I don't have any real experience, but I take optional scores as truly optional. If you don't think the SAT scores would help and certainly if you think they might harm his chances, then I wouldn't sent them. It sounds like he's a strong candidate without the SAT scores. Also, "I" don't have any trouble being "that mom" and calling or emailing with mom questions on behalf of my student.

I agree with separating World and US history since this is typical for transcripts. I ended up listing everything by subject and not listing grades at all. This enabled me to have courses that started mid 10th - mid 11th and also allowed us to highlight strengths on the transcript.

A year of English at my home might include about 2 Brave Writer courses, some other writing assigned by me as well as literature assigned by me or otherwise outsourced. I am aware of what is taught in Brave Writer as I read all of the assignments and the feedback. It's not too hard for me to keep up with.

I'll try to answer what I think you are asking. Brave Writer classes are usually 4-6 weeks long. They do not have any live/video portions. Each day, or at least many days of the week, assignments are posted. Withing a week there are usually some reading assignments (how to... or samples), some shorter easy assignments and a longer harder assignment. Teacher feedback is given on all the assignments and this is what is so worth paying for. I find the teachers fabulous at both being encouraging while constructively moving the student along toward much better writing. Students can see the other students writing and the teacher critique for all the students. All the different 4-6 week classes have a different focus.

I love Brave Writer.

Similar advice. I'd look at what you can't be flexible on - what has to be finished either because it's required yearly (English, math) or because you are paying to outsource and you are on someone else's schedule. Do you have wiggle room just within these classes that don't have much flexibility? If you don't, I'd think about cutting back on outsourcing. If it's managable then great. Next, I'd prioritize everything else. Are there things you absolutely want to finish? Are some things on a home schedule that can take two years? I think it's fine to do several extra courses and then figure out how much credit later, or just not finish in a year. I organize my transcript by subject rather than by year because we don't start and finish on a typical calendar year for all subjects.

Personally, I think you have to judge the entire package. Are they taking rigorous courses? This might mean lots of APs, but it might simply mean good quality core classes. If your transcript is full of electives and minimal core classes then it is not a rigorous schedule. Beyond that I think you have to judge individually. A homeschooler may not be able to take a bunch of AP classes due to lack of teachers, lack of money to outsource, etc. They do expect in future years to take "solid" courses, but this can be accomplished in many ways other than AP. My oldest was just admitted to a very competitive university. His transcript stood out showing his passion for math, though it didn't have a bunch of APs on it. I actually emailed some admissions counselors asking about this as well as if I should label anything honors. They basically said a homeschooler was judged as if from a school of one so labeling something honors was pointless. Honors differentiates students when in a school with multiple levels taught. They gave similar advice about APs saying not everyone had access to AP classes so your transcript will be judged on it's own merit.

I do as much as needed until they can do it independently. I'm paying for the class and ultimately in my homeschool "I" am the teacher and I am using this online class as part of my schooling. Typically I use it as is, but sometimes I change it as I need to meet my needs. I have one son 15 yo) that does everything independently. I do log into his account to check grades and make sure he's on top of things, but he does fine managing everything. He needed a little help early on deciding when he needed to contact the teacher, now he decides on his own. His OLDER brother is a different story. I'm pushing him to be more independent while keeping a careful watch over him. I have forwarded his emails to mine so that I can see if the teacher emails. I try to simply ask if the work is done for the week, however when I get a yes it's done I already know if everything is marked submitted and I sometimes have to point out that there is more to be done. Last year I had to help micromanage everything so he's come a long ways toward independence. I was still helping him with a lot at the beginning of the year, but now he generally will manage himself.

I only put final grades on my transcript. For my midterm report, I listed coursed in progress with midterm grades. I also explained why one course was dropped and one added.

By the way, the PA homeschoolers class is by the same teacher (and much of the same materials) as the Physics Prep website I linked above.

Physics Prep looks like a good online self-paced class (and auto-graded) class for any of the AP Physics. The videos, problems and solutions are all good. I would add some specific test prep. http://www.physics-prep.com/

No it doesn't surprise me that the preschool teacher doesn't notice. Unless your child picks up a book and starts reading, there is not a lot of opportunity for your child to show skills on typical day. I'd be happy if you like the teacher and program.

I agree. Update. Some won't accept an update or don't care, others will.

Thanks everyone.

IDOC = Institutional Documentation Service (through College Board) Evidently it is only available for certain colleges. I'm feeling lucky now. Through IDOC, we uploaded tax forms and W2s as well as a non-flilng letter for my son. Basically it was just a signed form certifying he did not file taxes because he did not need to for that year. His school requested it and they were sent directly to the school.

I have one entering high school, one in high school and one graduating. I certainly think you can be flexible and creative in how you do things. Of course certain subjects like math are much more structured in the order and expectations. However, other assignments/projects/rabbit trails can cross between certain subjects. You have to be careful you are doing enough in each subject to be able to assign a full credit if you are doing so. For some courses, I let me kids follow their passions and then wrote it up as an elective. I definitely change things up as we go and redefine where we are going. As long as at the end education is occurring and the student is meeting expectations then you are accomplishing stuff. I do think you have to keep in mind college requirements assuming your student is college bound. However every requirement does not have to be the most rigorous. You can do some subjects "lite" so that you have more time to spend in other passions. Follow your instincts and still have fun with high school.

I had to do this and did not have any trouble. We did it through IDOC, downloaded the form, signed and scanned it. The school accepted it and says we are good. Sorry you are having such a hard time. I"m not sure what to even suggest.

AP English Lang and Comp through PA Homeschoolers AP Calc AB using Derek Owens supplemented by mom for AP prep AP Statistics - PA Homeschoolers AP Psychology - probably US HIstory - home Latin 2 - KET various elective co-op classes and lots of Boy Scouts and Ultimate Frisbee

I was simply thinking that my boys have had a lot of that type experience through Boy Scouts. In addition to doing an Eagle project, they've had a lot a general leadership experience, presentation experience, and putting together lots of smaller projects such as when the Boy Scouts teach the younger cub scouts at a local campout yearly. I like the idea of using the Boy Scout Eagle project paperwork as a guide for doing a personal project. However, it's usually hard to be motivated when you don't have a reason (like getting Eagle) to do the project. Small scale projects and leadership of any type would be useful.

This is my 3rd high schooler, but she is quite a bit different from her brothers who were heave STEM focused. One of my main goals is to continue to work on textbook reading skills as she struggles as a dyslexic. Much of her work will be audio-visual based. English - a mix of Brave Writer courses and Center for Lit. Might also do some Teaching Company lectures with literature Algebra 1 - AoPS - hope to finish Algebra 1 and continue to go through Geometry slowly. Geometry - continue AoPS - I know it's backwards to start geometry before Algebra but she has good grasp of algebra concepts and great visual spacial skills; still working on fundamentals of decimals and percents World History - MOH Earth Science - BJU plus some Teaching Company Homeschool Spanish Academy Co-op - various elective classes Maybe Musical Theatre Lots of time spent doing Ultimate Frisbee.

I agree - don't know what he wants students to learn.

Can I sign up my child for just a student account or do I also need a teacher account?

Window to the World includes some literature, but I'd be inclined to add more. Basically an English credit needs both writing and literature so you are mostly set.

My transcript is organized by subject and that is not going to change. I currently have English, Math, Computer science, Science, History/Social Science, Foreign Language, Other. Where would you list AP macroeconomics and microeconomics - under history/social science? Where do you put AP Psychology? Alternatively, I can make another category for "other" AP courses

I might contact the college directly to ask how to contact the instructor - maybe something as simple as a different email. However, it sounds like a poorly organized course. While a GOOD stress management course might be good, it doesn't sound like this is a good course for her. I'd start thinking about dropping the class.