Interested in homeschooling, but you don’t know where to start? Need more ideas for innovative educational experiences for your kids? You’re in the right place. There are many networks, communities, co-ops, and resources available to promote the benefits of homeschooling and support homeschooling families. Below is a list of the ones we at CHESS have found helpful through the years.
N.B. HSHS – refers to “homeschooling high schoolers”
Homeschooling Advocators
HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association)
Since 1983, this organization has been a national advocate of the legal right to homeschool. HSLDA produces handouts such as “You Can Homescool! Through High School”, and “A Guide for Homeschooling Through High School”.
CHESS is now a discount group member with HSLDA and to your benefit you can join HSLDA through CHESS!
Here is how HSLDA helps both CHESS and you:
- “Protects your right to homeschool and defends your family. A lawyer is on call 24/7.
- Provides fast help by phone or email, especially advice on homeschooling through high school, and on homeschooling a child with learning struggles or special needs.
- “Preserves homeschool freedom for all families by promoting homeschooling nationwide, as well as by working with state homeschooling groups to pass homeschool-friendly legislation and stop unfavorable bills at the state and federal levels.”
- Discounts, webinars, and more benefits are described on their website.
- You save $20 per year on dues, thanks to our new group discount.
There are only two steps required to join!
- Contact Kathy Kuhl for the group name and group number so you can save!
- Print, fill out, and mail this application.
HEAV (Home Educators Association of Virginia)
Home Educators Association of Virginia is the oldest and largest member-supported, statewide, non-profit homeschool association. Since 1983 we have successfully worked to promote and protect home education in Virginia through information, legislation, and resources.
Homeschooling Tips
Many people find the thought of homeschooling through high school intimidating, but there are many resources available.
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Planning
Start looking into homeschooling through high school a year or two ahead of time.
First, consider your student and his or her goals. If you and the student aren’t sure about college, it is wise to plan a program that won’t make college admission harder—for example, don’t neglect math or foreign language. You can always change your plans as your student’s goals change. If college is a possibility, there are practical steps you can take early.
The Home School Legal Defense Association has a great high school section. They offer a newsletter, excellent brochures, such as Developing a Plan for High School, and articles to help you consider your options: whether your student should aim toward a general high school diploma, a college prep program, or a rigorous college prep program.
Second, visit the websites of several colleges and universities, and look under their admission pages for their particular requirements for homeschoolers. Generally, they want some independent evidence of the student’s ability, not just grades and reports from the parents. Some universities require homeschooled students to take extra standardized tests, such as the SAT subject exams, in addition to their usual requirements. Keep checking back on college websites, because some colleges change their requirements as they become more aware of homeschooling. It is especially important for homeschooled students to have recommendations from teacher who are not their parents. Taking classes at CHESS allows you to meet teachers who might be willing to write such recommendations.
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Recordkeeping and Transcripts
As soon as your child starts taking high school level courses (even if they take French I, Spanish I, or Algebra I in eighth grade or sooner), you need to start gathering the material that will become your student’s transcript. Record which books and curriculum you use and a brief course description. Create a safe place to store grades and course descriptions. Don’t wait until eleventh grade to start!
JANICE Campbell’s book, Transcripts Made Easy, helps you plan and document your student’s high school career. It and other resources are available from her website.
Home Educators Association of Virginia offers a transcript service, available for anyone from any state.
HSLDA has a brochure on recordkeeping you can download.
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Diplomas
Diplomas indicate a student has completed a course of study. HSLDA.org discusses diplomas in their high school web pages. Many families issue diplomas themselves. Some use umbrella schools or distance accreditation programs, which issue diplomas. Some students take the GED to meet requirements of an employer or post-college educational institution, while others feel the GED carries a stigma, being associated with high school dropouts.
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Special Needs/Struggling Learners
HSLDA’s special education consultant Faith Berens discusses modifying diploma requirements for students with special needs here.
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Special Subjects
What makes you afraid to homeschool through high school? Driver’s education? Lab science? Foreign language? CHESS offers many lab science classes, as well as French and Spanish.
HEAV, Home Educators Association of Virginia can help you with drivers’ ed law and resources for Virginians.
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Starting College before Finishing High School
Some CHESS students take classes at Northern Virginia Community College. Students can earn high school credits and college credits at the same time. Being enrolled in college while in high school is called dual enrollment. Check with your college to see what their requirements are. Remember, college classes generally move twice as fast as high school.
Students may also earn college credit by taking CLEP exams. AP exams can earn students college credit, or at least allow them to be exempted from certain required college classes.
Janice Campbell has information on this at www.everyday-education.com and in her book, Get a Jumpstart on College, as does Lee Binz at www.thehomescholar.com.
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Other Resourcesl
CHESS parents have lots of experience and can be a great resource. Most CHESS teachers are veteran homeschool parents who are happy to discuss “how they did it.”
The Homeschool2college yahoo list answers questions on homeschooling through high school. Visit groups.yahoo.com/group/homeschool2college and click on the “Join This Group!” button at the bottom right.
