Homeschooling Highschool

Wondering about Homeschooling
Highschool?

You’ve had 12 or 13 great years of knowing your child, teaching them by example, peering over their schoolbooks, praying for and with them, watching their friendships grow…

Can the number 12 or 13 really mean it’s time to hand them off?

Homeschooling highschool is a privilege. Yes, it’s work. Yes, you will wonder if you are preparing them for the next step.

BUT YES! You can do this! You don’t want to miss the benefits to homeschooling high school. Give us a call, and let us connect you to families that have been on this journey.

RESEARCH

Why Homeschool the High School Years?

You’ve read through our Homeschool 101 guide. You’re ready to face the new school year. But wait – your student is entering high school! Should you continue homeschooling?

Here are 10 reasons to homeschool the high school years:

Continue the family building process.
Cement family relationships.
Provide an excellent learning environment.
Individualize education based on needs.
Accelerate academic progress.
Have direct influence over peer relationships.
Protect from the pressure to conform.
Maintain flexibility.
Create a safe learning environment.
Allow God to show Himself strong.

What are the goals for the high school years?

Can I homeschool high school?

Absolutely!

What do I need to homeschool high school?

You, your spouse your child are on the same page
Committment – this is not just a trial for a day!
A general idea of goals
Access to resources – our vendors are there for you
Prayer – as in every walk of life!

What are the benefits of homeschooling high school?

The 10 benefits listed to the left truly do outline the areas of greatest benefit – stronger family relationships, flexibility in learning through content, style, location & timing, access to alternative teachers & resources, the building of your child’s aspirations as they see the magnitude of options available – and during a time of maturing, being able to learn from their parents how to respond to God.

What about diplomas?

This question most often refers to the OSSD Ontario Secondary School Diploma. It is often requested by universities as a requirement for application. Many homeschool families simply homeschool the first 3 years of high school, then use an online source for the grade 12 year and the OSSD.

On the other hand, many universities now recognize applications by home-educated students.
UniversityAdmissions.ca is a great resource to find out which ones do!

Minimum Ontario course requirements:

30 credits total, along with 40 hours community service and a literacy test:

4 English
3 math
2 science
1 history
1 geography
1 arts
1 health
1 French
½ career
½ civics
15 other electives

What about trades?

The strongest challenge to trades is finding the business or entrepreneur who will take your student on as an apprentice. And this is true whether your child is in the public system or at home. That our society needs more trained trades is evident every day!

Homeschooling allows flexibility for fitting into your sponsor’s timetable.

Check out Skilled Trades in Ontario schools (ontario.ca) for further information.

RESOURCES

Basics of Homeschooling the High School Years

STEPS for homeschooling high school to post-secondary (with thanks to Lisa Marie Fletcher for a great outline!):

1) Diploma or no diploma

This really depends on your child’s post-secondary goals and your family’s preferences.

Register with an accredited supplier for accredited courses for OSSD (Ontario Secondary School Diploma). Suppliers include public secondary schools, private schools, virtual and online schools
Create your own program & document well, issue your own transcript & diploma (sample transcript available)
Grade 9 – 11: do your own thing followed by grade 12 using accredited courses

What are the pros and cons of these options?

Pros for OSSD – easier for post-secondary acceptance & recognition
Cons to OSSD – course requirements that might not meet your preference either for delivery or worldview
Pros to do your own thing – choose method, timing & curriculum. Most universities recognize homeschooling, which may provide more flexibility for your family life & adventures
Cons to do your own thing – more hoops to jump through later, but can be done

2) Make a Plan – be proactive

“Without goals, and plans to reach them, you are like a ship that has set sail with no destination.” — Fitzhugh Dodson

Minimum Ontario course requirements for homeschooling high school: 30 credits total, 40 hours community service, literacy test

4 English, 3 math, 2 science, 1 history, 1 geography, 1 arts, 1 health, 1 French, ½ career, ½ civics
15 other electivesPrerequisites
Start looking at potential post-secondary studies and the prerequisites listed for entrance – these will be the courses your student should be prepared to study in grade 12, then check for the grade 11 course prerequisites for those grade12 courses. Grade 9 and grade 10 courses will be more flexible.
Your Own Plan
Keep in mind your student may ‘change the direction of the ship’ as you’re homeschooling highschool
If appropriate, include courses that are often considered standard fare – math, science, English
This is a great opportunity to work within the framework of your student’s interests, abilities and goals

3) Pick a Study Program

Pick a curriculum & study method that works both for your student and for your family
Many of our vendors will be able to help you more specifically
Understand your student’s learning style Guide Your Curriculum With The 4+ Learning Styles
Refer to the Table on Alternate Routes to Credits
Many on-line, public/private/self study options – one or a combination will likely work for you.

4) Be disciplined

“A year from now you may wish you had started today.” ― Karen Lamb
“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.” – Jim Rohn

It really is satisfying to reach your goal in homeschooling highschool. It’s quite easy to accomplish step by step.

Remove unnecessary distractions
Make a realistic schedule that leaves room for exploration of other interests
Look at each day as a gift to be used for His glory, not to be wasted

5) Add Extras

All add to transcript + life + maturity
Recognize the need for social interaction

6) Keep Records

Use planner, digital tool, etc.

What about University and College?

7 Ways to get into university without an OSSD – Sarah Rainsberger (www.universityadmissions.ca)

As a mature student – over 18
With the presentation of standardized test scores – SAT, ACT
With a year of university courses received from an open university – i.e. Athabasca University.
As a transfer applicant from a junior college – provinces other than Ontario, possibly use as a stepping stone for Ontario
With a portfolio – standardized tests, samples, external recommendations, evaluated work external to parents
With the “Top Six” (unique to Ontario) – grade 12 credits only based on program prerequisites through accredited school
May not get OSSD but still receive credits on OSR (Ontario Student Record)
With a little smooth talking!

What are the minimum OSSD credit requirements?

Minimum Ontario course requirements: 30 credits total, 40 hours community service, literacy test.

4 English, 3 math, 2 science, 1 history, 1 geography, 1 arts, 1 health, 1 French, ½ career, ½ civics
15 other electives

What options are available for high school?

Some of the options available include:

1. Customize your course of study
– include basic courses
– include interest courses
– include a variety of learning options

2. Select a complete curriculum from a curriculum provider and study at home

3. Outsource the supervision of your course
– accredited on-line programs
– non-accredited on-line programs

4. Enlist in your local high school for some courses

5. Combination of any of the above

What about dual credits?

Attaining OSSD + Post-Secondary certificate/diploma/degree/apprenticeship through Ministry of Education

Eligibility is determined by school board, principal or guidance department

Dual credits reduce risk of not graduating, while also helping your student explore career pathways.

This also helps with the transition to college or an apprenticeship program.

Search for dual credit programs at local college as you look into dual credits!

Planning for High School – Online Schooling Options:

Virtual providers have been pushing for prior credits with their service. OCHEC will be checking how this system operates now. What you learn, please share with us.

Quick summary : VLC appears more supportive than ILC, & less expensive, costs in this chart were input 2 years ago, and are susceptible to updating!

DISTANCE	Non-school	KHAN Academy
	Public Virtual school	AMDEC (Avon-Maitland)	Enrolled with local hs
		ILC	$40/course OSSD
		Open School	Asynchronous, continuous Gr 11 & 12 only
		VLC (Trillium Lakes)	As above, web + async
	Private Virtual schools	Blyth Academy	$500+/course Customized hs, start anytime
		Bright Minds	$500/course ,OSSD Global, Ministry guidelines
		Christian Virtual School	$440-$$550/course OSSD Asynchronous
		Canada eSchool	$500-$600/course OSSD
		Lighthouse Academy	$450-$750 OSSD Asynchronous/synchro.
		Onstudy Academy	$450/course Limited courses
		Ontario Virtual School	$450-$500/course 4 wk- 12 mo /course Marks sent to OUAC
		Toronto eSchool	$600/course Tutoring also
		Uchenna Academy	$430-$580/course OSSD Equivalency OR proof can do the work
		Virtual HighSchool Ontario	$480-$500/course Asynch, up to 18mos IEP, all on-line
		Ontario eSchool	$125/course OSSD 12 mos to complete No enrol required
EQUIVALENCY	GED	Testing program administered by ILC	Certificate ≠ OSSD 18 yrs old, not attended regular hs for 1 yr
	PLAR Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition) https://www.dpcdsb.org/programs-services/secondary/secondary-course-calendar/prior-learning-assessment-and-recognition	Guelph 519-836-7280 (x627) Dufferin t 519-941-2661 N.Wellington 519-323-4840	Enrolled in school or ILC OSSD credits Challenge vs equivalency

SUPPORT

Support for the High School Years

Top 10 Questions about Homeschooling High School:

How can I be homeschooling high school when I don’t know/remember the material myself?

You don’t have to be an expert in all the subject, or even in any of them
It’s okay to not always have all the answers
Resources are in abundance, and often include a teacher’s manual
You will be able to “trade” your expertise with other mothers in your area/group
Primary goal is to teach your student how to be resourceful and how to develop into independent learners. This is best started before the high school years but can be developed now too!

How do I know which material to cover or where to begin as I’m homeschooling high school

Consider first, with your child, your child’s interests and goals: These may be take a different path than yours. Make a long list of immediate goals, and then a short list of long-term goals
Determine the prerequisites for the long-term goals: i.e. should there be a concentration in the maths & science, or should you lean towards literature and music? Whichever is selected, know that it is wise to include studies from each type of field along the way
Curriculum guidelines can be found through curriculum providers, generic scope and sequence tables, and high school course calendars
Joining local homeschooling group, if possible, should be a priority. This provides social interaction for your young adult, support for you, access to information, and suggestions and material from other parents. There are also Facebook groups dedicated to high school.

How will my child get to university without an OSSD?

Universities have developed policies to address homeschooled applicants
See section on 7 Ways to get into University without an OSSD.

Is this legal?

YES! PPM 131 covers high school too.

Alternate ways to earn high school credits

At home with textbooks/courses you provide
Use of virtual schools, whether public/private/Christian
Practical hands-on life experience and training

What are PLAR, AP & CLEP?

PLAR = Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition: enroll in accredited program (local school, ILC), which gives you access to OSSD

AP = Advanced Placement (USA): apstudents.collegeboard.org. Includes courses & exams that give high school & college credits. Your student can write the exam without taking the course. Look for internet applications, courses and exam writing.

CLEP = College Level Exam Prep (USA): colleges may accept credit for a few exams, or for all of them (34 available). The CLEP tests involve multiple choice, numeric, essay, and listening types of questions. Look for internet applications, courses and exam writing online!

What about Apprenticeship?

Curriculum assessed by college instructor/professor
If enrolled in local high school, this marks goes on student’s transcript
Minister of Training and Colleges &Universities records the completion
Often parent/student needs to find a willing apprenticeship placement
Need to work with the local school re time, required coursework
Need to work within WSIB etc guidelines

Royal Military College – still requires OSSD, even if you have a BA!Read more here.

Coming Soon

Is there a Facebook group?

Here are a few Facebook groups where you can interact with parents homeschooling the high school years:

Let’s find you Community.

Forms

This answer is as varied as one’s own parameters. Many have experienced an affordable yet rich education for less than public school and certainly less than private school. The focus shifts largely from expenses of mandatory dress code or clothes expectations, packed or bought lunches, and transportation to quality books, reusable/resalable curriculum and life experiences.