New to homeschooling - high school help

[calbury]

I have a bit of a unique situation. I've never homeschooled before, but my eldest daughter (15) has had problems at her regular school that have made home-schooling a 'must' (long story). She is 15 years old, we live in the Bahamas (there are no regulations here re homeschooling). I am British, my daughter is a citizen of both the UK and the Bahamas.

I have spent many hours researching our homeschooling options, but there are some things that confuse me! I have found a program I like - Sonlight - but I don't understand how she can receive 'official' grades on any test she takes. How do I deal with a transcript? How can she apply to college without a diploma? To confuse matters even more, she wants to go to college/university in the UK where A-Levels are generally required for acceptance. Should she do an online AP course instead? In what grade do children usually do these courses (she was in grade 10 at school, but that's the Bahamian grade 10 - from the online tests I've done with her since she's been home, she seems more suited to grade 9).

I know that there are sites like Keystone that offer a high school course and diploma, but the literature-based Sonlight program looks so much more inviting. But then I'm back to the problem of no grading.

I'm sorry for all the questions, but I feel I'm going in circles trying to work out what to do for the best and - in the meantime - my daughter is learning very little.

(Just one more thing - we live on a very tiny island. There is no local support for home-schooled kids and we don't have the option of using any school facilities, other than for sitting the SATs... and I have questions about those, too, as I went through the UK school system and don't really understand the US one too well). But that's probably enough questions for now - I'd be grateful for some advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation.

Thank you

[mom2ponygirl]

I think you will need to google homeschooling in the UK to get the info you need. I can give you tons of resources for homeschooling high school but I don't know the UK system or how much flexibility you will have for entrance to UK colleges.

In the US, it is quite possible to get into college without grades, or with a few grades from online classes or community college classes. You can also design your own exams and give grades based on whatever criteria you decide.

Hopefully someone from the UK can chime in! I'm sure it can be done, just have to dig out the requirements for college and work backwards to see what you need to do.

[kathymuggle]

Work your way backwards. Start with the 2 or 3 post secondary schools she wants to attend.

Go to the website of those Universities or colleges. See if they have entry requirements for homeschoolers. They might not have them listed - so you might have to call and ask. If they have no such things - look up their mature entry status. Is that an option?

I would tailor her plans somewhat to where she intends to go.

I would keep track of any extra curriculurs she does at the high school level - because you never know . Many Hsers use a portfolio of work as part of the admission process.

Edited to add: just for kicks, I googled University of London, Southbank. While they did not have a section for HSers, they do have an extended entry program for people without formal qualifications. Essentially, you take course for a year, and if you do well, can apply to regular University. I imagine other schools have such things as well. There are usually ways around things.

[calbury]

Thank you so much for your replies. My daughter and I are putting together an email to send to all the schools offering the degree course she needs (she want to be a pharmacist).

Has anyone here used Sonlight? I'd love to hear their opinions about it and whether it covers subjects in enough depth for this stage of her education. I've been looking at the core 100 to start.

[kathymuggle]

I have not used sonlight.

I would do a seperate thread with a title like "sonlight for highschool?" and see what kind of advice you get.

Good luck!

kathy

[calbury]

Thanks - I'll do that

[Daffodil103]

Have you considered IGCSEs?

If you have access to exam centres this may be an option. Most Commonwealth countries (Bahamas is, right) are familiar with these. This is the route we're taking with my DD14. It might be worth looking into. I think there are lots of advantages
-lots of subjects to choose from
-no coursework
-you really only need 5 IGCSEs for 'A' Levels
-lots of resource materials
-you can work at your own pace
-internationally recognised

Cons
-external exams are not for everyone
-finding an exam centre may be tricky

There's a very helpful UK-based Yahoo group....

[calbury]

Thank you - I didn't realize they existed but will check them out