Field and country specific. My daughter applied to programs (physics/astro) in the US and in Canada. In the US all of her choices were direct from BS to PhD, but in Canada (for at least the school she chose) a masters along the way is the default, though there are ways around it to go straight to PhD. Right now she is looking at starting research that would be great for a masters thesis, but not quite right for a PhD. Her advisor feels like she will learn the tangent she wants to go down for her PhD while doing this research for her masters. I would guess your son would want to reach out to the schools he is looking at to see what the requirements are and if his masters would fulfill them.

Guess who’s wants to study optics now?!? I don’t know why I didn’t think of trying to focus on biological applications for physics concepts. She’d much rather do things like this than hearing about people pushing pianos off cliffs. Thank you!!

I had not seen this. Thank you!! Oh, that's an interesting idea of how I might approach this!! I wonder if I could find a physics that focuses on brains, that is aimed at high school students. That would almost certainly get her excited about physics. If not, I'll make sure to cover electricity/circuits with her before she goes to college. Thank you!

That looks like an interesting book too. I knew there would be someone on this board who could help me find what I was struggling to find. Thank you so much! It's possible I could help, but it has been a long time since I took physics. That said, my oldest is a physics grad student now. When the oldest has time, she is happy to help her younger siblings with anything physics or math. She can't understand why baby sister doesn't love it like she does though. lol!! Thank you!! That is an interesting idea, though I know if she were to do an internship she'd want something to do with brains. The kid loves learning anything and everything about brains, and we have a lot of medical stuff around so that would be easier to find. Though I imagine they do have some physics stuff as my oldest was able to do an REU one summer at the local state flagship. Also, my high school only had physics taught by the biology teacher too. Must be more common than I thought.

Oh! That is just the kind of twist on things that might pique her interest. I put it on hold at the library and will get it for her if she likes it. Thank you!!

My 16-year old is convinced that she really doesn't like physics. She started a dry, algebra-based, physics course two-ish years ago and ended up instead veering off track with a deep dive into astronomy (which she loved) rather than finishing it. She's always self-studying, reading books, or watching videos about lots of different science topics -- even physics related ones as long as they don't have physics in the title. Since her intended major (neuroscience/biochem/chemistry) will almost certainly require a physics sequence, I want to make sure she has at least had an exposure to the basics before she gets to college, but it doesn't need to be a "credit worthy" class. She will already have at least six science credits by the time she graduates. She has taken calculus, so it can be calculus-based, algebra-based, or even just concept-based, videos, books, etc. My main goal is for it to be engaging so she doesn't shy away from what she really wants to study in college or do for a living just because she doesn't want to take physics. TIA!!

We reached out this past year when none of the French 2 times worked for my daughter due to classes at a local college, and she added an afternoon section. She might not want to add another section of French 3, but she’s super nice and might be able to work something out?

So far my 16-year old has taken Oak Meadow Biology, Clover Valley Honors Chemistry, physics/astronomy, and Mapping the Body with Art anatomy/physiology. She is fascinated with biology and bodies and how chemistry makes us do/think the things we do. The next obvious step would be the local CC for DE chemistry or biology so she could get into a lab instead of only using microchem kits at home, however she is in a day program for ballet so fitting in in-person classes especially with separate a lecture and lab component is very difficult. Do you have any recommendations for a great next science class for her? FWIW, she is a currently thinking about a bio/chem/biochem/neuroscience major with a fine art and psychology double minor when she gets to college, though we both know that is likely to change. We are thinking maybe neuroscience at Aim Academy or perhaps a great MOOC about bio/chem/neuro if anyone has one they recommend, but really open to any ideas. If she does an AP science it would have to be a very streamlined version. She enjoys the topics and so far has picked up all the material quickly, but again will have little time, so nothing with a lot of "busywork." Thanks in advance!

My daughter emailed the AP coordinator at the local public school and was told if she was in the boundary she could take AP exams there. We aren't in CA, but wanted to second this suggestion. I hope you find someplace.

I had planned on my high schooler taking AP Studio Art with PAHomeschoolers next year, but I see they are no longer offering it. Does anyone have advice on another way to put together an art portfolio for college apps as a homeschooler? Is there an advisor people recommend online? TIA!

I tried a sort of out of the box chemistry with my current high schooler, and it was a disaster. We ended up pivoting in the middle of October just like you are doing. We chose Clover Valley Chemistry's honors (not advanced honors) asynchronous, parent-graded course. My daughter loved it! She learned a ton. Highly recommended. That said, I don't know what support comes with it as it all just clicked for her, but Connie is very nice and can probably help you figure out if the course would be a good fit for you. And I'm pretty sure the labs use the kit you've already purchased, though you'd have to double check as it's been a couple years since she took the course.

We are debating graduating my youngest at the end of the coming year. In that case her freshman year will look very similar to yours. Colleges love to see rigor increase throughout the four years so the "easier" 9th grade year might not be the stumbling block you think it is. I would still tend to agree with the others that if she's going to take classes at the local CC, I would consider not graduating her and count the more advanced credits as DE (unless she's going to go to a school for undergrad that would give credit for them if they were taken after HS, but not if they are DE). I have a kid looking to transfer, and the scholarships really are much more limited for transfer students. The biggest hole I am seeing is that almost every college wants four years of English, and, without putting her "8th" grade year down as 9th, it looks like she only has three?

As has been mentioned here, thinking of the floor/minimum can be a big disservice to a college bound kid. While you likely can get into a college with 4 English, 3 science, 2 social studies, etc. You really need to look at the colleges and majors your child is interested in, and find not just what the minimum is, but what they are wanting/expecting from admitted students. My youngest is all over the board as far as the type of college she wants to attend and her possible major, so we are sticking with 4+ credits each of the main 5 -- math, science, English, social studies, LOTE -- like was mentioned above. As far as what level is the minimum for any subject it depends on the kid. Mine is interested in science and/or fine arts so I would say the floor for her in math is calculus to keep her competitive for a possible science major. For your son interested in music, calc might not be needed. Mine will have a lot of fine art electives, but others may not need any fine arts or only need one credit. I think the reason you aren't getting the answer you want here is because there is no one standard for homeschoolers. I really would look into college expectations for the schools/majors in which your kids are interested, especially if either is considering competitive schools, and go from there.

We are debating (and likely going to) graduate my youngest and least academic kid early. She has been doing high school level work since she was 10 or 11, but just isn't into school. She wants to dance, and that is a career with an expiration date, hence our considering letting her graduate at 16. If you live in a state that covers DE or it's not cost prohibitive, could you compromise and instead of graduating him early, assuming he already has all the credits you want him to have to graduate, let him take DE classes that focus on entrepreneurship/business or other things that will help him grow his business? Good luck with your decision!

He sounds a bit like my youngest. She's a pandemic homeschooler who just kept with it after things opened back up because she liked how quickly she could get her work done and move onto her interests. She's into STEM but also fine art/animation, and while she will tell you that she doesn't like world languages she'll probably have six credits (3 Mandarin, 2-3 French) by the time she applies to college. She takes a mix of self paced and group online classes and will be adding DE next year at 16. Because she dances 20+ hours a week we tend to keep her English and social studies solid but efficient so she has more time for science and art. Her social group tends to be her dance friends. She will also have some self designed classes on her transcript. I think that is a great part of homeschooling. And a few more random thoughts for you: 1. I have only skimmed the replies, so I am sure you've been warned, but once you start HS at home it can be hard (in some school districts at least) to get the credits to count if you decide you decide he wants to go to public HS later. Rather than choosing government just in case he wants to go to school in 10th, you might want to proactively reach out and see what would actually keep that door open for him in the best way. Though I'd be very hesitant to take such a bright kid and stick him in the online school associated with your public school just in case he decides he wants to go back. That's not to say government isn't a fine option for him, but I'd also make sure he could go back as a 10th grader the following year instead of having to "repeat" freshman year if that is important to you. 2. There are providers that offer AoPS during the day. I think WTM is one of them. 3. If you don't decide to go with an all in one like Stanford or CTY, there are a lot of great providers out there that just offer a few classes such as Clover Valley Chemistry. This place is a great resource for finding them so check the pinned posts, use the search, and keep asking questions. 🙂 4. You may be surprised at the age of kids at your local CC. Our local CC has ~2000 students and ~550 are under 18, since we live in a state that offers free DE. Wishing you all the best in deciding your path.

My oldest attended a Holy Cross (Catholic) affiliated LAC in the US. She was required to take two theology classes and one philosophy class. She was also required to take classes in diversity/inclusion as well as global perspectives among other things in their core requirements. The only religious service she attended her four years there was during freshman orientation weekend. There was no required chapel. Other classes had no prayer or religious content besides the usual touching on religion when it comes to discussing something like history. They teach evolution. She is agnostic and never felt unwelcome or like she didn’t fit in. Her commencement speaker was gay, other speakers during her time there often led with pronouns, so I would guess her school, while religiously affiliated, is more liberal than many religious schools.

Similar to what Clemsondana wrote, my oldest is going to start working towards her PhD in physics next year -- actually at a Canadian school that has the world's largest cyclotron -- and she really thinks her writing ability is what really helped her stand out in what she is hearing was a tough year for new physics grad students. She even managed to combine two of her loves (physics and poetry) for her honors research project as an undergrad. Will they be challenged by English 101? Probably not, but can they still find challenge in college? Certainly. I went to a mediocre at best high school and wasn't challenged by freshman English at a "top 20" US university, but your students could work to get 5's on AP English exams and not have to take freshman lit classes in college.

I am no expert, but my oldest (who just graduated with a physics major and starts working towards her physics PhD in the fall) started with calc based physics in HS. It worked well for her. That said if your student is doing DE calc in the fall could she just do DE calc-based physics in the spring?

I can hardly believe my "baby" will be a senior next year, though she may get a fifth year of high school as she's quite young for grade. Next year she will be doing a lot of things through state funded programs including: 1 credit art history, 1 credit fine arts, 1 career/tech elective through a unique program with a local college (not exactly DE, but top notch art instruction at a school with a great reputation) DE English (fall quarter) DE Calculus (winter quarter) DE ?!? (maybe a third DE class in spring quarter, maybe not, we'll see.) And homeschool classes: French II -- Aim Academy (she also has three years of Mandarin) Mapping the Body with Art Psychology -- not sure where yet, but leaning towards AP at PAH And her only extracurricular is dance, but she's dancing about 20 hours a week, so it keeps her pretty busy.

Ugh! I came so close to using this curriculum this year. I even purchased it last spring, but when I started a quick look through, something made me think it might not be a good fit, and since it was so new that I couldn't find a single review, we went in a different direction. So glad we did!!

The art program she would do if she gets in is at a college and gives her a fine art credit, art history credit, and a career/technical elective credit. I am under the impression all three would be DE credits too, but will find out more if she gets in. They used to give credit for AP art history through this program, so it’s quite possible she could self study. If she doesn’t get in, she’s ready to go full time DE and a lot of this worry clears up, but it’s a top notch program so I am still really hoping she gets in. Thank you!! Yup! I took 4-5 AP classes my senior year. The rest of my family flew to my grandmother’s funeral but I couldn’t go because I had an ear infection. So I took all of the tests, sick, driving to a big city about an hour away (getting lost the first day), the first time I had ever been left at home alone for multiple nights in a row. I think the tests were easier back in the 90’s though as I somehow did well on them. She will probably double major in something bio and something fine arts. She’s unlikely to go straight from high school to college (is looking to dance professionally and then go to college) so I’m not worried about credits. It’s fine if she has to start over in physics if any is required for her major in college, but thank you!! Thanks everyone!! This is very helpful. Sounds like I need to keep pushing for her to consider at least English being DE. She’s a competent writer, but is just going to be time pressed next year.

My class of 2024 senior will be dancing 20+ hours a week and (hopefully) doing 15 hours a week of art through a state funded program next year. I thought she should do DE for her other credits to keep the rest of the workload more manageable, but she has her heart set on AP. We'd love to hear about any good, but not overwhelming options, but are specficially looking at AP Calc AB, AP English Language, AP Physics 1, and/or AP Psychology. Some of the AP classes I saw say around 15-20 hours a week of work. Not only is 15 hours a week too much for one class with her other commitments it's over 500 hours of work for one credit if the class is 36 weeks long?!? Thanks in advance!

My dancer is actually quite worried about trying and "failing" but I'm working hard on convincing her there is a lot of value in going all in for something you feel so passionate about. That giving it everything and not getting a contract doesn't actually mean failure, she will grow in a lot of ways during the process, and whatever she chooses to do next will value someone who knows how to give it their all. We also make sure she knows she can walk away at any point. If she no longer wants to dance more than anything else in the world, a lot of her other interests have a much more straightforward trajectory. Either way, it's not an easy path for sure!

We aren't sure yet. She is so focused on dance. She is not likely to be a "liberal arts" or "engineering" major, but she is a kid who is split between life sciences and art, so a school strong in both would be good. She is looking at things like neuroscience, architecture, environmental science, medical illustration, physical therapy, or maybe animation. She's still a bit all over the map. We don't initially plan on having her take any college level classes after graduation, but depending on where she lands and how many hours she is dancing, she may keep exploring career options after graduation with MOOCs, self paced HS classes, or the like so hopefully when she's ready she will have more of a directions. Though I changed majors three times in college, so I know whatever she thinks she wants to do might not be where she ends up anyway. Yes! Our plan had initially been to have her take a singular gap year, apply to colleges during that year, and then if she wasn't "on the path" to a contract to go ahead and go to college the following year, but between what you have said, talking to other people, and the fact that one of her favorite dance instructors is telling her that dancers these days are often 20 before they know if ballet is a viable career path for them, I'm just at a loss of how to navigate this process. That could be four years of post high school training for her before we even know if it is going to be possible. I am a planner and having a hard time with this nebulous timeline/path. LOL! I want to know what to do now. And speaking of that, do you have an advice on recommendations for someone on this who-knows-when application timeline?!? Could she ask teachers to write recommendations next year (likely senior year) but then have them submit them to the common app whenever she finally gets around to applying? How does that work? Wow, sounds like trainee is a whole other level of exhausting. It's crazy how much they can love something that is so hard!!

Good luck to him! My oldest just committed to a grad school yesterday, though her deadline was 4/15, and it is so much nicer with the decision made!! But this ballet thing, it is just a whole other level!