I think I know what my son should do with his life, but he is not ready. While Marcus is mature in many ways, he also struggles with many youth his age. Knowing that most of the people his age lack conviction or just blindly follow what someone else tells them, disturbs him greatly. It is hard to be a young adult right now. Marcus’ senior year will be challenging, but I have homeschooled for the last 28 years and am confident in our eclectic choices for this year. However, each year, I focus on the year in front of me and not the years I have already completed. This is our 12th Grade Homeschool Curriculum Year. While many 12th graders are thinking about college, Marcus is unsure of the direction he will be going after completion of his high school program.

Our Twelfth Grade Homeschool Curriculum Choices are Guiding Our Son

Many high school students choose college immediately after high school, but there are other options. Last year, I detailed out our curriculum choices for our son’s 11th year with the thought that even though last year he should be a high school senior, we would allow him to take a couple of classes at home for the 2021-2022 year and also do an internship before deciding college or trade. Public school makes high schoolers believe there is only one option – college! I believe that all people should work at their own pace and take ownership of their learning.

Furthermore, society also pigeonholes students into one strict grade level. However, my son is at THE high school level! Last year, he had the opportunity to study to take the insurance exam – property (house and auto) and life. After studying for several months, he decided to not go down that path. While he liked some of what he was studying, there were parts that he did not like and a decision was made to go in another direction.

I tell you all this to say that some of his 11th-grade courses still need to be finished, and there were some courses he swapped out for other ones. THIS.IS.THE.BEAUTY.OF.HOMESCHOOLING!

One more point: Marcus as an 18-year-old senior has a lot of input in the courses we are selecting. If he looks at a course and is not thrilled with it, we select something else. We are also okay with pivoting at any point in the year. That is why last year we completed courses that were not on our list. Please, do not be afraid to make changes mid-year if your child needs that.

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Here is the rundown for our 12th Grade Homeschool Curriculum Choices

Our Typical Course of Study Subject to Change

For several subjects, we are using Schoolhouse Teachers. This curriculum offers you over 450 courses for one low price. It is an annual subscription for the entire family and offers subjects K-12 with even options for preschool and adult courses.

12th Grade Homeschool Curriculum CORE SUBJECTS

Math

CTCMath Algebra 2

(CTCMath has options for Kindergarten through Calculus and you can access all of them for each student.)

Marcus has not finished Geometry because of a pivot we made. (He ended up doing some Personal Finance). So this year we are finishing up Geometry and doing Algebra 2. He knows he doesn’t want to be an engineer or anything requiring more advanced math.

Science

Simply Coding – Beginning Computer Coding

Last year, Marcus did a couple of computer classes. Simply Coding’s Beginning Computer course was our selection last year, there are several courses he is looking forward to completing such as Microsoft Excel and Build Your Own Computer.

English

How to Write a Resume

This 4 lesson course by SchoolhouseTeachers.com gives my son the clear direction he needs to compose a resume, but it also shows him the reason why we need to write! This course helps him with career readiness and applying for jobs now and in the future.

Writing Advertising Copy

Another short course from SchoolhouseTeachers.com teaches a skill-based on a real-world need. Whether Marcus decides to work for himself or someone else, he will need to know the skill of writing copy especially since almost everything we do online is to sell – either ourselves or our product.

Learn to Write Well

SchoolhouseTeachers.com has so many writing courses that it is hard to choose exactly which one to use, but this one is definitely awesome!

Literature

Most years I allow literature to be a little more flexible than some families are comfortable with. For example, Marcus ended up reading 1984 and a lot of The Complete Tales of Uncle Remus. This was something he was interested in after watching Disney Song of the South. Quite frankly, I should have also counted this toward learning a new language, because this book is a hard read and the dialect is like learning a different language.

To some people it may appear that we don’t stick to the plan – we don’t, but Marcus is also learning what he shows a passion for, and in my book that is always a good thing. 

Some of the choices for literature this year may include: 

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer 

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Rip Van Winkle

To Kill a Mockingbird

A Wrinkle in Time

History

Last year, American History was on Marcus’ list, however, I called an audible, and he completed Drive Thru History Bible Unearthed. This awesome course was a history course and Bible course. It is rich in recent Biblical and archeological finds that I knew nothing about. Dave Stott does an excellent job at teaching in a fun manner. Therefore, American History is once again on the list! 

American History: SchoolhouseTeachers.Com Drive Thru American History. We have done various aspects of American History, but I wanted to give Marcus one last overview. I thought Drive Thru History in Schoolhouse Teachers would be just what I needed. Coupled with a few literature books, we will be good to go.

American Government

While Marcus is not doing a traditional American Government course, he studies current events and listens to political analysts. Marcus has a great overview of American Government and has a passion for our country and rule of law. Along with this self-study is a robust self-study social studies course.

Science

While Marcus does not need another high school science course, I decided to have him complete an electronics course. ETron Circuit Labs has a great electronics course suitable for 7-8th grade and up. Marcus seems genuinely interested in this course.

Economics

Since Marcus has shown such interest in economics, we selected Boundary Stone’s Economics. A college-level textbook is a basis for this course, and Marcus previewed it last year. I know that he will love it.

Foreign Language

Japanese Duo-Lingo

12th Grade Homeschool Curriculum Electives

Public Speaking

A few years ago, Marcus did a public speaking course, however, I believe we all need as much public speaking as we can get. Therefore, I will look for ways to increase his speaking abilities and opportunities to hone his skills. He will also be competing in our State Fair through 4-H in a public speaking event.

Accounting

Accounting knowledge and skills are essential in today’s world. I am expecting this Accounting 101 course by SchoolhouseTeachers.com to help him narrow down his career choices. 

FINE ARTS

Last year we did a year of art – drawing, painting, and art history. While we don’t have a formal art curriculum planned, Marcus will probably still do some drawing just because he likes it.

Music: Piano

Continuing Piano Lessons. However, we may add voice lessons and another instrument this year.

Bible:

Continuation of Reading Through the Bible

Additionally, Marcus is reading some books about Holy Spirit such as Fresh Faith by Jim Cymbala, and a couple of books by Kevin Zadai. My goal this year is to help him hear from God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit and discern the direction God would have for his life. He will also be doing a research paper on world religions.

Field Trips

No twelfth-grade education would be complete without a variety of field trips. We do intend to visit various places that highlight American history.

Life Skills

As always, our children are a part of our everyday lives. This means that whether we are remodeling a room, buying an appliance, cooking, cleaning, or shopping for clothing or groceries, they are involved in the process of learning everyday life skills.

Finally, Marcus will probably look at part-time jobs and make a decision about that direction.

So there you have Marcus as a twelfth grader doing his last year of high school. Whether he ends up doing community college, courses at our local state university, an online course, an apprenticeship, or something else, is yet to be determined. Let me know what you are using below.