Homeschooling High School -- A Whole New Ball of Wax

If you had asked Joe or I thirteen years ago, when we began reading about and studying homeschooling, if we would choose to homeschool through high school -- I'm pretty sure our answer would have been a doubtful, "No." But here we are!!

Actually, it seems like the natural next step. Josiah is now completing his 8th grade year and has already accrued 3 1/2 credits toward his high school transcript this year. Each year we evaluate to see if the choice to homeschool is still academically, emotionally, spiritually, and yes! socially the best path for our children. Thus far, we have no reason to see otherwise but instead a myriad of reasons to continue.

With all that said, let me just be completely frank -- this is gonna be a whole new ball of wax! I felt the change beginning two years ago actually. We've always worked so diligently to make sure that our school atmosphere and learning was delight directed. But ... the bland, ugly, naked truth is -- Spanish I is not a delight for Josiah. Neither is Algebra I. Next year when he spends an hour each day working on the diagramming and sentence structures (which we've reviewed for the past 3 years!) necessary in the required English 9 class ... I seriously doubt if he'll be smiling and skipping his way through it! :)

Such is the reality of homeschooling high school. I would love to tell you that we planned to live in the upper meadows of Canada surrounded by jersey dairy cows, organic produce, and a few fluffy sheep for good measure. In such a setting, it would be picturesque as we sought to train our children in the fine arts of homemaking and sustenance farming .... ahhhhh.

The reality is -- that is definitely NOT my husband's vision for the future of our children. He (and therefore I) desire for them to be academically prepared for a higher education (whichever path that leads to). Moreover, this academic training needs to involve learning valuable skills which will enable them to LIVE IN and be successful and competitive in the real world with people of all values, colors, races, religions, and liberal views .

And so -- here I am, surrounded by high school transcript how-to's, videos, conference schedule dates, and books (as well as some lovely, capable, and STILL ALIVE TO TELL ABOUT IT homeschooling moms of teens) learning alongside my son as we venture this path together. Thankfully (and oh ... how many times have I thanked the Lord that Josiah was first because he is so forgiving!), Josiah is willing to figure this out with me. He's actually thrilled and excited (not for Grammar 9 however). Next year he'll be studying:
-- World History (19th century - present)
-- Finishing Algebra I and moving on to Algebra II
-- 9th Grade English
-- Spanish II *
-- Speech/Communications *
-- High School Biology *
-- Personal Finance *
-- Government/Constitutional Law *
-- Fine Arts (violin) *
-- P.E.
-- Teen Bible Quizzing *

All of the courses with a * by them are involving either outside educators as tutors, teachers, or evaluators, some with a more formal classroom schedule and others just coming to the house to help with each week's lesson. And, for all you concerned grandparents out there, many of these courses involve Josiah interacting with and learning alongside his friends and peers. Of course, this doesn't include the computer skills he learns with his uncle, nor practical life skills involved in living and working on 8 acres in Idaho (and we DO raise our own vegetables, fruit, honey, poultry, eggs, and hopefully soon - beef. Joe will have nothing to do with fluffy white sheep unfortunately!). Nor does it include the reality of journeying this path with many other homeschooling families who provide a myriad of social opportunities to have fun -- usually as families, but sometimes just as teens.

The future looks bright. Thankfully, more and more opportunities come out of the woodwork (or the computer!) for higher level learning to become a reality. At this point, I am rarely teacher. Instead -- my role is best summed up in the words "facilitator, encourager, and fellow student". This is pretty cool actually! What a privilege and joy. I'm no longer quaking in my boots ... just looking cautiously and carefully to what the Lord has planned ahead.