but to thrive in their college journey. By fostering independence, emotional resilience, and practical skills, you’re setting them up for a successful and fulfilling college experience.

So join Vicki and Natalie Mack…and take a deep breath, embrace the journey, and know that you’ve done an incredible job preparing your teen for this exciting next step.

Thank you for Seth Tillman for editing this podcast and for Richie Soares with Homeschool and Humor for writing this blog post!

The post Emotionally Preparing Teens for College with Natalie Mack appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.