High School and Beyond

And HOME is here to assist you from start to finish! 

It's never too early. Planning ahead during the elementary years helps to create a smooth transition into the high school years. Here are some important steps to take to learn more:

Planning Sessions and Workshops

• Attend a Homeschooling High School 101 workshop. You can also register to view the recording of the Homeschooling High School 101 workshop at your convenience.

• Listen to HOME's College Fair webinar recordings.

• Schedule a Preparing for High School and Beyond Planning Session. 

Those looking ahead to the high school years, as well as those nearing the finish line, often have new questions and concerns. 

Planning sessions are available throughout the year to all those seeking guidance in homeschooling high schoolers, preparing transcripts, etc. 

Families who join HOME receive one session FREE! For more information, please feel free to call the HOME Office.

• Contact a HOME Representative for more support! 

Preparing for High School and Post High School Resource Links to Review

• Visit the Homeschooling Thru High School pages on HSLDA's website to find information and encouragement for teaching high school aged children. You will find: 

- Answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs)

- Curriculum resource lists and links

- Record keeping and transcript resources

- Testing resources

- College admissions information

- And much more... 

Maine's Early College Programs give high school students a jumpstart on college, dual credits and classroom experience!

During the high school years, homeschoolers have access to free or low-cost college courses through the University of Maine System. There are five requirements: 

1. The student’s educational program must meet Maine’s legal requirements for home instruction.

2. The college must have space in the classroom for the student.

3. The student must have completed all course prerequisites.

4. The student must submit such evidence of academic fitness as the college may request.

5. The student must receive the college’s approval of the student’s academic fitness.

Find out more about Maine's Early College Programs, visit Early College Programs. 

Be sure to watch this informative webinar, too:

• How to Leverage Early College for your Post-secondary Education is an informative webinar, featuring UMA, UMaine and UMaine Machias Early College Directors, Rachael Magill, Kari Suderley, and Christy Alley. Together they team up to present an informative session on Early College Enrollment. Register here for a link to this webinar!

Below is an additional list of resources for high school students considering college: 

• High school students who are college bound should be in contact with at least three colleges. Visit colleges in our virtual College Fair Exhibit Hall! Also, the following website provides an extensive list of homeschool friendly colleges and universities: http://learninfreedom.org/colleges-home-schooled-students.html

• Transcripts - A high school transcript is vitally important for all homeschool graduates. Find out more about record keeping and transcripts, OR register for our transcript course!

• Writing a Successful College Essay - In our Writing Successful College Essays webinar recording, former high school English teacher, Angela Hurd, explains the "how to" of writing a college essay that will get you noticed by admission counsellors. Register here for a link to this webinar!

• Student Financial Assistance

• Testing - PSAT and SAT test information is available at www.collegeboard.com. Homeschool students taking these tests should put in the following code numbers (for their state) where requested to on their answer sheets:

PSAT - ME - 992099, NH - 993099, MA - 992299

SAT - all states use 970 000 

               Classic Learning Test - This is an excellent alternative to the SAT, and is becoming a popular     

               choice among homeschoolers.

• The Congressional Award - America's Best Kept Secret - The Congress of the United States awards bronze, silver, and gold medals to deserving youth, ages 14 to 23, who have set and achieved goals in the four areas of personal development, physical fitness, voluntary public service, and expedition/exploration. The only civilian medals struck by Congress, these awards are highly regarded by colleges and universities for scholarships and admission, even at the Ph.D. level. 

Are you looking for a gap year, dual credit, or a full college experience? Ascend can accommodate you!

Ascend by Unbound is an intense college experience designed to catalyze, enable, and energize Christian homeschoolers. Ascend students don’t just get access to an air-tight academic plan to earn a bachelor’s degree, they become leaders and innovators with a world-class community that has their back.

Whether your student is in the program for one year or four, your student will get leadership opportunities, Christian community, registration and travel to live events, and rock-solid academics. Plans are flexible from 9-30 college credits per year. 

HOME families get $150 off enrollment! Apply or schedule an appointment today!

Good Record keeping is important for your child's future, so be sure to consider the following:

• Graduation Requirements - There are no specific graduation or credit requirements for homeschooled students in Maine! Beyond complying with the homeschool statute, families are free to determine the best overall course of study for their student during the high school years. Families will determine when the course of study has been completed, create a transcript and grant a diploma. However, if college is (or could be) part of future plans, it will be important to look at what specific college admissions requirements are for any colleges that may be of interest. That way, a child's high school course work can be tailored to meet those requirements. This article will help you to plan ahead and provide you with some general course recommendations.

• Transcripts - A transcript is the most important academic record of what a student has accomplished throughout their high school career. Every child should have one! Learn more about creating a transcript here.

• Assigning Credit - Give yourself and your student credit for learning outside-the-box! HOME's Out of the Box Credits webinar offers ways you can give and get credit for middle to high school student learning experiences that don’t look like traditional, behind-a-desk learning. Register here and a link and password will be sent to you.

• Diplomas - Yes, you can and should grant your child a diploma! Find out more about homeschool diplomas here,

• Common Core and Graduation - How are homeschoolers impacted in our state? Read more about Equivalent Instruction and Common Core in Maine.

When you've finished the course, be sure to mark the occasion!

•  Join us for HOME's Annual Graduation Ceremony! If you have a young adult who will be finishing their high school program this year, consider participating in HOME's statewide graduation ceremony! 

• Graduation Supplies and High School Diplomas