Planning for After High School

Job and Life Skills

If it's likely your student will want to jump into a job after high school, it makes sense to focus some homeschooling energy on the skills they need to be successful.  For a neurodiverse teen, that may mean Business Communications, Business Writing, social customs of the workplace, understanding the job application process, etc.  A financial literacy course might help with understanding benefits like health insurance, or employment taxes.

Community College

Many autistic kids won't be ready for community college early, but if it's a goal in the future, it's worth a chat with your admissions office now, just to see if there are things you can do to be prepared.  Make those skills the focus of your homeschool work during the teen years.

Each college program will have specific requirements to gain admittance, but most Oregon community colleges allow homeschoolers to take classes at age 16, without a high school diploma. Placement tests may be required for certain classes.  Ask to speak to the homeschool liaison in the admissions office for the most knowledgeable advice.  Taking classes independently will mean paying the tuition yourself, unless you go through a charter high school which offers a dual-enrollment program. 

Disability Services Office:  All community colleges in Oregon have a Disability Services office, where students can arrange to receive accommodations for their learning or physcial disability.  They are usually very helpful with technology, reminders, and advisers who are used to the needs of neurodiverse students.

Online options:  Since the pandemic, most community colleges around the state have increased their online course offerings.  Most are still at about 50% online versus in-person.  This opens up some possibilities for neurodiverse students to meet their sensory needs by learning at home.  Also it means a program that was not offered locally might now be available remotely.

Free Tuition: The Oregon Promise program is an income-based grant program that offers free CC tuition for graduating high school seniors, if they go to community college within 6 months of graduation.  This program is available to homeschoolers as well, you just have to keep track of all your high-school level work for 4 years, to make your own transcript.  There are many online templates for that.  Homeschool applicants must turn in their ESD confirmation letter, 10th grade Terra Nova test results, and the transcript.  Here is the page that desscribes the Homeschooled Applicant requirements. 

Credit Recovery:  Community colleges sometimes have programs to allow high school students to make up credits.  For example the Portland Community College Credit Recovery program.   PCC also offers the Gateway to College program, for local students only.  Some charter schools also offer credit recovery.

Apprenticeship training programs

Trades such as electricians, plumbers, carpentry, etc, frequently  have apprenticeship programs run by the local union.  Calling some likely candidates and asking about their requirements can help guide your high school study plans.  The state Apprenticeship Opportunities page has a list, as well as the Women In Trades organization. 

Four Year University

Thousands of homeschoolers are welcomed (even sought-after) at universities around the country, with a home written transcript and portfolio.  Most universities have a homeschool specialist in their admissions department. If your student is college-bound, looking up the requirements for homeschool admittance at several of your top choice schools is necessary by at least 10th grade.  Be sure to keep track of all your study materials starting in 9th grade, to avoid the last-minute crunch preparing a transcript.  

SAT or ACT tests:  If your student will need accommodations taking the SAT or ACT, there needs to be documentation for a few years in advance of the request. (Like an IEP.)  Contact the testing organization for their requirements.  Homeschool applicants may be asked to take the SAT individual subject tests to prove their knowledge level (history, science, language etc), so find out what is required by your target schools well in advance.

Disability Services: More universities have support programs for students with learning disabilities, but they do vary in quality and cost.  

Oregon public university homeschool admission links:

• Oregon State University Homeschool Admission

• University of Oregon Homeschool Admissions

• Portland State University Non-Standard Applicants