I’m on the edge of deciding to home school my kids (both will be in high school). What programs (online or otherwise) do y’all recommend? Is testing required ? How does college admission work?

I’m still studying on all this so I’m really looking to be pointed to what has worked for others

I’m in Texas, and both kids make A’s and are in advanced and GT (I say this only cuz schools teach to the lowest denominator and there is so much waste of time) I believe these advance classes are really not even on par with the education I received 30yrs ago in basic school. Also I’m tired of all the wokeness.

I know it’s something I can do because I already teach them home maintenance, car maintenance, investing and taxes in the summer so they aren’t stuck to electronics full time. Anyway rant over..

Bart,

If you haven't looked at it, HSLDA (https://hslda.org/) is a good start in gathering information for the legal aspects of homeschooling. I grew up with both the Sonlight Curriculum, more book based, and the Switched-On-Schoolhouse program from Alpha Omega Schools, which is a computer based program, (https://www.aopschools.com/schoolhouse). The "Playing the Game of School", on WPSN, also has good points if you haven't watched it.

I would look at Ron Paul's home schooling curriculum. He's an amazing warrior for liberty in this world.

First you and your kids have to answer the harder question of what is their trajectory? Does college make sense for them? If so which college? You'll have to find out how those specific colleges handle homeschoolers. Some are easier some are harder. Some will accept you with your transcript. Others will require a GED or quibble over some courses (may not accept your language "lab" or science). You'll also need to know what kind of base knowledge is expected and that will depend on trajectory. Having weaker chemistry knowledge may not be important if they are pursuing coding on the other hand it may be a weeding course that's required.

3 things stick out to me about higher level homeschooling. Specialized preparation, dual enrollment, and online schools.

The benefit of higher level homeschooling is that you can focus in on area and go very deep. If they are looking at math, the sky is the limit, if they have the discipline to learn it. Math is the rare utterly open source subject. But if they haven't learned how to teach themselves they may not get that benefit.

The second point dovetails with the first. You may be able to do dual enrollment at a technical college or community college and take higher level courses that will transfer in to college. You can also begin to study in the field you intend to pursue with a higher level educated teacher. Downside is that it's expensive and inconvenient for the parents.

Now there is another option, especially post covid, there a plethora of online schooling options. Some public school, some private, some free (state funded really), some expensive. The quality likewise varies and I can't tell you which are good and which aren't. This lets your kids study at home while still being "public schooled" which should make applying to college easier.

The most important question is whether or not homeschooling them would give them a tangible advantage at this stage. If they go to college they will be more than likely surrounded with wokeness on an industrial scale. Building up an immunity while they are highschoolers may be a net good. While you can still talk with them and help them see the kernels of truth, the insidious definitions, the logical extensions. Odds are you won't get to do that while they're at college. And hard fact is you don't get to guide them much longer. They are going to hit this crap, they have to be able to deal with it.

In short: Be very sure the benefits outweigh the detriments in your specific case. Homeschooling really shines earlier rather than later, there are benefits to be sure but higher level homeschooling is a different beast. Especially if college is on the horizon.

I am a recent homeschool grad of 2022. I would say there is no better route to go. You’ll never regret as you will be the one shaping your child’s worldview, not another individual. As Tim said below, definitely join Homeschool Legal Defense Association. It was founded by Michael Farris who also founded Patrick Henry College and Alliance Defending Freedom. My worldview and faith is stronger and more equipped than many others I have met who were not homeschooled by God fearing parents like mine. Please check out Kevin Swanson’s Generations curriculum, especially if you are a Christian. Do not compromise by settling for “homeschooling” run by the public school system as you will then be letting your kids be indoctrinated in your own home. And also, choose a curriculum that has an objective standard of truth. My parents have always said that you do not build a boat while at sea.

All very good comments, thank you. I’ve always taught my kids outside of school so there are pieces of this that are easier for me. These resources above are just what I was wanting to research!

Speaking as a Dr. that was homescooled throughhigh-school, homeschooling is a definite advantage on moral structure, education quality and ability to teach yourself. At the beginning of high-school my father gave me a huge head start when he demanded I choose a specific job I would work towards. This set the stage for working in that field and setting goal which I attained. The classmates I had in college had not done this. For 95% college it was a complete waste of time and money. Around 70% were far worse off for college as it induced a lazy non reality view of the world with false expectations for their futures. Dave Ramsey has a great financial course for high-school. Check out the trades ( plumbing, electrical, carpet laying, mechanic king, etc) as well as college jobs.