Are you weighing the idea of homeschooling through high school more seriously now? If so, there’s more one person’s opinion you really need to get on the matter—and that’s your teen’s!
What are your prospective student’s expectations, hopes, concerns, or fears?
What are yours?
It can be really helpful for you and your teen to take some time to thoughtfully discuss together the pros and cons of deciding to homeschool through high school.
This is a pivotal opportunity to learn what your teen is really thinking and feeling—and for you to ask each other questions, answer frankly, and listen as compassionately as possible.
What might your conversation look like?
You might explore questions like these: What might it look like for your family? What dreams and goals do you and your teen have for the high school years—academic, extracurricular, personal?
Is your teen worried about what they could be missing out on? Are there ways to address those worries and show your student that homeschooling can be tailored to fit their personality, talents, interests, and needs?
For instance, if your teen is concerned about having limited interaction with other students, it might boost their confidence to know that homeschooling offers a number of group learning opportunities with plenty of class participation.
So your high schooler could take an online course or two, join a homeschool co-op or hybrid school, or dual-enroll at a community college. When you add in extracurricular activities such as sports, theater, debate, choir, and volunteer work, the
possibilities for social interaction are just about endless!
Has your teen considered advantages of high school at home, like a super flexible schedule, time to study topics that interest them personally, the chance to begin college-level work while in high school, and opportunities to start their own business
or explore a career through an internship?
What if my teen doesn’t want to be homeschooled?
No doubt about it: being a teenager can be a challenging time! While your teen might not be enthusiastic about the possibility of homeschooling, you can listen empathetically to their concerns and feelings, communicate how much you value their
perspective, and assure them that you want to make the best decision possible.
Many homeschool graduates later admit that although they were reluctant at first to be homeschooled, they are glad their parents stuck with it!
The opportunities of the high school years
As you listen to your teen pour out their hopes, dreams, challenges, and fears, it can help to keep in mind the big picture of this change-filled season in their lives.
The high school years span your teen’s transformation from an awkward adolescent to an accomplished, confident young adult.
During this time, you have the opportunity to help them strengthen family bonds, guide them in practicing good decision-making skills, and provide support as they develop their identity and internal compass.
Choosing homeschooling can offer your high schooler incredible flexibility to really spread their wings and explore their unique interests. It also provides the gift of more time—for your teen to explore artistic expression, develop athletic
prowess, explore various careers or even start a small business, develop leadership skills, volunteer in their community, and deepen relationships.
Homeschooling through high school can be a wonderful journey with your teen and at HSLDA, we have lots of resources to equip and encourage you along the way.
Ready to take the next step?
You can set up your personal homeschool GPS or jump ahead to explore learning readiness and finding curriculum. Or even start making your student’s four-year high school plan.