While responding to a letter about discerning homeschool high it occurred to me other people might also be having similar thoughts this time of year. Many of us look at our kids' education in two chunks, elementary school and high school. As the one comes to a close there are usually some very big discussions about how to handle the latter. Even seasoned home educators can be apprehensive about the prospect, understandably. If your child is planning to attend college (and you really want to keep that as an option til the very end of their education so no doors are closed prematurely) there are required courses to complete and records to be kept. Likewise, transferring to an on-site high school has all sorts of new demands.
There is a lot to think about and steps to take, either way. Just off the top of my head this is what I said in reply:
Raising teens is intimidating, period. There are so many variables with high school – the child's temperament, your temperament, your current working relationship. Those are the first things to consider. Homeschooling works best in collaboration so if there is any resistance or conflict it can almost be counterproductive in some cases. My best advice is to do what best preserves family peace, what best keeps their hearts. For many, that is homeschooling. Sometimes though, parents can assume a cheerleader/mentor role better when the child is away at school. Each child/parent/teacher relationship is unique. Whatever is most conducive to team building as a family is best.
If you choose to use the public school you'll have much more supervising and damage control to do morally and theologically, but far less to do by way of preparation and paperwork and legwork. If you choose to homeschool you will have far more to do to ensure the student stays on track and meets the appropriate educational goals and deadlines. Contrary to what some home-ed folks assert it has NOT been our experience that a student can fall way behind in math and suddenly cover 4 yrs of upper level math effectively and thoroughly inside a year, even if properly motivated. They may figure out enough to meet college entry guidelines but will not like become engineers. Some things cannot be easily caught up or done fast so it's important to stay on top of it as you go.
If you homeschool it is a good idea to look around several colleges and high schools and see what is suggested for college bound students. Plan your courses accordingly and keep a blank working transcript handy to pencil in courses and extras as they happen. Then its easy to tweak and fill in senior year. It is NOT fun to sit at the table late in the night before application deadlines trying to remember what year they did American govt. or how many years of piano were done etc.
The more traditional your coursework, the easier transcripts will be. The more traditional your coursework is, the more challenging it can be to finish it with enthusiasm too. If you are un-schooly or non-traditional you will need to get up to speed on how to articulate your student's learning in typical 'edu-ese' language. It can be done, just requires more mental gymnastics on your part. Ideally, you'll have a mix of both approaches – enough traditional coursework to provide a thorough foundation and to familiarize the student with real world deadlines coupled with enough authentic learning experiences and hands-on activities to keep the fires burning without exhausting mom.
In many states you have a third option which is to partner with your local schools for some courses or extracurriculars. Many community colleges also offer quick start or dual enrollment options. Some communities have such large numbers of homeschoolers they are able to support co-op programs so be sure you research all your local resources.
When you finish out these years you will have moved from acting director to an advisory position in the big production of their lives. Your goal is to hand off the baton by the end of this period while still being a respected and trusted voice they turn to as they move into the bigger world. Every family has to discern how best to make that transition and it won't be the same for everyone. Either path chosen will have perks and drawbacks, some significant. That's a given. It's going to be hard work either way. You are absolutely right though, the best is yet to come! These years are the culmination of all those that came before and it is amazing to watch this transformation.
We have 'done' high school several different ways now. We have assembled our own courses and written transcripts. We have used the community college. We have enrolled in correspondence programs. We have had students play sports through public schools. It's likely we will mix it up yet again because some options are better fits for some students and different areas we've lived have had different opportunites. We will have this same discussion approximately every other year until Abbie Rose reaches the end of her elementary years.
It's sad to me that a search of 'homeschool high school' today pulls up page after page of ads for various schools and businesses. This decision, like all parenting decisions, seems better made around a kitchen table with trusted friends and family rather than by thumbing through flashy fliers.
Some encouraging virtual visits:
Homeschooling for High School
Q and A with Laura Berquist
College Prep
Homeschooling High School
Starry Sky Journal 
Thank you, Kim, for your insight. Our sons all went to the same all-boys Catholic high school that their father did. We have no all-girls’ choice and now we have some tough decisions to make as Faith finishes 7th grade. Frankly, I prefer kindergarten. 😉
Kim, this is a great piece, thank you. I didn’t have time to leave a comment yesterday, but really wanted to come back to say a heartfelt thank you for the comment on High School maths! It is so important and so true that it really is not possible to “catch up” lost years all in one swoop. It just isn’t. I’ve been homeschooling since 1994 and the maths thing is one of the biggest …. Falsehoods to come out of the unschooling ’90’s. In general I am very much a live and let live philosopher in terms of how others homeschool their kids: we each of us have to find our own paths for our own particular kids. But I’d really love to see the lie about the maths — “oh it’s fine if maths is casual, they can pick it up with they’re sixteen” — go away! 🙂
Insight and wisdom, Thankyou Kim! Mine are still a few years off high school. Honest and sane perspective on a occasionally daunting topic, I really appreciate it.