Homeschooled Through High School

I started my homeschool journey quite late, at 9th grade to be exact, but it was the best thing that my mom could’ve done for me. When I came into the homeschool world, I was so behind public school standards, but with some determination and my family’s belief in me to do the work, I set out to work toward a high school diploma. 

In one year, I completed 3 grades worth of work which is proof that your child does not need to master specific concepts by certain ages or grades. I was able to learn quickly and efficiently. I also did not read fluently until I was 14 years old, without realizing until much later that I have dyslexia and dyscalculia.

High School At Home

In 10th grade and through 12th grade, I did an online curriculum through the public board. (Although my family were church goers, this was my single mom’s first experience with homeschool back in the early 2000s). I needed to complete assignments by certain dates, read materials, and be organized. I also started working at 16, and I was allowed to keep my job as long as my marks stayed into the 80’s and I completed my daily homework. 

What none of us realized then was the absolutely positive impacts homeschooling would have on me. I learned to be independent and complete my homework within deadlines, to do research, and to be self-disciplined. I also learned how to be a young adult. Because I only needed 4 hours max per day to do my school work, I was able to work part time and at times even full time. I was able to learn how to be responsible and manage money and time. I learned how to work with people, even older people who were at the workplace and were willing to invest in me and show me how to work well. 

My family also provided opportunities for travel that no regular high schoolers could take. One year we spent a whole September in Spain. It was glorious, and it opened my eyes to the world around me. Being homeschooled this way allowed me to mature and yet keep my innocence. It also allowed me to learn how to think for myself and not to be persuaded by whatever drama was going on with my friends who attended local schools. 

On To University

I received a high school diploma through my online school. Following that, I enrolled into open studies at university because I did not have the exact requirements needed for a Bachelor of Arts program.I figured I could get those requirements straight from the university which is what I did.

When I got to university, my professors were often amazed at my grit and self-discipline, simply because compared to my peers I was able to keep up with the university courses and work load. If I had not been homeschooled previously, I am sure this would’ve been very hard. I learned the value of hard work, self-discipline, and how to think critically which is not something many kids learn in schools today or at all. 

I only completed 2 years of university though before I left university to get married, move, and start a family. After Silas was born, I did online university and worked toward a Bachelor of Arts, which was good. I was able to be a mom and also work on my education, and because of my previous homeschool experience, I was able to manage my time as a mom and a student. I still did not complete any education, yet the Lord grew my family and has given me a masters in the school of life. 

If you are able and willing, give your teens the gift of being homeschooled in high school. Let them learn independence, self-control, budgeting, and how to do taxes. Give them amazing experiences (even if it's just a staycation, whatever would be special to them), and most importantly continue to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

If you are in the throes of homeschooling young children (like me) and some with learning disabilities (like me), keep on doing a great job, mama. You know what’s best for those kids and don’t let any other standard than God’s guide you. Your children WILL learn to read (even if you need help by using some outside services, therapies, and fancy curricula), they will learn math (even if they don’t have their facts memorized), and they will learn about the world by living in it. You can do it, mama. God made you their teacher. Go and teach to the glory of God!

Your friend, 

April 

Written by April Barth

My name is April, saved by grace through faith in Christ alone. Wife and homeschooling mom to 4. Cree woman from Alberta, Canada. Lover of books and truth. Dayschool survivor. Cycle breaker by God's grace.