Visitor from K-8 board...planning ahead

[stephanie]

I have a ds13 who is in 7th now. I'm just thinking ahead to the high school years and trying to research materials. I was just wondering if the requirements for each subject in grades 9-12 differ according to school districts and college requirements? For example, what is the normal agenda for history, Sciences, and English in the high school levels? Can anyone give me an idea as to what the norm may be? I'm sure these may be silly questions, but I'm a bit confused since I'm not there yet! Thanks!

Btw, does any of this make any sense?

[FloridaLisa]

Hi Stephanie,

Do you mean a typical high school sequence and graduation requirements?

Lisa

[stephanie]

Hi Stephanie,

Do you mean a typical high school sequence and graduation requirements?

Lisa



Yes! Thank you! That's the wording I was looking for!

[FloridaLisa]

Okay! I started typing an answer and then thought I'd better clarify so I wasn't completely off base!

If Texas does not have requirements for home education graduation, then you will want to look at what colleges are requiring and suggesting. Go to the admissions pages of a few possible college choices, note their requirements and then work backward.

For example, many colleges want:

4 maths
4 sciences
4 social sciences
4 English credits
2 - 4 foreign language credits (in one language)
electives in arts/performing arts, physical education, etc.

You can tweak the high school class choices depending on your student's bent and possible career choice. And then, you want to make sure that you have fulfilled requisites for the SAT (and PSAT taken in the 11th grade) as well as any dual enrollment, CLEP or AP classes that your child may want in high school.

Okay, that looks forboding but it's really not! Start with where your child is now. Then consider what you envision in the high school years: Literature driven; standard/traditional; heavy sciences and math; particular electives? Begin to sketch out a loose 8th - 12th grade plan in pencil. Keep the plans in pencil. :001_smile: Make sure the math level matches the science. Pencil in possible resources or begin keeping a list.

And then, in the next year, begin to familiarize yourself with high school tests: PSAT/SAT I/SAT II/ACT/CLEP/AP These all will or may play a role in your high school schedule. I especially wish that I had carved out SAT study time in 10th grade for my ds.

Anyway, that should get you started! Hope it helps --
Lisa

[stephanie]

Okay! I started typing an answer and then thought I'd better clarify so I wasn't completely off base!

If Texas does not have requirements for home education graduation, then you will want to look at what colleges are requiring and suggesting. Go to the admissions pages of a few possible college choices, note their requirements and then work backward.

For example, many colleges want:

4 maths
4 sciences
4 social sciences
4 English credits
2 - 4 foreign language credits (in one language)
electives in arts/performing arts, physical education, etc.

You can tweak the high school class choices depending on your student's bent and possible career choice. And then, you want to make sure that you have fulfilled requisites for the SAT (and PSAT taken in the 11th grade) as well as any dual enrollment, CLEP or AP classes that your child may want in high school.

Okay, that looks forboding but it's really not! Start with where your child is now. Then consider what you envision in the high school years: Literature driven; standard/traditional; heavy sciences and math; particular electives? Begin to sketch out a loose 8th - 12th grade plan in pencil. Keep the plans in pencil. :001_smile: Make sure the math level matches the science. Pencil in possible resources or begin keeping a list.

And then, in the next year, begin to familiarize yourself with high school tests: PSAT/SAT I/SAT II/ACT/CLEP/AP These all will or may play a role in your high school schedule. I especially wish that I had carved out SAT study time in 10th grade for my ds.

Anyway, that should get you started! Hope it helps --
Lisa



Ok. What do you mean math matching science? This really helps out a lot. I'm going to print this out. I'm going to check requirements for Tx and some possible choices for colleges.

[Starr]

I agree with Lisa. Work back from possible colleges. In NY you can "drop out" of high school at 16 so you don't have to send any more paper work to the school district. Because of this the State regulations matter less than the college requirements. I find many colleges want more than our State regulations require.

[Kim in SouthGa]

Hi Steph,
I think what she means by math matching science is that higher level sciences often require higher level maths, and some sciences require that you have had a certain math first. I know Apologia suggests taking Algebra I with Biology. You can check their website (highschoolscience.com) and it shows the maths required, I believe.

[FloridaLisa]

Ok. What do you mean math matching science? This really helps out a lot. I'm going to print this out. I'm going to check requirements for Tx and some possible choices for colleges.

Yes, I meant making sure that your child has attained the level of math necessary for a particular science. Not so much an issue with biology, but becomes an issue with chemistry and physics.

HTH,
Lisa

[outtamyshell]

One of the best websites I have found for planning highschool graduation requirements is the one posted online for the Round Rock School District in Texas. It looks like Texas has several HS Diploma options and their honors diploma requirements look excellent. I was surprised to see 5 years of math, etc. I don't think we are getting 5 years of any one subject.

I know colleges are going to compare my daughters transcripts to the ones she sees from public school. Looking at these requirements was a great reminder to me that there are lots of kids out there getting a great education.