Homeschooling High School: Courses, Credits, Diplomas and Getting Into College

Can you homeschool high school?

Yes, in every state. Many families who homeschooled through elementary continue, and many teens start homeschooling in 9th or 10th grade. You'll take on a few new responsibilities: planning courses for graduation, keeping a transcript, issuing a diploma and preparing for whatever comes next.

You don't have to teach every course yourself. HSLDA points to tutors, online courses, co-ops and dual enrollment for subjects you're less confident in. Many homeschooled teens take a mix of parent-taught, online and community college classes.

Plan all four years first

HSLDA suggests mapping all four years before 9th grade, and adjusting each year. Start by asking:

• What does my state require? Some homeschool laws list required subjects or graduation requirements. See homeschool laws by state.
• What's my teen's goal? A four-year college, community college, trade school, the military or work. HSLDA's advice if your teen is undecided: plan as though college is possible.
• What do target colleges expect? Check admissions pages for required courses, especially foreign language and lab science.
• If you use an umbrella or correspondence school, include its graduation requirements.

A typical college-prep course plan

Many families model their plan on their state's public school requirements and common college expectations. A typical college-prep plan looks like this; competitive colleges may expect more.

Sample four-year plan

Credits: how to count them

A full-year course is usually 1.0 credit and a semester course 0.5. HSLDA offers three ways to decide credit:

Our guide to making a homeschool transcript covers credits, GPA and course descriptions in detail.

Choosing high school homeschool curriculum

High school is when most families outsource at least some courses. Options:

Compare options in best online high school programs, best accredited online homeschool programs and best high school math curriculum, or browse high school homeschool curriculum.

Note on accredited programs: if your teen enrolls full time in an accredited online private school, that school typically issues the transcript and diploma, and your teen may be legally a private school student rather than a homeschooler. Prices vary widely, from Penn Foster's $1,639 list price for the full program to $31,900 a year for full-time Stanford Online High School (2026–27).

Consumer math, personal finance and life skills

Not every teen needs calculus. Consumer math (also called business or practical math) covers budgeting, banking, credit, interest, loans, taxes, insurance and comparison shopping. It works well as:

• A fourth math credit after Algebra 2 for students not headed into STEM.
• A math credit for students on a vocational or work path.
• A half-credit personal finance elective for everyone.

Other life-skills electives that make great homeschool courses: cooking and nutrition, home and auto maintenance, entrepreneurship, typing and computer skills, and first aid.

Testing: SAT, ACT, CLT, PSAT and AP

• SAT and ACT: homeschoolers can test at local high schools or colleges using the homeschool codes (970000 for SAT, 969999 for ACT). Most students test in spring of junior year and may retake in the fall.
• CLT: a two-hour test taken online at home with remote proctoring; accepted by a growing list of colleges.
• PSAT/NMSQT: offered to 11th graders in October, when it counts toward National Merit Scholarship qualification; 10th graders can take it for practice. HSLDA suggests contacting a nearby school about four months before the test date.
• AP exams: a student can take an AP exam without an AP course, at a participating school. Schools order exams by November 15, so contact one well before then. Only call a course "AP" on the transcript if the College Board has approved it; otherwise use "Honors."

Free prep: Official SAT Prep on Khan Academy. See best SAT prep for teens.

Dual enrollment

Dual enrollment lets a homeschooled teen take community college classes that count for both high school and college credit. Benefits: outside grades that validate your transcript, lower college costs and a taste of college. Rules, ages and costs vary by state and college; some states pay tuition for dual enrollment students. Call your local community college's admissions office to ask how homeschoolers enroll.

Homeschool diplomas and graduation

In most states, parents award the diploma. According to HSLDA, a diploma should include:

1. A statement that it is a high school diploma.
2. The student's full name.
3. A statement that the student completed the required program.
4. The signature of the person who verified completion (usually a parent).
5. The date.

The public school won't issue one, even if you homeschool under district oversight. A few states set homeschool graduation requirements, so check your state page. Many families hold a graduation ceremony with a co-op or state homeschool organization.

GED vs. diploma: the GED is a substitute credential. HSLDA's view is that a student who completed a high school program deserves a diploma.

College admissions for homeschoolers

HSLDA notes most admissions officers are familiar with homeschooling, and many colleges publish homeschool admission policies. What helps:

• A clear transcript with credits, grades, GPA and a grading scale.
• Course descriptions, especially for selective colleges and scholarships.
• Standardized test scores, or applications to test-optional colleges.
• Outside validation: dual enrollment, AP exams, online courses.
• Extracurriculars, volunteering, jobs and projects, documented with hours.
• Letters of recommendation from someone other than a parent: a co-op teacher, employer, coach or professor.
• A parent-written counselor letter or school profile describing your homeschool.

Financial aid: federal student aid regulations recognize completing secondary school in a home school setting that qualifies under state law, so homeschool graduates complete the FAFSA like anyone else.

NCAA: if your teen may play Division I or II sports, learn the homeschool eligibility rules early. HSLDA notes the NCAA expects more detailed course descriptions than most colleges.

Starting homeschool in the middle of high school

You can. Get a partial transcript from the previous school and include those courses on your final transcript. Plan the remaining years around what's left for graduation and college goals. If your teen is coming out of a stressful school experience, a short deschooling period can help.

Homeschool high school for different paths

Advanced teen? See homeschooling a gifted child for acceleration options.

Programs that help

• Math Academy: adaptive, mastery-based math from pre-algebra through calculus for $49 a month.
• Art of Problem Solving: rigorous textbooks and live courses for strong math students.
• Teaching Textbooks: computer-graded math through precalculus, easy for parents.
• Florida Virtual School: accredited online courses, free for Florida residents.
• Stanford Online High School: a selective, accredited online school for academically advanced teens.

Save high school courses to your wishlist. In states with ESAs or homeschool grants, curriculum, online courses, tutoring and test fees may be covered; see homeschool funding.