Homeschooling through High School?

Question

I would like to homeschool my daughter through high school. But what about college after she gets through with high school. she wants to be a vet. does anyone or has anyone homeschooled thier children through high school, and what curriculum have you used. and did you go through an accredited school?

Answer 1

Growing numbers of universities accept homeschoolers with or without official transcripts (check on individual colleges). See http://learninfreedom.org/colleges_4_hmsc.html and
http://www.homeschoolfriendlycolleges.com/index.html

Many homeschool high school programs give transcripts; costs vary! American School, Keystone, Seton, Conlara with CompuHigh, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, North Dakota Division of Independent Study, Univ. of Missouri, Oak Meadow, etc. (websearch this and request info. from your favorites).

Accredidation of homeschool programs ALSO varies. The "Big 6" (main) accreditors are: Middle States Association, New England Association of Schools and Colleges, North Central Assoc., North West Assoc., Sourthern Assoc., and Western Association. Other accredidations don't carry as much clout, but they do show the school has been examined.

State colleges tend to be pickier about accredidation of hs transcripts. Private schools have more flexibility. Some colleges already have a history of preferring home schoolers (see lists above)!

ALSO, if your daughter goes to a community college first (which saves you money), the 4 year school will not care what accredidation her high school transcript has, be it from you or from an expensive company. They'd look closely at her cc grades.

If she continues to be serious about veterinarian school, apprentice her to a local vet in high school (volunteer work). That gives her hands-on experience that will either "cure" her passion or give her something good to put on transcripts for college. She'd need classes heavy in science and math (check Apologia books for science, Teaching Textbooks for math)

Good luck!!

Answer 2

Homeschooling is quickly being more and more recognized as homeschoolers take SATs and ACTs and continue to do better than most of their peers. As for colleges, I would call some colleges in your local are and even call a few Vet schools and talk to them. They should be willing to share with you their opinions and input on homeschoolers. Most colleges will accept homeschooled kids if they do well on the entrance tests. Many homeschoolers get connected with an online school or a distance learning program that provides a diploma at the end. I am not sure of the name of the school but could find out for you but I know of one in Maine and many large universities are sponsoring home school programs now too. Churches would be the best place to get assistance with homeschooling.

Answer 3

Hi. I was homeschooled from third grade through 12th grade. We used a curriculum called A Beka Book (which I would highly reccomend). My mom is a tremendously organized person, and she kept track of everything we did and had to do throughout the day. She made a planning book, and my brother and I would check off what we had accomplished that day. We had a very rigid schedule, we didn't take holidays (but then we took a month off in the fall for a family vacation or something).

We took standardized state tests every year. We did book reports, research papers, and got involved with coop groups. We did science projects, participated in science fairs, and did 4H. We took driver's ed at the local high school. It was very important for us to have deadlines.

All of our socialization came from church, where were we exposed to many different kinds of people, experiences, and other sources for responsibility.

After we finished high school, I went to school 1000 miles away, and my brother went to a local college. Neither of us had trouble adapting.

An accredited school is best, especially for a vet. But if you can't find one, well, someone once told me that cream rises to the top. Hard work and will often make up for a lot . . . .

Good luck and God bless.

Answer 4

I am currently homeschooling through a program called Penn Foster and it seems to be working out really well. I would absolutely recommend that you create a proper schedule when homeschooling high school and try to find out about colleges and things before starting up on school because it makes it much easier during the ending term; you're alittle more prepared. I know from experience that not having a proper schedule or be prepared for college can do a lot of damage so be careful! For more information you can go to http://pennfoster.com/

Answer 5

I did! :-) We were connected with a church school as a covering that let us choose our own curriculum and whatnot--we just needed to show them our records at the end of the year (you really need to know what the laws are in your particular state). Curriculum-wise it doesn't really matter--as long as you are teaching your daughter the requirements for highschool and keeping records it should be fine. I would recommend being under some kind of ISP. Of course, as the homeschool-ee I don't know all the details as my mom would. But as far as curriculum, I used some ACE (schooloftomorrow.com?), Alpha Omega, took some outside classes for Spanish and whatnot, and sometimes my mom just researched info herself and taught it to me. IT IS POSSIBLE TO HIGHSCHOOL THROUGH HOMESCHOOL so don't be worried. It is a great desire. It is possible to have your daughter go to college afterwards too. There is an old book called Hothouse Transplants by Matt Duffy I think that is full of stories of people that graduated from homeschool highschool. May God richly bless you!

Answer 6

We have homeschooled through high school and have had no problems with college work. We used no set curriculum, but encouraged our children to follow their interests and thoroughly study in their areas of interest.

Both my husband and I went to vet school, and I believe that a homeschooled student could be better prepared for the rigorous academics of pre-vet courses and vet-school than a public-schooled student.

Answer 7

I was homeschooled from K through 12th Grade. It didn't make a lick of difference in college. In fact, some scholorships were impressed with what I was able to accomplish being Home Schooled (such as experience gained working with dad/grandpa, church activites, etc). I am now ready to graduate with a BS in Engineering if I'd just stop answering stuff on yahoo and get to studying for finals.

I'd say it depends on the family on how well it will work for you. But, if you are motivated and have plenty of outside of the home activites I think its a good option.

We used various curriculum. Saxon for Math. Bob Jones for History.

We went through a program called "HomeLink" offered by the Battle Ground School District in Washington State for accredidation. I'd recommend that you try to stay away from the GED option, because that is just one more thing to have to "explain" for job interviews and scholorship applications.

Answer 8

We're not there yet (oldest will be 6th grade this fall), but I have READ that colleges and university's are starting to seek out homeschoolers because 1) their SAT/ACT scores are much higher (on average) and 2) the adjustment to college is much easier for them because they already possess the independent study skills so necessary in college.

I don't think you really need a specific curriculum as long as you document everything you have done and keep a transcript (and a portfolio). I know HSLDA's site has info on preparing for college, so you might check there to see what they have to say.

Best wishes!

Answer 9

My brother and I were homeschooled when I was in 3rd through 5th grade (he 5th through 7th). Mom had to put us back in the public school system after that, though, because she could not learn the algebra (she tried taking it, and failed herself).

I've heard of people who are homeschooled through high school (which is good, with all the trouble there), and I know that a couple of them started in the community college--then transferred (after 2 years) to a 4-year college.

Answer 10

I have a friend whose daughter just graduated high school through home school, and also a nephew. Depending on which curriculum you choose there should be no problems with college. My son uses a computer based school which keeps track of grades, transcripts, etc.and it has proven to be a very good program. The link is below.