Answers to the 15 Biggest Questions about Homeschooling High School

It’s possible to become disabled by fear or anxiety when it comes to homeschooling high school. Your job is to learn enough before your children get to high school so you don’t panic and bail out. Spend a moment removing your fear of homeschooling high school, so you can move forward with confidence.

Parent’s often have many questions when it comes to homeschooling high school. In fact, so many so that they often bail just before their kids enter high school by sending their kids off to public school. It doesn’t have to be that way. 

Read on to see if any of these 15 biggest homeschooling high school questions are ones that you struggle with.

 1. Is homeschooling illegal?

2. Do I need to be a certified teacher to homeschool?

Although there are some certified teachers that homeschool, you do not have to be a certified teacher to homeschool. While you don’t need a teacher certification to homeschool, there are many states where you must have a high school diploma to homeschool your children. You know and love your child more than anyone else. The best certification you can have is the desire to work hard to provide your child the best education possible. 

3.  Can someone else homeschool my child for me?

That’s a question whose answer varies state to state. In some cases, homeschooling is only allowed by a parent or guardian. Other states have allowances for a tutor to homeschool and in some states, people who have a license to teach may be employed to homeschool a child. Check your state’s laws to be sure where your state guidelines fall in this spectrum.

4. How much does it cost to homeschool?

Another question where the answer can vary. Depending on the type of curriculum you purchase, or whether you purchase any at all, homeschooling can be done for $0 up to as much as you want to or are able to spend.

5. How do I choose curriculum?

There are many routes you can take in order to come up with choosing the best homeschool curriculum for your family. Parent’s should consider their child’s learning style in addition to how much time they can devote to each school day. Once you’ve talked through those things, you can choose a method that best fits your involvement allowance and your style of teaching. There are many helpful tips on the internet about how to consider all of these things.

6.  How will my child get a diploma?

Your child will get a diploma through you. At the end of their high school career, you’ll make a diploma and give it to your child. You may even want to have a celebration to commemorate the end of high school. I did and it’s a great pivot point for your child to be able to look back at as an accomplishment. You can look back at my article, Homeschool Graduation Checklist as a way to see the progression of a homeschool graduation.

A homeschool diploma has value. Unaccredited public schools can provide a diploma, and so unaccredited homeschool families can do the same. Providing your child with a diploma is a meaningful rite of passage. A quick visit to HomeschoolDiploma.com can provide that symbol of success. Yet education is not about the piece of paper. The paper doesn’t matter — the education matters.

7. What about accreditation?

We have all been conditioned to think that when something is labeled “certified” or “accredited,” it is somehow superior to those things that are not. While this might be true for “Certified Angus Beef,” it is not necessarily true for education. 

Accreditation is a process in which school standards are evaluated by an accreditation agency. In the United States, this process is not completed by the federal government, but by states or private companies with varying rules and standards. Homeschools, just like some public & private schools, are not required to be accredited. If you find a company that says otherwise, they are trying to get your money. Read more about accreditation in my article here.

8. Do I need an accredited transcript?

Although the transcript will be made by you, it is not required to be labeled as accredited. Colleges and universities will view a homeschool the same as a public or private school that is not accredited.

To get templates and teaching on how to make a homeschool transcript, check out my Total Transcript Solution.

9. What about socialization?

Ahhhh, the ever popular socialization question. I understand your fears, because on the outside, it can look as though homeschoolers are secluded from the rest of the world. The reality is that homeschoolers are very socialized, within their own peer groups and outside of their peer groups. It isn’t unusual for homeschoolers to be very able to talk to people of all ages because, often, it’s what they are used to. They have more time to develop true friendships with those who share their interests and values, rather than shallow relationships based on proximity and age. You can read more about socialization in my post here.

10. What about teaching math?

We are in a golden age of homeschooling. Never in history have there been so many excellent resources to help the mathematically challenged parent teach advanced subjects. Find the right fit so you will not merely survive but thrive while teaching high school math.

Dry your tears! Help for teaching high school math is easy to find. Read High School Math the Easy Way.

11.  What about teaching English?

This can be the most over-taught and over-stressed subject! Some parents think it must take thousands of hours with buckets of tears, but for homeschoolers, teaching English can be a real joy! Be sure to include both reading AND writing, and you have covered the core you need. How do you feel about English this coming year? For me, English seemed scary, difficult to teach, and definitely intimidating. Now I know better! Read A Parent’s Primer for Teaching High School English.

12. What about teaching Science?

Look, teaching high school science isn’t rocket science! You don’t actually have to work at NASA to teach your teens effectively. Teaching your kids science requires a willing heart, an organized approach, and some simple facilitation skills. It doesn’t require a PhD. and there is no reason for science to be scary. If you are anxious, you’ll love this quick read, Simple Science for Homeschooling High School.

13. What about getting scholarships?

Homeschoolers have the advantage in finding scholarships, because you can incorporate it right into your schoolwork! Did you know you can give high school credit to your children for working on college scholarships? True story! To retain the love of learning, it’s important to combine things when you can, and kill the proverbial two birds with one stone.

If now is the time to look for scholarships, learn and earn with this two-for-one strategy! My favorite English plan for junior or senior year! Read College Scholarships for High School Credit.

14. Will a homeschooled child succeed in college?

The short answer is yes. Many homeschooled children have gone on to be very successful in college! (And, many colleges now seek out homeschooled children because they know how to learn on their own!) The National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) reports that children who are educated at home typically score 15 to 30% higher than public school students on standardized academic achievement tests. And, interestingly, this number doesn’t have any indication of differences dependent upon the education or financial of the parent.

15. Will colleges accept my child’s homeschool transcript?

Yes!  In the competitive world of college admission and scholarships, homeschool records are one of the biggest advantages a student can have. And, in a time when colleges are looking for a child that’s well rounded, you’ll be right on track. Homeschoolers can highlight the strengths and gifts of their students, demonstrated in their unique coursework and activities. Of course, you should also include the courses your child didn’t excel in, but you have the freedom to highlight your child’s individuality and make them shine.

I hope these answers have helped to put your mind at ease. If you’d like to talk to me for individualized, personal consultations, consider joining the Gold Care Club.