How To Make A 4-Year High School Plan

When I first started, I was a little overwhelmed at the process of creating a four-year high school plan for my two students. I was anxious and couldn’t figure out where to start. In this article, I will share how to make a 4-year high school plan, and give you tips for success.

The 4-Year High School Plan

Creating a 4-year high school plan can help your student stay organized and focused on their academic and personal goals. The plan involves several steps to ensure that your student meets graduation requirements and is prepared for future goals. Below are some steps to set you and your student up for success.

So, grab a spreadsheet, notebook, or planner, to get started. If you want to make life a little easier, grab our interactive 4-year high school Plan. All you have to do is fill out classes, and it will help you plan and keep up with credits!

Step 1: Understand Your State Requirements

Research graduation requirements:

Each state has specific requirements for high school graduation. Make sure you know the required courses and credits. You can find your state and their requirements here.

Be diligent to check for updates. State requirements can change, so stay informed. The HSLDA can help you keep up with current state laws and regulations.

Depending on where your student wants to go after high school, you will need to research not only your state requirements, but also their college of choice requirements and know anything you require of your student.

Step 2: Set Academic Goals & Desires

Identify your interests and career goals:

What does your high schooler want to be as an adult, where do they see themselves ten years from now?

This can seem scary to them, because frankly, kids don’t always know what they want to be right now, and desires change as the years change. But don’t be afraid to help them imagine. Discuss with your child their interests and potential career paths. Watch videos on different careers or encourage them to take a career class.

Set academic targets and determine the grades and skills your child should achieve by graduation. You can do this the traditional high school way, or through dual enrollment.

Step 3: Plan Courses for Each Year

The 4-year plan helps you to create a course outline. Plan the subjects and courses for each year, including core subjects (math, science, English, social studies) and electives. Our interactive 4-year plan will list all the main courses your student needs to graduate from most states. You can fill in any other courses that are needed or desired. Remember to check with your state to see if anything is missing.

If you are starting from scratch without a template like ours, be sure to write every course required before planning the school year, and before considering dual enrollment.

Again, you can include advanced courses like Advanced Placement (AP) or dual enrollment courses if your child is college-bound.

Step 4: Try To Incorporate Extracurricular Activities

The school year doesn’t have to be dry, nor does it have to use boring textbook work. The homeschool families options are unlimited in what we can do.

Extracurricular activities can include a unit study of a desired “extra” subject of interest, sports, clubs, volunteer work, and part-time jobs that align with your child’s interests. Always ensure your child has a balanced schedule, too much or too little can affect future years.

Step 5: Meet Regularly With Your Highschooler

Don’t just assume they are okay simply because they are older, and more independent. Your child needs you to help them stay on track.

Meet regularly: Schedule regular meetings with your child to review their progress and make adjustments. Remember, what works for one student might not work for another. Every homeschool is different because the education is tailored toward those students.

Stay flexible: Be open to changes based on your child’s evolving interests and goals. If something does not work, is not working for them, remove it so they can succeed. Also, get help where help is needed.

Step 6: Document Progress

I am a firm believer in keeping a portfolio and having work samples.

Do Keep your students high school records: Maintain detailed records of courses, grades, and extracurricular activities. These can be listed on the four-year plan and on transcripts. Keeping a portfolio is just the icing on the cake. The proof is in the pudding!

Create a transcript: Prepare a high school transcript for college applications or future reference. See my article on transcripts and how you can easily create one with our interactive transcript template.

By following these steps, homeschool parents can create a comprehensive and flexible 4-year high school plan that meets educational requirements and supports their child’s personal and academic growth.

If you have any questions, email me here.

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