As we begin homeschooling high school (in the fall), I’m realizing just how different this season feels from the younger years — but also how exciting it is to help shape a 9th grade homeschool plan that keeps future options open.
But also, wow. I truly can’t believe I’m here writing this. The younger years of homeschooling absolutely flew by and now I’m here figuring out biology with lab options, geometry, and Spanish instead of the library, nature walks and crafts. The good news is she is ready for this next challenge, even if my heart is taking its time catching up.
When we started homeschooling we committed to taking one year at a time and adjusting as we went to best fit the needs of our kids. I’m proud to say we’ve done that pretty well and my goodness, how we’ve enjoyed the journey. This coming year will be another adjustment for us but one I think is appropriate and best fits our current needs.
Our plan for homeschooling high school started with talking with Hailey about what she wants to do after graduation. That’s a pretty big ask of a 14 year old and while we of course did not expect her to have it all mapped out, it helped to start having these conversations and seeing what excited her. Ultimately we decided we wanted her to have options; one of those options being large public universities.
From there I went down a rabbit hole of researching what some of these colleges were looking for in admitted students. I did this through visiting websites, emailing admissions, and watching internet videos from college admission coaches.
David and I also talked about factors outside of academic pursuits and liked the idea of her having social opportunities, like prom, expanding her social circle, and continuing to develop time management skills. With all these factors combined, we pieced together our plan.
The plan is to outsource some of the core academic classes that are more challenging to navigate at home, like science with a lab and foreign language. The teaching side of me is thrilled with this! The emo side of me will have to adjust to her being out of the house two days a week. The logical side of me believes this is a solid next step for all of us.
For 9th grade, Hailey will be taking:
- Honors Biology with lab
- Honors English with American Lit
- Honors Spanish I
- Honors Geometry
- Engineering Design (Elective)
- Fine Arts Study
The science, English, Spanish, and Engineering Design will be outsourced and geometry, art and music study will be using Saxon and Nicole the Math Lady and BF Music Appreciation and BF Art Appreciation respectively.
She’ll also be continuing with her piano and music theory program, as well as playing soccer and basketball. Our fall season is going to be exciting and full!
It’s a crazy place to be as a parent nowadays, trying to navigate education with the rise of AI. We’re watching and learning and keeping our focus on raising capable, creative, problem solvers that understand technology but aren’t overly dependent on it. It’s quite the task!
However, I’m so grateful to be here (and to have David actively engaged by my side) to help guide our girls into this new frontier, doing our best to balance academics and real world skills.
But first, we will fully enjoy all the wonders of summer schedule! Read alouds, hobbies, crafts, outdoor activities… and yes, a little math still, too 😉
Any questions? What are your thoughts about education and AI? I could speculate for hours about how things might change over the next few years; an engaging discussion indeed!
Amber says
Thanks for sharing! Crazy to think she is going into high school- I’ve followed you since before you even made the decision to homeschool! As a fellow homeschooler (my kids are still in the elementary years) I have a few questions..
1) You mentioned researching what various college websites and emailing admissions. Did you find that many are looking for different things or was it easy to narrow down similarities?
2) Without giving away anything you want to keep private, are you outsourcing the subjects to a tutor? Or is it like a university type model? Does North Carolina still consider her a homeschooler if so? I live in Indiana and in order for my kids to be considered “traditional homeschoolers,” I have to provide over 50% of the education on my own so I’m wondering what that looks like as my kids get older.
3) Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently with her elementary and middle years? My oldest will be in 6th grade with me in the fall and I feel the internal tug of wanting to continue all the read-alouds, nature studies, arts, etc while also wanting to make sure he is prepared for what’s ahead…while also trying to balance homeschooling 2 other kiddos. 😉
I always appreciate your kind, intentional insight. I also appreciate your thoughtfulness in sharing information about your homelife without invading the privacy of your daughters. You seem to navigate the online life so well. <3
Brittany Dixon says
Thank you so much for the kind words! <3 I truly love sharing our journey as we figure it out as we go. As for your questions:
1) They all certainly have their own preferences, but I feel like some general tips applied to all: take the most rigorous course load available to you, score well on ACT or SAT because that is easier for schools to compare because it's a more standardized measurement (versus GPA- many colleges don't even use the GPA you submit, they take your grades and classes and calculate it based on their own formula), better to go deeper in one extra curricular/art/sport/passion project than be in many things but only at a surface level.
2) She is very much still considered homeschooled. The program we are using is a co-op that offers a la carte classes, so she can take as few or as many classes as she wants. There are classes two days a week (but again, that could be as little as 1 hour per day, if she were taking a single class) and then assigned work for the at home days. It's considered an academic co-op that comes alongside parents in their education journey.
3) For elementary and middle school I'd still lean deeply into Charlotte Mason because I appreciate the approach of educating the whole person and fully believe quality literature, nature, art, music, and life skills are a huge part of that. Academically in those years, I'd focus mainly on reading ability and solid basic math skills. Then I'd kick science, history, etc up a notch between 7th and 8th grade. Just my two cents though 🙂
Wish we could grab a cup of tea and talk it all over- I find it so fun to talk through all the options and hear what works for others.
Amy says
As someone with a soon to be freshman, it all feels overwhelming. Also, how did we get here so fast?!
Brittany Dixon says
I truly do not know how we are suddenly here. Pause, please, time! <3
Sammie says
That sounds amazing! My husband used to be the headmaster of a two day a week classical school and everyone loved it! Go Hailey!
Sally says
I love these posts!
I homeschooling my two daughters and I was homeschooled. I majored in elementary education and love educational theory and curriculum development.
My girls are very young so I very much appreciate you sharing so much of your homeschool journey.
Brittany Dixon says
Oh wow! You have such an amazing background and knowledge base for raising and teaching your daughters; they are so fortunate! Enjoy the journey; I know I sure have <3