High School Electives for Homeschoolers

Posted on October 30 2024

High School Electives for Homeschoolers

 

A homeschool education is a custom experience tailored to your unique learning style, needs, and lifestyle, and electives give you the opportunity to further customize your education.

Participating in electives is one of the most fun experiences you’ll have in high school. They are a great way to explore your interests, prepare for college, and gain skills to help with life after graduation. Plus, depending on what you choose, you may find opportunities to meet interesting people and make new friends.

What are electives? 

Electives are credits that don’t have certain course requirements—you can choose the classes you want to take to satisfy the credit requirements. While there are some courses required (e.g., English, math, and science), there are other courses that you can choose to suit your interests—these are electives. Electives often include subjects such as foreign languages, physical education, and fine arts. Options vary by school, but students should choose classes that align with their interests or goals. 

Why are electives important? 

Electives are important because they help provide a well-rounded education. 

These types of courses allow students to gain knowledge in an area they are interested in or build skills they can use after graduation. Students can also take courses that will help them explore certain careers—for example, an introduction to graphic design class. Others can actually lead to licensure in trades, such as cosmetology. 

How many electives do I need to take? 

The number of high school electives for homeschoolers varies by state. Typically, it’s anywhere from five to seven credits, but you should check your state requirements before signing up for any classes.

High School Electives for Homeschoolers

One of the benefits of being homeschooled is the flexibility of your courses. There are many options for how you can earn elective credits, and they are likely to be some of the most fun classes you take in high school. 

While students in traditional schools are usually limited to the courses offered at their schools, homeschool students can learn in a variety of settings, including: 

  • Online — Many organizations offer online electives for high school homeschoolers that allow students to earn credits when and where it works best for them. 
  • Community colleges — Community colleges offer a variety of courses at affordable prices. An added bonus of taking classes at a community college is that you can earn both high school and college credits at the same time!
  • Co-ops — Homeschool co-ops are a great place to explore options and connect with other homeschool families who can provide ideas. 
  • Private lessons — Private lessons are another way to earn credits. Lessons could include anything from music to dance to art. 
  • Athletic teams, clubs, or classes — If you enjoy playing sports or taking exercise classes, you may be able to earn class credit for them. 

    • Electives from The American Academy

    The American Academy offers more than 100 online courses that can be completed anytime and anywhere, including homeschool electives for high schoolers. 

    Benefits of taking electives at The American Academy include:

  • Asynchronous, Online Classes: Work on coursework when and where it works best for you. All you need is a computer and an internet connection.
  • Huge Course Catalog: Challenge yourself or dive deeper into your interests. We offer courses in everything from game design and marketing to medical terminology and mythology and folklore.
  • Next-Business-Day Start Date: When you enroll in a course at The American Academy, you don’t have to wait for a new term to start. Courses start every business day. 

    • While we offer a diploma program that families often use as an online homeschool program for high school, homeschoolers also use our individual courses to help fulfill high school elective requirements. Be sure to check out our offerings!