How To Prepare For High School Success

As a homeschool parent, preparing your middle schooler for high school can feel like stepping into uncharted territory (like discovering a new land!). But trust me, with a little planning and the right tools, it’s totally doable! High school is an exciting time for our middle schoolers (or shall I say jr. high schoolers). They get to experience increased independence, deeper learning, and I have found that the key to making it successful is getting organized early—yes, even during middle school. So, let’s talk about how to prepare for high school success.

5 Tips

With two students in high school, one middle schooler and a 5^th grader, I know all about prepping for the next stage, and it comes faster than we think. However, planning, like I said earlier, and having the right tools will make this process a lot easier. We are going to jump into just five things (or five tips) I have done, and think is important for the next stage of your child’s life.

1. Start with a High School 4-Year Plan

One of the best things you can do before your child starts high school is to create a 4-year plan. I know what you’re thinking—four years?! But don’t worry, this is a flexible roadmap, not a rigid contract. The idea is to map out the courses they’ll need for graduation, college, or career goals. It’s like charting the course for a big road trip. Sure, there may be some detours, but having a plan keeps you on track. Even today, since my girls are dual enrolled, they have to rewrite some of their plan, as plans change!

Your plan should include core subjects like Math, Science, History, and English, as well as electives that interest your child (foreign languages, arts, technology—you name it!). Also, remember that some middle schoolers may already be taking high school-level courses, like Algebra or Geometry. If that’s the case, those can be documented for high school credit. This is where the planning comes in handy—deciding now how to organize those credits can save you from a last-minute scramble down the road!

Not Sure Where To Start?

Not sure where to start with this whole planning process? No problem! I’ve created a Homeschool High School 4-Year Interactive Planner to help you easily organize your student’s academic path. It’s a simple, step-by-step tool to help you map out your student’s high school years with confidence and clarity. Visit the article How To Make A 4-Year High School Plan, to get the template and learn more!

 2. Documenting Middle School Courses for High School Credit

This is very important, because some of my daughters took ninth grade ELA in eighth grade. Which I documented and now they are dual enrolled and taking college level English 1. This covers a year of high school ELA in one semester. Talk about getting ahead! I discuss this more in my article How To Master Dual Enrollment In High School.

If your middle schooler is ahead of the curve and taking high school-level courses, you’ll want to be sure those classes are documented correctly on their transcript. Courses like Algebra I, Geometry, or even advanced Science classes can all count toward their high school credits. This is a great way to give them a head start, and it leaves more room for electives or advanced coursework later.

Be consistent.

The key here is to be consistent with your record-keeping. Make sure you document the course title, the grade earned, and how much credit the course is worth. Typically, one year-long course is worth one credit, but this can vary depending on your state’s homeschool laws.

To make sure you don’t miss any important details, I recommend using my Interactive High School Transcript Form. This form is designed to take the headache out of transcript-building. It allows you to input grades, credits, and extracurricular activities with ease, and it even calculates GPA for you! Trust me, it’s a lifesaver when it comes to keeping everything neat and accurate.

3. Teach Independent Learning Skills

High school is a time when students are expected to take more ownership of their learning. Although, this can also depend on the type of curriculum you have used in your homeschool. For instance, since I work from home and teach, my middle school students were already used to doing my unit studies and their other self-teaching curriculum (not online, since I couldn’t monitor that, and didn’t want too much screen time, but more active hands-on fun learning).

Prepare Them If You Haven’t

One of the best ways to prepare your middle schooler for this transition is to start encouraging independent learning now. You can begin by giving them more responsibility for managing their time and assignments. Teaching them how to set goals, prioritize tasks, and stay organized will serve them well not just in high school but for life.

Help your child build study skills, time management strategies, and self-discipline, all while balancing academics and extracurricular activities. This can be a gradual process, but middle school is the perfect time to lay that foundation.

 4. Think About Extracurricular Activities

High school isn’t all about academics! Extracurricular activities play a big role in your student’s development and can even help with college admissions down the road. Whether your child is into sports, music, volunteering, or a hobby they’re passionate about, middle school is a great time to explore these interests. Documenting these activities on the high school transcript shows colleges and future employers that your student is well-rounded and engaged in their community.

5. Stay Flexible and Enjoy the Journey

My very last tip for this article is, at the end of the day, preparing for high school doesn’t have to be stressful. In my The Ultimate Homeschool High School Guide eBook, I take you through the entire high school process in a way that we, homeschooling parents can understand. So, our preparation for helping our students succeed in middle school is about helping them grow academically, emotionally, and socially. Your high school plan may change as your student’s interests evolve—and that’s okay! The beauty of homeschooling is that it’s flexible, and you can adapt as you go.

So, take a deep breath, grab that 4-year plan, and start dreaming up (with your student of course) a high school experience that will help your student thrive. And remember, you now have the resources and tools to make this process a smooth one. From the Homeschool High School 4-Year Interactive Planner to the Interactive High School Transcript Form, you’re well-equipped to guide your middle schooler into a successful high school journey.

You’ve got this!

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