Getting Started: Homeschooling with MiaPrep
High school is an important time for many young teens as they begin to discover themselves and become young adults. If you had a traditional high school experience, you may be wondering how homeschool works for high school students. Homeschoolers graduate, go to prom, play sports and make friends just like their public school peers do. In addition, homeschoolers have the opportunity for so many new experiences outside of school, too!
Homeschooling is a very personal decision, and it looks different in each family. There are many reasons why you may want to homeschool your highschooler. Many parents decide to do so to boost their child’s academic performance, create a safer learning environment, or create a schedule that works for the whole family instead of revolving around the school bell.
Homeschooling gives students and their families the freedom to create the best educational experience possible, without the restraint of school rules and schedules. However, it can be overwhelming when you first start! If you’re considering homeschooling your high schooler, here are some answers to common questions.
How do I homeschool in my state?
Home education is not federally regulated and is instead governed by individual states. Before you do anything else, be sure to study your state’s homeschool laws so you know what to expect. Homeschool laws typically govern things such as:
- Educator qualifications
- Notice of Intent requirements
- How many hours you must teach
- What subjects you must teach
- How often students must be tested
- Record keeping
- Annual reports or portfolio evaluations
- Graduation requirements
Thankfully, we have everything you need to know about your state’s requirements in our helpful Homeschooling by State Map! In addition, our online homeschool for high school students covers many states’ curriculum requirements, with little need for supplementation.
How do I choose my student’s courses?
MiaPrep’s flexible homeschool curriculum for high school gives you access to all 7th-12th grade courses to meet your student wherever they are academically. When choosing high school courses, it can be helpful to start with your child’s current grade and then adjust courses as needed.
We also offer a course scheduling guide with all the courses in each grade level. This can be particularly helpful for your student to avoid retaking classes unintentionally and can help them graduate on time, should they return to public school.
What about graduation?
In high school, planning ahead is your friend! Even if you’re not sure about homeschooling through graduation, it’s best to have an action plan if you choose to do so later.
In many states, the parent determines their student’s graduation requirements and provides a high school diploma. It can be difficult to know when your student is ready to graduate, which is why many parents look to their state’s public high school Content Standards as a guide. You can find these listed on individual high schools’ websites or on your state’s Department of Education page.
We currently offer two options for high school, MiaPrep and MiaPrep Online High School (MOHS). MiaPrep is our accredited asynchronous curriculum, while MOHS is our accredited online school. Because MiaPrep is a curriculum and not a school, MOHS is our only diploma-granting program at this time.
For example, here are the graduation requirements for MOHS:
| Course Category | Required Credits | Notes |
| English | 4 | English 1 and 2 |
| Math | 3 | Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2. Four credits are recommended for many colleges. |
| Science | 3 | Must complete at 3+: Integrated Physics and Chemistry, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics |
| Social Studies | 4 | World History, US History, and either Civics or Economics |
| World Language | 2 | Both credits must be for the same language |
| PE/Health | 1 | Required credit must be 0.5 PE credit and 0.5 Health credit |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 1 | Students must complete at least two of the following: Theatre Arts 1, Theatre Arts 2, and Elements of Art 1 |
| Electives | 6 | Students may take additional or advanced courses offered in any of the above categories to satisfy elective requirements. Students must complete Financial Literacy. Note that many elective courses are 0.5 credits. |
| Total credits | 24 |
Whether your student prefers to receive a homeschool diploma or study for the HiSET or GED, a four-year plan can help your student reach their goal.
Do homeschooled students go to college?
Many homeschooled high school graduates can, and often do, go to college. College admissions for homeschoolers are the same as for any other student, requiring a high school transcript and test scores to apply. There are even special scholarships for homeschooled students to make attending college more accessible.
Dual enrollment is another popular option for homeschooled students to get started on their college education. Many community colleges offer a dual credit program for students in their last two years of high school. With MOHS, you can explore more dual enrollment options through MOHS’s partnership with Arizona State University.
How do I homeschool a high schooler?
Teens have a much larger capacity for independence than younger children do. When homeschooling a teenager, involve them in decisions that affect them directly, such as which classes they take, when they study, and how and where they do both.
Let your teen manage themself.
If your student enjoys routine, let them create their own. They probably won’t begin school at 8:00 a.m., but if you let them work when they’re most awake and focused, their progress will likely reflect that.
A study area is an important environmental tool that can help improve focus and organization. Your student may prefer one designated area or several areas that they rotate to throughout the day. For online high school, you’ll need somewhere with a good internet connection and an internet-enabled device, such as a laptop or tablet. A pair of colorful or comfortable headphones never hurt anyone!
Focus on building good study habits.
Now that you’ve got your plan in place, it’s time to start learning! Many students can benefit from practicing independent learning and creating good study habits. Learning how to study early can help your student greatly as they move on to more advanced subjects and even into college! Here are a few tips to help your student build good study habits:
- Set a study time each day, and stick to it.
- Take short, meaningful notes.
- Avoid studying in bed.
- Take frequent breaks, or use the Pomodoro Method.
- Use tech, such as timers and window blockers, to help you stay on task.
- Explain the material in your own words.
- Make diagrams, flash cards, and formula sheets.
- Have a snack when you need to.
- Reward yourself for a job well done!
Mastering independent learning can not only improve their performance but also build their learning confidence and encourage them to tackle advanced subjects fearlessly.
What about electives?
Homeschool electives in high school are just as key as core classes for a well-rounded education. One of the great things about homeschooling is that an elective can be anything you want! While MiaPrep offers a robust selection of homeschool electives for high schoolers, from fine arts and foreign languages to coding or Bible study, there are so many different learning opportunities for your student. External electives can also be a great way for your student to make friends, improve their communication and leadership skills, and gain experience in a field they’re interested in.
Some homeschool high school electives could be:
- Volunteering for the community
- Working a part time job
- Playing sports
- Learning how to play an instrument
- Participating in local clubs or teen groups
Homeschooling in High School with MiaPrep
MiaPrep makes homeschooling a high schooler a breeze! With our accredited high school homeschool curriculum, students can enjoy:
- High-quality, engaging lesson videos
- Interactive games, quizzes, and extension activities
- Read-aloud accessibility features
- Self-paced, asynchronous learning
- Access to all lessons, so students can work on-level
- Games and chatting with peers with our safe, moderated Community
- A virtual Shop where they can create and sell designs
- Our Miacademy Weekly newspaper, which they can write for
For parents, some big perks of MiaPrep’s homeschool high school curriculum include:
- A high-quality, accredited, and accessible curriculum for their student
- The ability for students to work independently
- Automatically graded assignments
- Powerful reporting tools for attendance, grades, study time, and more
- Easy, intuitive course scheduling
- Automatic digital record keeping
- The ability to reward students with in-game currency
- Little need for supplemental lesson plans
- Annual, lifetime, and family discounts on memberships
- Outstanding customer service for ANYTHING — we’re here to help!
If you’d like to learn more about how MiaPrep can help your homeschool family, please feel free to reach out to one of our friendly customer service representatives! They’ll be happy to help you with any questions you may have.
Published 3/1/2024