Homeschool in High School

High School presents unique challenges to the homeschooling family, especially if the student is interested in applying to college. Although parents will need to be organized regarding meeting the prerequisites for the future goals of their children, completing a High School education at home is certainly possible. The following are some options for achieving success.

Earning a High School Diploma

How will a homeschooled high school student earn a diploma? There are several options. Students who enroll in a public charter school or enroll full time at an online private school can earn a standard diploma. This may be important for college applications. Students enrolled in a part-time school, PSP or who file a PSA would earn a unaccredited diploma. However, coursework shown on the student’s transcript could be from accredited programs.

Transcripts

A high school transcript is an official list of the courses taken and the grades earned by the student throughout high school. College applications will require transcripts to be submitted. Students enrolled in a PSP, public charter school or full time at a private online school will request an official transcript directly from the school. Parents who file a Private School Affidavit will need to produce a transcript themselves. For information on minimum high school graduation requirements in California, CLICK HERE If a student is interested in pursuing a college degree after high school, additional courses are advisable. Students who intend to apply to California state universities should understand A-G transcript requirements.

Understanding A-G Requirements

The A-G system is important for students who are California residents and plan to apply to a university within the University of California system or the California State University system. Applicants from California must submit a high school transcript indicating A-G approved courses. Typically students take classes that have been approved by the A-G system. However, specific AP tests or Dual Credit courses can also meet the requirements. Click Here to learn more about meeting A-G requirements. To find out if a particular school or course is A-G approved, search here. If the student is planning to apply to a private university or any state college outside of California, the A-G approval system is not relevant. However, most colleges require a similar set of courses on a student’s transcript, so the A-G requirements can be a good source for reference when planning a student’s high school classes.

Accredited or Not?

Accredited schools have been put through a vetting process performed by one of the nationally recognized accrediting agencies. Completing high school coursework through an accredited program or school is an important consideration if the student intends to apply to college. Many colleges require applicants to submit transcripts indicating accredited coursework. Private School Affidavits (PSA) and Private Satellite Programs (PSP) are not accredited, but students in these types of schools can take accredited classes. Public charter schools and many private online schools are accredited. Dual credit courses can be a good option for students who wish to apply to college after completing high school with a unaccredited diploma. Also, some colleges do not require an accredited high school diploma. Check the specific admissions requirements for any college the student is considering. Students who do not plan to pursue a college education may consider pairing a unaccredited high school diploma with a GED (high school equivalency test). This option can be helpful when applying to a job training program or enlisting in the military after high school.

Public Charter Schools for Homeschooled Students

Most public charter schools provide high school students with $4,000 per year to assist in purchasing curriculum, supplies and classes. A credentialed teacher is assigned to each family to offer guidance on completing all A-G requirements needed for earning a High School diploma. Students graduating from these schools meet the requirements to apply to any college, including schools in the UC and CSU systems. However, coursework options will be limited to non-religious, A-G approved classes. Please visit our web page on public charter schools to learn about some options available in Los Angeles County.

Online High School

There are many schools offering private online High School. When choosing this option, a primary consideration is self paced learning vs. in-person learning. Some schools provide pre-recorded video lessons, and the student completes the coursework on his own and at his own pace. These programs are great if the student is very independent, has a busy sports schedule, or if the family travels often. Alternatively, it may be preferable for the student to have live, in-person meetings with a teacher and strict deadlines for completing homework. Other considerations are accreditation and meeting A-G requirements. Click Here to explore some online high school programs recommended by EdFirstPV.

Part-Time High Schools

Some part-time schools offer a high school program. These programs would provide academic accountability and can be a great place for students to develop friendships. These schools require students to enroll in a PSP, file a PSA or if the program is non-religious, a Public Charter School might be an option.

Dual Credit

Dual Credit (sometimes called Dual Enrollment) courses can be a significant advantage for homeschooled students. Basically, high school students can enroll in classes at a college or university and receive both high school credit and college credit simultaneously. A motivated student can actually earn an Associates Degree while still in high school. Dual credit courses meet A-G requirements. Enrollment fees are waived for high school students who take classes at California Community Colleges. Additionally, many private colleges and universities nationwide offer dual credit courses online. Click Here to learn more about Dual Credit.

SAT Testing

Although the SAT test is not mandatory for applying to many colleges, a good score is advantageous for the homeschooled student. SAT prep classes and practice exams are a worthwhile investment. Also, the SAT test can be taken repeatedly, and typically only the best score is reported on college applications. Kahn Academy offers free SAT training. There are also many tutoring centers throughout the South Bay where students can train for the SAT in person. The SAT test is only offered on specific dates at specific locations. Registration is completed directly through the College Board website. Click here for more information on dates, locations and the registration process.

Sports

Most homeschooled students participate in private sports leagues. Another option is to enroll at South Bay Faith Academy. They are a PSP. Students enrolled at their school can play on sports teams at Pacific Lutheran Jr/Sr High School.

Clubs, Prom, Community, Etc.

Extra curricular activities and friends are important to high school students. There are many local organizations students can join such as Scouts, 4-H, or church youth groups. Regular participation and leadership positions in groups such as these can benefit the student’s college applications as well as provide community and friendships. Some families choose to join a PSP or a Part-Time School because they often provide these types opportunities to students as well as common high school traditions like prom, yearbooks and student government.