Homeschooling high schoolers for the first time causes more than a little worry for most families, whether they’ve homeschooled from the start or are just getting started after taking a teen out of public school. Parents and students alike are concerned about credits, diplomas, transcripts, colleges, and how homeschooling will impact it all.

The good news is that homeschooling high schoolers is often much easier than people think it is. In this post, I’ll share five tips and tricks for homeschooling high schoolers.

Tip #1 Don’t plan to go to public high school

Regardless of why you’re homeschooling a high schooler- if you removed a child from public high school or your child has now reached ninth grade and has been homeschooled for a while, you need to be aware that high school level courses taken as a homeschooler are often not accepted for credit by public schools. I strongly advise families that once they begin homeschooling a high schooler, they need to plan to finish out their child’s education as a homeschooler. In Texas, where I homeschool, high school students returning to public school have to make up credit by examination, take online classes to earn credits, or attend summer school to earn high school credits. This results in the student working twice as hard to get through high school, which is very discouraging.

Be sure that you know your state laws that apply to high school credit requirements and graduation. In some states you can determine the credit requirements and graduate your student from high school yourself, but in other states you need to utilize an umbrella school or some other entity.

Tip #2 Utilize Co-ops, Enrichment Academies, Online Resources, and Community Colleges for challenging subjects

One of the concerns parents have when homeschooling high schoolers is teaching challenging subjects such as chemistry, trigonometry, foreign languages, and the like. Fortunately, parents don’t have to be proficient in every subject for their children to learn it. Homeschool co-ops are full of parents whose delight is in teaching subjects that other parents dread. Co-ops are the most affordable option in which families band together to teach each other’s children.

Enrichment academies are another option for ensuring that high school students are able to tackle those difficult topics without you having to teach them yourself. While parents are expected to assist in teaching at co-ops, that is not the case with enrichment academies. You select the class or classes your student needs, pay the fees, and get your child to the classes.

Online courses, classes, and academies are another way that your child can fulfill their high school credit requirements. Some options, such as Khan Academy are free (though donations are gratefully accepted), online homeschool academies are plentiful and available at various price points; Liberty University, Power Homeschool, and The Well-Trained Mind Academy are just a few that I turned up in a recent search online. You also have the option of using a resource such as Outschool.

A fourth option for high school courses is one of my favorites- dual enrollment at the local community college! In this option, your child takes core courses and/or elective courses earning high school credit and college credit at the same time. In my area, students can take a certain number of courses at no charge with the only cost being their textbooks. My youngest daughter earned eight high school credits and twenty-four college credits during her junior and senior years of high school through dual enrollment.

Tip #3 Allow Time for Discovery

There’s a temptation to load up a high school student’s schedule with tons of activities that “will look good on a transcript.” While it is true that colleges are looking for certain things on a student’s transcript, it’s important to allow your child to have time to discover their interests and pursue them, rather than force them to participate in activities only to fill their transcript. What colleges are looking for, in addition to certain academics, is what makes your child unique and what their uniqueness can bring to the college.

If you’re homeschooling a child who was previously in public school, you may feel that you have to jump in right away with school because they’re in high school. However, it’s often helpful to allow your child a break from academics for several weeks or longer (often called de-schooling) to let them explore their interests and recover from the stress that they may have experienced in public school. Once they’ve had this break, they’ll be ready for the more independent life of a homeschool student. Learning at home creates students who are more responsible and self-directed in many instances.

Tip #4 Allow Your Student to Set the Pace

A typical public high school career is usually four years. The beauty of homeschooling is that students can set a pace that’s more suitable to their needs. Two of my students took five years to complete their high school studies. A good friend’s children often graduate at the age of sixteen. Allowing your child to complete high school on their own timetable keeps them engaged in their schoolwork. Nothing destroys the love of learning faster than being rushed through material or being forced to slow the pace when one is ready to move on.

Tip #5 Relax

This is easier said than done, but the truth is that giving in to stress doesn’t guarantee your child a quality education. We have more resources than ever before for teaching high school subjects. Veteran homeschoolers are very helpful to new homeschoolers and will extend a helping hand to point you to the resources you and your student need, so you don’t need to let anxiety rule over you. Just be sure to get plugged in to your local homeschool community, both in person and online.

Additionally, thousands of home educated students have graduated from high school and entered college or the workforce successfully. Many colleges have advisors who work specifically with homeschooled students and some colleges even recruit homeschoolers. Your child is more capable than you probably realize and will be a driving force in his or her own education. It’s not all on you, thankfully.

Homeschooling high schoolers is easier than you think and more rewarding than you can imagine.

Good luck and Happy Homeschooling!