High School Options

If you are just starting homeschool during high school, likely this is because something about school is not working; your student needs a different environment or academic focus.  At this age, it's all about Goals.   Where is my student headed, what does he/she need to learn to get there?  Fortunately, by homeschooling, you do have more options and more control. 

Decision Time before 9th Grade

Rules about high school credits and graduation vary by state.  In Oregon, regular public high schools do not accept credits for work done at home, starting in 9th grade.  So while you CAN still enroll in high school at any time, they will likely ask your child to repeat any studies they may have done at home.  They also might be hesitant to enroll your child if there is little chance that they will graduate on time (make up the credits) because, unfortunately, the public schools get judged by their graduation rate.  

So, if you are in public high school already, and want to switch to independent homeschooling, that's fine, but it probably needs to be a final decision not to go back.  And if you are currently homeschooling in 8th grade, it's helpful to decide before 9th grade if you are going to want to go to public high school at some point in the future.

If you DO want the possibility of going back to public high school, you'll need to homeschool using a charter.  They have the ability to award credits and keep up your transcript towards an Oregon diploma.  

If you decide you DON'T really need a diploma, that is fine also, lots of people do that.  In that case, just stay on (or join) the independent track.

Does my child really need a state issued diploma?

This is an important question to consider.  We hear all the time about needing a diploma to succeed in life.  However, plenty of homeschoolers go on to great colleges or careers without one, by making their own transcripts or meeting the requirements in other ways.  Keep an open mind as you research.  See the Transcripts page and the After High School page for details to think about.

Public Diploma Option

If you definitely want or need a diploma, you'll need to go through a public homeschool support charter school (see Charter Schools list) or find an alternative program such as the high school services at Mount Hood Community College.  

If your child is missing credits, there are online credit-recovery services from accredited schools, that you can pay for independently.  Just check with your charter to see if they accept those credits. 

Home Diploma / Transcript Option

If you decide to stick with independent homeschooling, plenty of homeschoolers have their own, meaningful graduation ceremonies with family, or with their co-op group; just order a cap and gown and have a great looking diploma printed.

Most colleges really want to see the transcript anyway.  The diploma is essentially a fancy piece of paper.  The transcript shows all the work your child did, their grades, and whether they met the credit requirements.  See the Transcript page for how to make your own.

What about a GED?

Recommendations regarding getting a General Education Diploma (GED), have waxed and waned over the years.  If you don't want to do the public school diploma route, but think you will need some type of formal stamp of approval later, then the GED is an option.  Essentially it's a series of four tests to pass, in the core academic subjects, so you have to be ok with studying and test taking. You have to be 18 in Oregon to take the tests. There are some apprenticeship programs that don't recognize home written transcripts, that do accept a GED.  A GED is NOT necessary for community college or 4-year university.  Most people pay for some classes to study for their GED, either at a community college or any number of private providers. 

Community College classes during high school

In Oregon, community college classes may be taken by anyone over the age of 16, even without graduating high school.  For a neurodiverse child, this depends on them being academically and emotionally mature enough to handle the classes.

If you are with a homeschool charter, most will pay for CC classes that count towards high school graduation, either part time or full time. See charter school page for details.   If you are doing independent homeschool, you can still take CC classes, you just have to pay tuition.

Since the pandemic, most community colleges are offering more online courses (around 50%) so that may make it easier on a sensory-sensitive ASD teen, who is otherwise ready for the academic load.

See After High School for more discussion of community college options.