Four years of homeschool high school are complete and Kid #5 has officially graduated! (Four years for him, but 20 years of homeschool high school for me when you count Kids #1-5…). Praise God for His goodness and some really fun kids!
Homeschool High School: What Kid #5 Had on His Transcript
Someone was asking me what types of courses my kids completed in high school. Each kid was different but here are the courses that Kid #5 covered:
9th Grade:
- (Please note, the links are for 7 Sisters curriculum that we developed and used in our homeschool high school co-op and group classes. The books are kid-tested, homeschool mom approved, no busywork etexts that include instructions for using at various transcript levels.)
- Algebra I (Level 2)
- U.S. History (Honors level)
- Human Development (Level 3)
- Spanish II
- Phys Ed
- Homeschool High School Choir and Madrigal Ensemble
- Homeschool High School Praise Band
- Art Fundamentals
- Drama Production
Notice that in core courses or significant sparkle courses we include the level of rigor of the course. Since my son is college bound, most of the courses are at Level 3 (College Prep) or higher. Want a detailed explanation of levels for your teens’ transcripts? Check out these posts:
- What are levels for the homeschool transcript?
- Do’s and Don’t’s for levels on the homeschool transcript
- How Levels Work (Homeschool Highschool Podcast Episode. Listen in!)
10th Grade:
- Great Christian Writers (Honors Level)
- Geometry (Level 2)
- Biology (Level 3)
- Geography (Level 3)
- Modern World History (Honors Level)
- History of Rock (Honors Level)
- Spanish III
- Phys Ed
- 21st Century Art
- Homeschool Praise Band
- Homeschool Choir and Madrigal Ensemble
Notice that my son is very interested in music. He is building the strength of his transcript in the area of music. If he was headed for a college competitive in music, the transcript would tell about his ability to dig into his musical interests! Even one of his history courses was musical (History of Rock).
Since my son wants part of his college to be debt free, he is starting at the local community college. This means that his levels are not quite as important. However, if he changes his mind, his transcript will show is capability to do college-level work. (Unless suddenly he decided to go into a STEM field, in which case, his homeschool transcript would really need to bulk up in the maths and sciences at higher levels.)
Have you considered starting your college-bound teens at community college? Here are some posts with good information to help you sort through the idea:
- Pros and Cons of Spending the First Two Years After Graduation at Community College
- 4 Reasons to Choose Community College for Homeschool Graduates
- Making the Most Out of Community College (This is a Homeschool Highschool Podcast interview with my son about his time at community college.)
11th Grade:
- World Literature (Honors Level)
- Algebra II (Level 2)
- History and Philosophy of the Western World (Honors Level)
- History of Church Music
- Chemistry (Level 3)
- Latin I
- Phys Ed
- Homeschool Choir and Madrigal Ensemble
- Music Theory I
- Computer Literacy
- Music Industry
- Drama
- Rhetoric
- Homeschool High School Group-Classes Yearbook (editor)
- Leadership
- Drivers Ed
Notice that my son graduated with WAY more than the simple 26 credits he needs for our local state requirements. This is due to two things:
- We believe that ALL of life is education and we want to capture it all on the homeschool transcript.
- We believe that a full transcript better shows the kinds of capabilities and interests that my son holds.
Want more information? Here’s a post on the 26 credits that our local homeschool umbrella school requires for graduation.
12th Grade:
- Studies in CS Lewis and American Literature (Advanced Level)
- Financial Literacy (Level 3)
- Economics (Level 3)
- Psychology (Level 2)
- Latin II
- Philosophy in Four Questions
- Introduction to Critical Thinking (text in editing process)
- Phys Ed
- Music Theory II
- Homeschool Choir and Madrigals Competition Choir
- Voice
- Music Industry II
- Church Worship Theory
- Drama
- Homeschool High School Group-Classes Yearbook Editor
- Community College Home Maintenance Course
As you can see, we leaned heavily into his interests and gifts (leveling up and adding courses in these areas). We didn’t waste his time overshooting in areas of distaste or weakness (such as math- he got that from his mom). Like all my kids, he was accepted into his first-college (he decided to stay local and save money at a nearby college, though).
Just starting your homeschool high school journey? Click here to read more about getting started on a great transcript. Or you might enjoy our friend Betsy’s book on Homeschooling with College in Mind.
What does the Ivy Coach say about what highly selective colleges are looking for in applicants? Click here to find out.
Click here to read more about the necessity of rigor on the homeschool transcript.
Check out my video on The Perfect Transcript to catch our homeschool high school theory.