Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers

Honest. Quirky. Real. Practical tips, candid reviews, and stereotype-smashing humor for homeschooling families.

Honest. Quirky. Real. Practical tips, candid reviews, and stereotype-smashing humor for homeschooling families.

The Best Homeschool Curriculum for High School

By Kris Bales

It can be difficult to find the best homeschool curriculum for high school, but these were some of our family’s favorites.

The number of credits needed to graduate public high school varies by state. For homeschoolers, the amount required depends on factors such as state homeschooling laws and umbrella school requirements. Often, homeschooling parents set their own graduation requirements.

Assuming a student takes six classes each semester, 20-24 credit hours is a good guide. Following is some of the best homeschool curriculum for high school that we’ve found to help your student earn those credits.

The Best Homeschool Curriculum for High School

High School English Curriculum

Four credit hours are typical for English. During all four years of high school, English credit usually includes literature and composition. It may also include grammar, vocabulary, speech, and writing research papers. We like to incorporate literature with history. We’ll read American literature while studying U.S. history or British and world literature with world history. [Read more…]

Exciting Homeschool Science Curriculum That Makes Teaching Science Easy

By Kris Bales

If you’re looking for thorough, easy-to-understand, biblical homeschool science curriculum for elementary, middle, and high school, check out Science Shepherd.

Homeschool science options are plentiful for the lower grades but dwindle quickly by the time high school rolls around. The choices decline even more for families who want a thorough, easy-to-understand science curriculum featuring a Christian worldview.

If that describes what you’re seeking for your teen, let me introduce you to Science Shepherd.

(Psst…They offer science for elementary and middle school, too.)

Exciting Homeschool Science Curriculum That Makes Teaching Science Easy

Science Shepherd Homeschool Science Curriculum

Science Shepherd curriculum was developed for homeschoolers by a homeschool dad who also happens to be a medical doctor with a Bachelor of Science degree. We got the chance to review the high school biology text. Dr. Hardin achieved his goal of creating an excellent upper-level, student-directed science course that even science-phobic homeschool parents can teach with confidence. [Read more…]

Homeschooling High School Pros and Cons You Need to Know

By Kris Bales

There are advantages and disadvantages to homeschooling high school. Learn the homeschooling high school pros and cons you need to know.

As my friend and I walked the track that spring day, I made a quiet, shameful confession. “Sometimes I wish I’d sent my kids to public school just so all this, good or bad, would be the school’s responsibility.”

Surprisingly, not only was my friend not shocked and appalled, she understood. This homeschooling gig can be hard, y’all. Especially when you get to high school and start thinking of all the things your teens may someday blame you for – regardless of whether any of it is actually your fault.

Sometimes you don’t even have to wait until someday to get the blame. We all need a scapegoat.

Homeschooling High School Pros and Cons You Need to Know

I’ve shared some thoughts about the plusses and minuses of homeschooling high school before. However, those thoughts were more my perspective as the mom, watching my babies grow up.

Now, I want to offer the nitty-gritty pros and cons of homeschooling high school as they relate to a teen’s academic and social experience. [Read more…]

How to Save Time and Money with CLEP and DSST Exams

By Kris Bales

Credit by exam allows homeschoolers to earn college credit in high school. Learn how to prepare with CLEP practice tests and DSST practice tests.

When researching online, Study.com frequently tops my search results. I love their concise, easy-to-understand articles, but I never realized that those search engine results were just the tip of the iceberg.

Study.com offers thousands of self-paced video courses to help students improve their grades and earn college credit online. It’s also ideal for adult learners like me who want to broaden their knowledge base.

One of the hidden gems on Study.com is their credit by exam test prep selection. They offer both CLEP study guides and DSST study guides included with site membership.

(They even have a complete homeschool program for grades 3-12!)

How to Save Time and Money with CLEP and DSST Exams

What Is Credit by Exam?

Credit by exam options were created to allow adult learners and military personnel to earn college credit based on life and work experience. A passing test score demonstrated college-level understanding and earned credit for that subject. Now, anyone can take a CLEP or DSST exam to earn college credit, including homeschooled students. [Read more…]

What You Need to Know About High School Electives

By Kris Bales

Use this list of elective ideas to help you discover fun learning opportunities for your homeschool student. From life skills to career exploration, high school electives help teens develop their unique skills and explore their passions.

I got my first taste of elective classes in 8th grade. All two elective classrooms were at the end of the hall across from one another. The girls turned left to home ec, and the boys turned right to woodshop.

Then, I went to high school. Freshman year, our elective choices were pretty limited, but after that, the elective world opened up to dozens of possibilities. I can’t overstate the excitement of getting to choose how to spend a few hours of my high school day.

What You Need to Know About High School Electives

As homeschooling families, it’s even more exciting. The possibilities we can offer our students for electives are astounding!

What Are High School Electives?

High school electives are the fun classes – the one kids choose (or, you know, elect) to take. Electives offer teens a chance to explore their interests, develop their passions, and customize their education. Even if you’re a more traditional, school-at-home family, high school electives let you dip your toes in interest-led learning. [Read more…]