If you’re homeschooling through high school, you may have asked yourself a question that many parents have brought to me over the years, Will my child really be able to go to college?

Perhaps you’re transitioning from a traditional school. Perhaps you’re preparing your first homeschool graduate. Even if you know other homeschoolers who have gone to college, thinking about your own child’s future can feel different.

My husband and I homeschooled 5 children, and all 5 went on to college. Our experience has given me plenty of encouragement to share with families approaching this season. And 1 of the most valuable lessons we learned was to pay attention to each child’s individual interests, strengths, and goals.

5 Children, Different College Journeys

When we thought about college for our children, we kept returning to the idea of fit. What environment would help this particular student grow? Which opportunities mattered to them? What did they want to explore after high school? The answers varied.

Each journey gave us another reason to look closely at the student making the decision. A sibling’s college experience could offer insight, while each child still needed room to discover their own direction.

At this time, 4 of our children have completed undergraduate degrees, 3 have earned graduate degrees, and our youngest is a college sophomore. I share this to encourage you as you consider what may be possible for your own student.

3 Things to Help Your Teen Find a Path That Fits

1. Keep Clear Records of High School Learning

One practical place to begin is your student’s academic record. Keep track of their high school work and build a transcript that accurately reflects their courses and learning. Taking time to organize that information can make the planning process more manageable.

As your teen becomes interested in particular colleges, research those institutions’ admission requirements together. Requirements can vary, so give each school individual attention.

This is also an opportunity for your student to participate actively. Work alongside them as they investigate what a college expects and what questions they need to ask.

2. Make Space for Career and College Exploration

Some teens have a clear career interest. Others are still discovering what they enjoy. Both situations leave room for useful exploration.

Our children’s experiences showed us how activities and interests during high school could help inform later choices. Model United Nations, travel, language study, and environmental conservation all became meaningful parts of different journeys.

Pay attention to what interests your teen. Invite them to talk about what they enjoy and what they want to investigate further.

The College Board’s BigFuture resources include tools for exploring possible careers, comparing colleges, searching for scholarships, and planning next steps. There is also a page specifically for parents of homeschoolers. You can use these resources to begin a conversation, even when your student has no firm plan yet.

Try a Simple College Comparison

Set aside some time with your teen to explore a few careers and compare two very different colleges.

Ask:

• What appeals to you about each school?
• What doesn’t appeal to you?
• What would you need to learn before considering either one more seriously?

Listen to their answers. You may discover a preference they haven’t mentioned before or a question that deserves more research.

You don’t have to settle their entire future in one afternoon. Give yourselves time to learn.

3. Prepare for Life After Admission

Getting accepted is one milestone. Your student will also need skills to navigate the work and responsibilities that follow.

During high school, give attention to:

• Managing deadlines.
• Communicating with instructors.
• Asking questions when something is unclear.
• Seeking help when needed.
• Taking ownership of their work.

These skills can be practiced as part of the high school work your teen is already doing.

For example, when they need clarification from an instructor, support them in learning how to ask. When a deadline approaches, include them in thinking through what needs to happen and when. Academic preparation and growing independence can develop together.

Take the Next Step With Your Student

Our 5 children’s experiences continue to remind me how valuable it is to prepare thoughtfully and consider each student individually.

Start with one step you can take together. Organize part of the academic record. Explore a possible career. Compare 2 colleges. Give your teen an opportunity to practice taking responsibility. Their direction may become clearer as they gain experience and ask more questions.

Support for the Parent Doing the Planning

Course planning, recordkeeping, transcripts, and preparing for graduation can feel like a lot to carry. For a practical starting point, visit my freebies page for the homeschool high school checklist.

Plus, I’m preparing a membership focused on getting homeschool done and staying accountable for those high school tasks that are easy to put off. Stay connected by joining my newsletter for updates.

Watch my video below for more of our family’s story and the resources I share: