Homeschooling as a Highschooler - Curricula and College Admissions

Question

I've been looking through pages and pages of past answers about homeschooling, but I'm still unclear about some things. The different types of curriculum boggle and confuse me, though this may be because I'm trying to learn about many of them at once.

I will be starting the tenth grade soon and am looking to find a curriculum to use. While it might be beneficial to put together my own, I wouldn't know where to start. Though all around it seems 'easier' to go with a program that's already put together, I'm concerned that I won't be able to relate and work with what's put in front of me. Some of them seem no different than school, while I like the idea of a lot more flexability. All in all, I'm trying to figure out which would be 'better' overall, and whether they are treated differently by schools and colleges. I've heard different opinions and don't know what to take to heart.

Ultimately I want to go to college--another concern. Many are confident that it's completely possible to get into college as a homeschooler, that the most important aspect is your score on the SATs. We've tried to immerse ourselves in what certain colleges accept in the way of homeschoolers, but there are so many of them and with three years of high school to go I don't yet know which college I want to attend.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated--thank you very much.

Answer 1

Ok first off you can email me if you want,  

i have homeschooled two,  both are adults now,  i can tell you how i did it,  

I did not use a cirriculum,,  i was much more free form with it,  but now that said,  IF you have the * dual enrollement*  into the colleges in your area,  that will make things much easier for you    My daugheter took her college alg class at 13  and got her first college credit then,  

and she got her AA  before 18   she is now in the USMC, ( her choice)  and loving it,   so therea re ways, many ways to do things,   if you want to do the whole curriculum thing, then it is fine, there are umbrella schools that will take care of it al for you ,  but yes, you need to go to the local 4 yr college and chat them up

I live near Univeristy of Florida, i went down and found out what they needed, and i went from there,   mine never took the SAT   or the ACT  

hope this helps,   ;)  

Answer 2

I'd recommend finding a support group and really talk with people about the resources they use. Yahoo Answers is not set up for conversation. Even if there isn't a homeschool support group specifically in your city, check for something state-based. Yahoo Groups has LOTS of groups and online webpages may be able to direct you to others.

As for your actual questions, it sounds like you are looking for "the right" or "the best" curriculum. Thing is, it doesn't exist. One might be more suited to you than another (or several may be just as equally acceptable), but there is no single right curriculum. That's why there are so many of them. I'd suggest sitting down and working out what your educational and personal goals are, and what you think your ideal program would provide you. Also have a look at the money available for purchasing things. Then go have a look at some of the options again. And know that in the end, it really doesn't make that much of a difference which one you pick. Not at your age.

You're right, many aren't different than school, but that's because they're not supposed to be. High school studies through homeschooling are typically the same thing as in school--it's just that you do it on your terms and you can modify, adjust, add to it as needed or desired.

Are you planning on going back to high school? Your wondering about how different homeschool curricula are treated by "schools" has me wondering. If so, know that each school makes their own decision. Many won't even look at what you've done--if it wasn't the public school program through independent learning or an online public school, they will not look at it. Colleges couldn't care one way or another. Truly. They don't go around seeing that student A graduated from Whatever High School in some city, look it up in a chart and go, "Hm, that's a good school. He's in!" It does not matter.

In the US, the bulk of colleges have no problem with homeschoolers (and I'd venture to say that all state universities accept homeschoolers no problem) and none require any specific high school diploma. If you follow something that is typical of a high school education that leads to whatever you want to study, you'll have the education you need and that's what counts. When you're closer to applying for college, then you can start focusing on asking the admissions' officers what they require from you.

Answer 3

Most of it has already been said.  However, I'd like to mention that you should probably take (grades 9-12) four Englishes to include grammar and composition and literature (general, world, American, and British); at least three maths (algebra I, algebra II, and geometry, or higher if you're suited to it); at least three social studies (civics/economics, world history or geography, and American history); and at least three sciences (choose from physical, biology, chemistry, physics, or some upper-level topic), and probably two years of a foreign language.  Round it out with some electives of your choice (that's why they're called electives! ;P).  Figure out some "extracurriculars" to do; colleges like community service stuff.