Many homeschoolers begin to panic when their children reach middle school age, because, no matter what statistics say, they have no idea how they will get their homeschooler prepared for college. Previously, I wrote about how you your child can audit college classes for high school credits, which included ensuring that your child will be able to handle college level work. Another route your homeschooled child can take is to enroll for advanced placement courses.
Advanced Placement classes (also known as AP classes) are high school classes taught at a college level. While they are essentially college courses, they are taught in a high school setting, therefore eliminating the stress level that comes with taking courses at a college. I recommend that every college bound homeschooler takes at least one AP course before starting college. Not only will it give them confidence that they can handle college level work, but it will also give them college credits that they will not have to repeat in college. In addition, the child would have more freedom than they would in college to ask the instructor for extra help. Taking an AP course equates to taking a class that is one-step above high school level, and one-step below college level.
Your homeschooler can sign up for AP courses at local public and private highschools, depending upon the homeschool laws and restrictions in your area. You may even want to check your local (larger) homeschooler associations for Advanced Placement courses that they may have arranges. Advanced Placement Courses are also available online.
Your homeschooler can also forgo taking the AP classes altogether, study for, and take the AP test for their chosen subject on their own. The tests are provided at local public schools, private schools, and online. Some homeschool associations also arrange for homeschoolers to take these tests as a group.
Read Homeschooling High School: Planning Ahead for College Admission
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