This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: How to Start the Homeschool High School Year.

Starting a new homeschool high school year can be both exciting and overwhelming. Whether you’re a seasoned homeschool mom or just beginning this journey, having a solid plan in place is crucial. Let’s explore effective strategies for how to start the homeschool high school year by selecting the right curriculum, managing schedules, and fostering a positive learning environment for your high schooler.

The very first thing we want to do is make sure we get our planning under control. What are the long term goals that you have? It’s essential to establish both long-term and short-term goals because that helps you with the planning. 

Discuss with your teen what they hope to achieve by the end of high school and break these down into yearly objectives. This will guide your planning and ensure that your teen’s educational journey aligns with their aspirations.

What should those goals be? It depends on what the career interests or the subjects they need to take to be ready for college.

If your teen is preparing for college, consider how much exposure they need to specific subjects. Take the time to sit down and discuss the courses they should focus on this year. Then, decide together how long the academic year should be.

And you both should be on the same page – or as close to that as possible!

Let’s dive into choosing the ideal curriculum for our teens, recognizing that preferences can vary significantly by individual and subject. For instance, some teens prefer the straightforward structure of a textbook, particularly for subjects like math where progressing page by page offers a clear path.

However, when it comes to electives or subjects conducive to hands-on learning, such as history, many teens thrive on experiential learning opportunities. This could include engaging with interactive projects, videos, or logging hours spent on practical activities to earn credit – methods that emphasize learning by doing.

For those who favor flexibility, asynchronous online courses present a valuable option. Platforms like 7Sisters offer a variety of courses ranging from Human Development to Shakespeare, allowing students to learn at their own pace. 

This is particularly beneficial for those who might find their most productive study times outside the conventional school hours, whether early in the morning or late at night, without the distractions of siblings or other commitments.

On another note, live online courses are gaining popularity among teens who enjoy the structure and community aspect of traditional classroom settings, albeit virtually. Numerous online academies cater to this preference, offering a diverse range of subjects that can complement any homeschool curriculum.

The landscape of homeschooling has evolved dramatically since its early days. Where once resources were scarce, and obtaining curriculum was a challenge, today’s families have access to an abundance of options. From local co-ops and group classes to online academies and beyond, the variety is vast and varied.

Reflecting on our experiences, the 7Sisters Homeschool curriculum comes highly recommended. Our approach has always been to adapt our curriculum based on direct feedback from teens, focusing on engagement, minimizing busywork, and maximizing enjoyment. 

Our aim is to inspire and fulfill the academic needs of our students in a way that feels most aligned with their learning styles and preferences.

There are so many choices when choosing curriculum! Browse websites, review samples, and consult with peers to make informed decisions. The key is to engage in an open dialogue about what feels right for them, ensuring a tailored learning experience that meets their unique needs and aspirations. 

When it’s time to figure out the scheduling of your homeschool year, remember: There’s not ONE right way to schedule!

Flexibility is one of the greatest benefits of homeschooling. Decide together whether a year-round schedule or a more traditional school calendar works best for your family. Be sure to account for holidays, family events, and any potential disruptions to create a realistic and adaptable plan.

So some families homeschool year round. This may be a 52-week school year, but it also gives them space to take off a few weeks at at ime, such as for Christmas, or to take a family road trip while logging geography hours.

Or some families want to do a 32-week year or a 30-week year. What’s important is how it fits your family, so figure that aspect out together by looking at what’s on your family schedule for the year. 

It’s also wise to consider planning around significant events or occurrences that might disrupt the regular school schedule. Whether it’s a family trip, someone undergoing surgery, or any other event that requires a break from the routine, it’s beneficial to account for these in advance. 

This might mean scheduling some time off from lessons and adjusting the school calendar accordingly. For example, you could structure the academic year to run from September to early December, taking the entirety of December off, or extend it to the end of January with a break before resuming until spring break. 

Tailoring the homeschool schedule to fit your family’s unique needs is the most effective approach.

Once you’ve settled the initial steps, it’s time to consider the structure of your week throughout the semester. It’s crucial to recognize that learning preferences vary among teens.

Some may opt for a balanced daily schedule, incorporating a bit of English language arts, math, science, and so on each day. 

Others might prefer block scheduling, where they dedicate an entire semester or a focused two-month period to mastering math, immersing themselves in the subject intensively. This approach allows for concentrating on one or a few subjects at a time, rather than juggling all subjects simultaneously, by dividing their learning into more manageable segments. 

There’s no universally correct method; it’s about aligning with your personal learning style, understanding your needs and goals, and deciding the most effective strategy for you.

Let’s talk about the concept of scheduling backwards, a strategic tool that’s incredibly beneficial for high school teens managing their myriad of projects and papers. The idea is to prevent the all-too-common last-minute cramming by organizing tasks well in advance. 

I’ll share a personal story to illustrate this point, one that many of you might find familiar. My daughter, during her college years, shared a valuable insight with me. She never had to cram for exams. 

Curious, I asked her to elaborate. Her strategy was simple yet effective: she would review her notes daily, immediately after her classes. This consistent, bit-by-bit study method meant that by the time exams rolled around, she was already well-prepared, avoiding the stress of last-minute studying.

This approach is a prime example of effective time management – planning ahead and dedicating a little time each day to stay on top of your studies. 

Engaging in regular discussions about these strategies with teens can be incredibly helpful. It’s a good practice to have regular one-on-one check-ins, perhaps weekly or bi-weekly, to discuss what’s working and what isn’t. 

Life is unpredictable, and sometimes, a planned curriculum or schedule might need to be adjusted. That’s perfectly okay. Adapting to change is a crucial life skill, embodying flexibility and resilience.

This adaptability is at the heart of what we call a growth mindset. When something doesn’t work out, rather than seeing it as a failure, view it as a learning opportunity. Together, we can navigate these challenges, learning and growing along the way. 

Let’s be open to changing course when necessary, fostering a mindset that embraces growth and learning as integral parts of the educational journey.

Sabrina always shares a valuable insight for engaging in long conversations with teens: do it over food. 

Whether preparing snacks at home or stepping out for coffee, discussions seem to flow more naturally with food on the table. (By the way, this approach works wonders with adults as well.)

When planning how to kick off the school year, consider what tone you want to set from day one. Do you prefer a gentle start, mixing a bit of academic work with relaxation? Or are you inclined to dive right in, tackling a full schedule of subjects to swiftly adapt to the routine? 

Another option could be to infuse the beginning with excitement, perhaps dedicating a week to field trips related to your year’s focus, like American history, and exploring how many related outings you can fit into that week.

There’s no single correct approach. It’s about aligning with your family’s dynamics, energy levels, and your teens’ current interests. Decide whether to begin the year on a tranquil note or with a burst of energy. 

What matters most is making these decisions together, ensuring a collaborative and effective start to the year.

Starting a homeschool high school year requires thoughtful planning and open communication. The key is to find what works best for your family and be willing to adapt as needed.

How do you plan your homeschool high school year? Share your tips and experiences in our 7SistersHomeschool Facebook group!

Thank you to Richie Soares with Homeschool and Humor for writing this blog post and to Seth Tillman for editing this podcast!

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