I am currently a 10th grader in a mediocre catholic high school. I went to public school K-9, and HATED it. The kids cursed and fought each other all day. The academics were terrible. I applied to a couple of private schools in my city for 10th grade, but I ended up only getting into a medeocre all-male, Catholic school. (the good schools cost $25,000 a year, and they didn’t have much aid left for high school students, and that’s probably why I didn’t get into any of them) The Catholic school I attend is awful. EVERYONE is an athlete, and no one cares about academics.(There was a really smart 9th grader this year, and he got bullied so much, that he left the school) I am sick and tired of the macho attitude of the boys. I am the only student in most classes who answers any questions. I have decided that I will stary homeschooling myself for 11th grade. I’ve got the brains and the motivation. I need help creating a curriculum. I want to have a curriculum equal to tose who go to elite prep schools. I’d like to use the most rigerous materials out there. Here is an idea of the courses I would want to take for next year.
English
Biology
Geometry
History
Latin
Independent study in Politics
Independent study in Religion
What are the most rigerous textbooks/materials I could use for these courses? Again, I want to have a curriculum equal to those who go to elite prep schools.
Thanks!
Make sure your parents read it and know what the state expects of them. I only glanced at the booklet quickly, but from what I saw the minimum your parent(s) need to do is send your local district a letter of intent, certify that they meet the requirements to home school (which may include sending a copy of their high school diplomas), provide the district with the curriculum they intend to use, and send in the results of a standardized test at the end of the year. The booklet is 15 pages and references state codes (which your parents should Google).
I’d find out the courses your state requires first, then come back and ask for suggestions for whatever those are. You can always study other things that you don’t report to the district (but can list on your college app), but make sure you have the required courses down first.
^^ I assisted several homeschoolers in VA, and no standardized tests results are required. They could be used, but not required.
What is required is that a third party, who is also eligible to homeschool, independently verify and certify the student’s progress at the end of each year. That is done via a letter from the third party to the homeschool division of your school district.
EDIT: I do recall that there is the requirement the person sending the letter has to have a master’s degree or higher or is certified to teach in the state. I do recall that another homeschooling parent with just a high school or even college degree could not be the verifier.
I posted in your other thread too but I just wanted to add that every state is different in requirements and evaluation processes so please let us know what state you are from.
And, regardless of the state requirements or certification, presumably, your goal is still to get into those colleges that interest you. Look at this from their perspective, too.
OK, I’ve read some of your posts and after this I would tell you to RUN away from Hampden-Sydney. It is very “macho”. It’s the type of school where people go hunting after class. Its also NOT academically rigorous at all, which you seem to be looking for.
Have you considered taking a few of your classes at a community college? This is one way to show colleges that you are able to tackle college level work - by acutally doing college level work. The college would probably require you to take a placement test for math and English. Then meet with an academic advisor and choose a few classes. This will nicely supplement your home coursework.
Which state do you live in? In some states they have a running start type program where high school students 16 or up can take classes at a community college and earn credit towards high school graduation as well as college. Many 4 year colleges will accept those credits so you could potentially enroll in college as a junior after graduating from high school. But you should check with the 4 year college to make sure all credits you plan to take at the CC are accepted.
Most homeschoolers in our state do Running Start as soon as they turn 16, as the state pays for all the classes. It’s also where you can get adequate lab facility for science classes.
You can also take a lot of free online classes from websites like Coursera and EdX. They could give you a certificate of completion but no grades.
You have to do your own transcript, keep track of your classes with a full course description for each when you apply to college. There are pre-designed transcripts you can buy online, you just have to fill out the information for your courses. Some states also have Homeschool groups where you can participate in HS graduation ceremony with other homeschoolers.
Make sure you do well on your SAT I and SAT II subject tests. Since you won’t have a meaningful GPA or class rank colleges put a lot of emphasis on your standardized test scores and ECs. You can also study on your own to prep for AP and take AP tests at a local public high school.
Alternatively, check out K12.org. They supply all the textbooks and course materials you need for every grade, and also have a tutor who works individually with students online. It’s completely free.