Home Schooling Teenagers Preparing For College

Most of the high school years are spent preparing for college and discovering passions for future careers. This is a time when most home schoolers do not follow a textbook driven curriculum. Most home schoolers learn by interest driven curriculum and some students even become experts in their field.

There are diploma programs for home schoolers, which are equivalent to an institutionalized curriculum. But that is not the only option to provide learning. Many home schooled teens use selected correspondence courses in specific areas of interest, or take classes at community colleges, or use community education programs, home school cooperatives, or online classes on the Internet. Students have the opportunity to pursue what they enjoy, which usually involves extra training with a mentor or tutor, or special courses. There are advance placement courses online or by mail, county immediate school district programs, or private classes, the learning options are endless.

Teenagers should really focus their energies on schoolwork, excellent grades (and grade point average) and the direction they wish to take for a career. If a student is interested in pursuing a college degree, he/she should practice and prepare to take PSAT, SAT, and ACT. Some home schooled students get college credits for taking CLEP (College Level Examination Program) courses. Colleges are seeking students who are well rounded, who have a desire to learn and be a part of the community, and who excel in textbook studies.

Parents who home school their teenagers cannot teach them everything they are interested in learning. For instance, a student who is passionate about flying and aviation probably doesn't have parents who are experts in this field. Mentorships, apprenticeships, and on the job training are necessary to better learn a skill or trade that is not found only in a textbook. Experience is more valuable than textbook memorization of subjects.

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