High School FAQs
Homeschooling a high school student can be so rewarding! Many parents worry that there is so much information to cover they can't possibly homeschool their children in all subjects. Are they qualified? Can they really homeschool high school? Other questions arise about gradution, transcripts and college entrance. Below are some frequently asked questions and resources for answers. If you have other questions that are not below, please let me know and I will add them!
- Bonnie
High School Questions
What are my options for dual enrollment? And just what is SYP and PSEO and all these other acronyms?
High school students can be dual enrolled at the public high school with at least 1/4 of all classes done at home (in Decorah, that means that at least 2 classes must be done at home). The classes provided by the high school can be at the school or provided other ways through SYP.
SYP: Senior Year Plus - an umbrella for a variety of programs designed to provide high school students access to courses that have the potential to generate college credit. These sites will explain the options you have for dual enrollment classes beyond the high school.
https://homeschooliowa.org/iowa-law/post-secondary-concurrent-enrollment/
https://educateiowa.gov/adult-career-and-community-college/senior-year-plus-syp
PSEO: Post Secondary Education Option is one type of SYP program along with AP (Advanced Placement), Concurrent Enrollment, and Career Academies
https://homeschooliowa.org/resources/homeschooling-high-school/
A great resource for homeschool highschool options that include college credit classes. Also, advice on how to make transcripts and diplomas.
What are the graduation requirements for the state of Iowa?
https://educateiowa.gov/graduation-requirements
This little blurb (Rule Interpretation from the Chapter 12 Matrix) explains the bare minimum that school districts must require for graduation. Any other requirements are specific to the district.
Do you have information specific to Decorah High School?
Yes! Below is a link to the DHS webpage. You will find helpful links under the title Forms and Information. The Planning Guide may be most helpful along with the 4-year Planning Sheet and the Mathematics Course Sequence. You can use these as rough guidelines for your own planning.
Can I teach driver's ed at home?
Yes! It's inexpensive and straightforward. This site has helpful information:
Can I make a high school transcript for my child?
Yes! Here are some resources that give tips on how parents can make transcripts of all the classes their children took (high school and at home):
https://www.homehighschoolhelp.com
Check out the Freebies tab!
Are there any parent support blogs to help me understand my homeschooled teen?
Kathy Magnusson: http://wildewoodlearning.com
Kathy Koch: https://celebratekids.com
College Prep/College Course Questions
Can I homeschool for college credit?
Yes! There are several ways to do this:
https://homeschooliowa.org/college-credits/
Explains different options for post-secondary coursework that is available to your home-educated high school student.
https://homeschoolingforcollegecredit.com
Super helpful resource explaining different options for getting college credit.
https://www.facebook.com/HomeschoolingforCollegeCredit/
Facebook page associated with the above website. Lots of great shared information.
The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a program that enables students to earn college credit for introductory-level courses by achieving satisfactory scores on subject-specific tests. Exams cover intro-level college course material in 33 subjects.
Modern States Education Alliance is a non-profit dedicated to making a high quality college education free of cost and accessible to any person who seeks one. Modern States’ initial program, Freshman Year for Free™, is intended to let students earn up to one year of college credit without tuition or textbook expense.