First, let me say, this is such as bittersweet year to plan. It is so exciting to be graduating my oldest daughter this year. It will be her last year homeschooling, the last year for all three of my children to be my students.
For reference, during her junior year, she completed year 3 of The Good and the Beautiful High School ELA curriculum and the Saxon Advanced Mathematics book. She scored high enough on the ALEKS test at the community college to register for Calculus 1, so she will be taking that through the college rather than continuing with Saxon Calculus at home. She took physics through a local co-op, we spent the fall semester on economics in homeschool, and she completed US government through ACC as a dual credit class in the spring. She also completed a half credit of PE in homeschool, a half credit of photography through 4-H classes, activities, and competitions, and a credit of theater arts through camps, performances at a local theater, and drama club at a local library.
For her senior year, we decided to fulfill her remaining credits via dual credit classes through Austin Community College district. We have a campus near us, so although she does not drive yet, it will be easy enough to get her to and from her daily classes. This fall, she is registered for English Composition 1, Calculus 1, and Molecular/Cellular Biology. Since we are not using any other curriculum, I am hoping that three college classes will not be too much for her to handle, but have already told her if she needs to drop one, she can. She still wants to have enough time to participate in local theater classes and productions, as well as time to participate in 4-H activities.
I am also hoping to use her senior year to take drivers ed and get her license. She turns 18 this year, however as a teen with autism, we have put off driving instruction. My oldest is incredibly intelligent, however she has struggles that many neurotypical teens do not. The coordination required for driving will take longer for her to master, so I know she will require more practice time. She is fine not driving, and may not drive even once she obtains a license, but I feel that driving is an adult skill that she needs to master before leaving home.
She also has not taken the SAT or ACT. I would like for her to attempt both this fall, but we will see. She may take one, be satisfied with her score, and decide that one is enough.
Right now, her plans for after high school graduation are a bit up in the air. Austin Community College offers free tuition for dual credit students for their core classes and free tuition for recent high school graduates. I would like her to utilize the opportunity to get her first 30-45 hours completed at ACC to save money, and then complete her degree at the university of her choosing. We are located very close to Texas State University, so that would be an ideal place for her to finish her degree and save money by living at home. However, I know as a young woman, she is eager to become independent, so we will see what happens.
It should be an interesting year. And although she is still homeschooled, this year will be very different in that all of her classes will be outsourced to be taught and graded by someone else, a college professor. I am so very proud of the young lady she has become, the obstacles that she faces and overcomes every day as a neurodivergent individual, and the determination that she has. I cannot wait to see all that she does!
North Star Homeschool Resources 