Homeschooling High School: The 4-year Plan

Photo credit: MS Word

Recently I gave a rally cry for all of you contemplating homeschooling your kids through high school.  So today, in an effort to give a glimpse of what one child’s high school plan looks like, I want to share Catz’s 4-year plan.  

Remember, a plan is a guideline.  There is no need to set everything in stone when your child enters high school.  That’s part of the beauty…having the option to change things around to suit the needs of your child.  And also keep this in mind: each child is different.  A plan for one kid will not be exactly the same as your other kids.  

Sure, certain requirements will dictate particular subjects are taken by all {i.e., everyone needs to take English}. But feel free to choose with your child those courses that are best suited to his or her gifts and line up with possible higher education plans.

{Go here to see how this year's credits break down and to learn what curriculum/publishers we're using.}

Required Courses/Credits

This course of study is based on the following credit requirements set forth by our homeschool group, with some courses falling under guidelines from the State of Florida:

• English –  4 credits
• Math – 4 credits {must include one credit of Algebra 1 plus 3 higher math}
• Science – 3 credits  {must include two labs}
• Social Studies – 3 credits  {must include World History, American History, American Government and Economics}
• Bible - .5 credit for each year
• Foreign Language – 2 credits
• Performing and Fine Art – 1 credit
• Personal Fitness and Physical Education - .5 credit of each
• Electives – 4 credits

Total minimum credits required – 24

 

9th Grade {8.5 cr}*
English 1  {English – 1 cr}
Algebra 2   {math – 1 cr}  *Catz completed Algebra 1 in 8^th grade, which our state allows to be counted as 1 high school credit.
Biology  {science w/lab – 1 cr}
World History  {social studies – 1 cr}
Spanish 1  {foreign language – 1 cr}
Bible  {bible – .5 cr}
Creative Photography  {fine arts – 1 cr}
Computer Applications 1  {elective – 1 cr}

10^th Grade  {9.5 cr}
Personal Fitness and Phys. Ed.  {P.F. and Phys. Ed. – 1 cr}  *taken during summer break
English 2  {English – 1 cr}
Geometry   {math – 1 cr} 
Chemistry  {science w/lab – 1 cr}
American History  {social studies – 1 cr}
Spanish 2  {foreign language – 1 cr}
Bible  {bible – .5 cr}
Computer Applications 2  {elective – 1 cr}
Drawing 1  {elective – 1 cr}
Voice  {elective - 1 cr}

11^th Grade   {6.5 cr}
English 3  {English – 1 cr}
Advanced Topics in Math OR Pre-Calculus   {math – 1 cr} 
Marine Biology  {science w/lab – 1 cr}
American Government  {social studies – .5 cr}
Economics  {social studies – .5 cr}
Bible  {bible – .5 cr}
Painting 1 {elective – 1 cr}
French 1  {elective – 1 cr}

12^th Grade   {3.5 cr}
British Literature  (English – 1 cr}
Bible  {bible – .5 cr}
French 2 OR German 1  {elective – 1 cr}
Internship  {elective - 1 cr}

Total credits attempted - 28 {with many extra electives}

Again, this is just a plan.  Will it change? Possibly. When Catz is in 11^th grade, she might enroll with College Prep for a year and then move into regular College Plus.  Alternatively {or after College Plus}, she may enroll in a local multi-media university. We shall see.  She has many plans herself so we will trust where God leads us for her future.

How are your plans going for your high schooler?  Are you hoping to homeschool your child or children through high school?  I’d love for you to comment and share your plans!