Homeschooled Through Highschool:

Cassondra from Beyond the Cover

Those of us who homeschool or who have been homeschooled through high school know that IT IS VERY Possible. But how? Many parents and students look towards high school with fear and trepidation instead of being joyous as to how far into the journey they have come. I realize that families homeschool for a multitude of reasons and that each family is unique, but questions still arise when the words high school are mentioned!

Can it be done?
Yes! If anyone says otherwise they do not know what they are talking about. I graduated from homeschool in 2012. I graduated with 44 other homeschool high schoolers and that was just a small group! Our larger homeschool graduation group in our state had about 300 graduates. If that doesn’t say it can be done, I don’t know what can.

How many hours a day or week did you homeschool?
Normally, I did school for about five or six hours each day, five days a week. Occasionally, I did school four days in a week, due to a field trip or visiting friends that would take most of the day. Sometimes I would bring work I could easily do on the road, like read a book or something. Although I had days of no school, I wasn’t done with school until everything on my weekly checklist was checked off!

What homeschooling method did you use? Was it a good fit for your learning style? Why or why not?
My homeschooling method was Charlotte Mason. I say it was an ideal fit for me and my learning style! It encourages the student to learn from living books and hands-on experimentation. It elevates education into an enjoyable experiment, rather than a dry and boring sentence. I found that I learned more by hands-on activity other than reading how it was done.

What extracurricular activities or clubs did you participate in?
Oh, boy, let’s see…I was part of a Homeschool Chess Club. I beat the highest ranked player there…once, and only once. I think that was all I was a part of?

What were your favorite subjects and why?
I loved English and History. English, because it was my God-given talent and I loved to write. History, because I loved to learn about the famous patriots, the royal kings who ruled from their castles, and the resolute faith of past Christians.

What was your least favorite and how could it have become more tolerable?
That is an easy question! I absolutely resented math and still do to this day! I don’t think anything could make it tolerable for me, probably because I couldn’t add up two plus two most of the time. Okay, I’m not that bad, but it still is my least favorite.

Pros vs. Cons of homeschooling high school?
I loved homeschool, so I don’t have any cons. Really! I have no cons toward homeschool. Homeschooling has affected my life in so many ways. It has given me relationships with each of my three brothers and my parents. It has allowed me to follow my interests and develop my talents. There is no doubt in my mind that I am going to homeschool my children. Homeschooling is the best possible gift you can give to children for their present and future life.

Did you help plan your curriculum?
Yes! I loved to help pick out the poems I’d be memorizing, the books I’d read, and the historic figures I wanted to study. Of course, my mom had to okay my choices, but she usually let me choose.

How many years did you attend high school?
I was homeschooled from Pre-K through 12. I have never attended a public school and do not regret it one bit. I graduated June 2012 and was so happy to have my parents hand me my diploma!

How many siblings do you have and are they homeschooled?
I have three brothers, all younger than me. They are homeschooled, and they love it! They do not want to go to public school AT ALL. They feel so powerful when they finish school ahead of the public school kids, who arrive home hours after they have finished for the day.

How do you feel homeschooling has prepared you for life?

I honestly don’t think that the academic homeschooling part has prepared me for life…entirely, but rather the environment of my homeschooling education that has taught and prepared me for life. Granted the academics do play a major role on life, but academics are not what will help me in living life. My parents’ example, their advice, and their expertise are what will prepare me. They have lived life. They have gone through things—experienced things—that a book or math problem cannot teach. My parents have done a wonderful job teaching me about the One who will help me in everything. Through their tireless teachings and living example I have the means to live a life well prepared for even the toughest of situations. Through homeschooling, with both a combination of academics and the environment in which I was educated, I do believe I am prepared for life.

Are you in college?
No. I am not in college and I do not have plans of going to college in the future. I believe that it is my calling to be a disciple for Christ. He has given me talents and the Bible tells me to use them for His glory. (Matt. 25: 14-30)

Do you have your own business, website, or blog? What is it? What is it about?
I do. I started blogging in September 2012, at Beyond The Cover (http://www.beyondthecoverblog.com). My blog is about helping others, (using my talents). I am a bookworm, and any member of my family can vouch for that. I have read both good and not-so-good books. I want to share my experience and knowledge with other moms who are struggling to find good resources for their children and give them ideas that I’ve used in my homeschooling years. I want to be an encouragement to them.

What is something you would tell a soon to be parent of a high schooler?
Don’t give up! There will be days that you just want to give up, but don’t. Take a break if you must, but don’t give in to difficulty. Each of us has different trials to deal with, but all of life has trials, not just homeschooling high schoolers. Like Art Williams said, “I’m not telling you it is going to be easy, I’m telling you it’s going to be worth it.”

Cassondra Freeman is a Christian, homeschool graduate, who enjoys spending time on her blogs, Beyond The Cover, where she writes about her passions, and Unassuming Designs, where she shares her love of graphic design. When she isn’t blogging, she is reading, writing, or doing photography. She also enjoys spending time with her family, which consists of her two parents and three younger brothers. Her dream is to one day become a wife and stay-at-home mom, but in the mean time she is trying to do God’s will.