Visit the The HomeScholar Blog!Dig Deeper into tough homeschool topics
 "My first year of homeschooling High School for my son was a nightmare. Before High School our homeschooling experience was fun and full of adventure. Good books, random and interesting experiments, (sometimes our neighbors even liked to watch) field trips, outside activities, and you guessed it...learning! That was 1st through 8 th grade. Suddenly the two letters that always concerned me came sneaking up from behind me. H.S. Yes, High School. Sure, I'd taught my son well up until then, yes, he'd always received top scores on early ACT tests, of course people were always astonished that my son was so knowledgeable at everything from chess to HAM radio. But THIS was High School. This was the REAL thing. I needed guidance. I needed direction. I needed, what was that word....oh yeah, organization.
So, what did I do? I chickened out. I went the "easy" way. No more reading great literature for us. No more discussing exciting books and digging deeper into areas of interest. This was the real thing. We had to do it the "right" way. I signed up for an accredited school that would give us “real grades”, with a “real diploma”, and a “real transcript” at the end of 4 years.
"Well, the "easy choice" and the "real school" turned out to be a REALLY big mistake. I had to do everything the way that their school told me to do it. It was no longer our school. We had been taken over.
"Well, it's summer now. We are still piled in paperwork to turn in. The times that he didn't do as well as he hoped and received a "bad" grade were out of our control. We just had to accept it. There was no "make-up" work or "extra credit". There was still work to be done, and there would be no more summer vacation for us. We had to finish EVERYTHING. It didn't matter if he already knew it. We had boxes to check and grade levels to calculate and turn in.
"But wait...I remembered Lee Binz aka The HomeScholar. She had the same philosophy that I had about learning. I remembered reading encouraging articles from her. She thought that homeschooling through High School was not only possible, but it would be profitable. Maybe I should read some more of her articles on Facebook I thought. I started reading them and she was so inspiring.
"Today I made a choice that will affect our next 3 years of homeschooling. It will even redeem our last year of a homeschool which was a nightmare. It will affect my relationship with my son for years to come. I know this in my heart. I watched Lee's 1 hour Homeschool Transcripts Webinar. While watching it, all of my fears melted away and I was reminded of why we started homeschooling in the first place! It was the joy of learning, and a blessing from God! She gave me detailed instructions on how to grade our work, give credits, and make transcripts that included high school level work from previous years. Lee has done her homework, and done it well!
I’m thrilled to be able to use her expertise to make my own transcripts for my children. Lee has also given me tips on making sure that I don't forget to include the extras that we do every day to impress colleges with our sometimes unconventional achievements. My son was thrilled when I told him that he could have his summer break back. After all, this is High School. This is the "real thing". It's time to have a real summer vacation. Just think, we may even learn a thing or two this summer, and don't worry, thanks to Lee, I'll be able to put it all on his transcript. ;0)"
~Sandie in Michigan
"I know I have emailed you often lately.... But THANK YOU, THANK YOU for your blog! As I read it over time, really important stuff sinks in. You are SUCH A BLESSING to my family. Thank you for all you do."
~Cheryl in Washington
"Lee!!!!!! You don't even realize what a blessing your blog post was to me today... SERIOUSLY! I was actually talking to the Lord about this yesterday; then you post this! Amazing! Thank you so much! May God continue to bless all you do for Him and us home schoolers! You're awesome! :) Love..."
~Leslie in Indiana
"Lee, You just don't know how much your website and blogs DO help me. Since I've found them my peace of mind has increased a thousand fold. I really enjoyed the stuff your husband wrote while refering to "The Incredibles". It was priceless! Knowing that others have gone through the pit of puberty with their children and have come out the other side let's me know that it can be done! Each day that I search around on your site I find something new and helpful. We have one year left before we are officially high school so I need all the help I can get.
Thank You!!!!"
- Sally in Oklahoma
"Dear Lee,
I just wanted to write and thank you for the encouragement you provided as my daughter applied to colleges this fall. A big thanks for taking time to look over her transcript and make suggestions regarding courses taken through outside sources such as community college and distance learning programs. It really made for a more professional look.
In addition, thank you for the articles about the SAT and ACT on your blog/website that lead me to have Madeleine take both tests. Her high ACT score along with her GPA got her the invitation to Scholars' Day. I am convinced that her ACT score was a large factor in being awarded the Centennial Scholarship as well as being invited to be a member of the Ina E. Gordy Honors College at Mississippi University for Women. Madeleine's scholarship will be paying for four years of tuition, out-of-state fees, room/board, book stipend as well as $5000 toward a month summer abroad program. We are so proud of her hard work and thank you again for all that I learned through your services.
There are sooooo many parents that worry about college and scholarships. You are providing a service much needed by many of them."
- Renee in Alabama
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" Matt, Excellent article, Mr. HomeScholar! Manners are such a pleasant rarity these days and they truly are more important than just "looking good" before others. Thanks for sharing the many other values of manners that may not be all that apparent on the surface. Happy Father's Day!" - Dianne
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" Hi Lee, I'm so relieved to have found the HomeScholar...I've been homeschooling my kids for about 4 years now, and my oldest is approaching High School. After doing some reading on your website, I am now gathering my courage and resources to take this next big step. Thanks," - Michelle in Texas
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" Hi Lee, Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions at the conference. I've been praying for an answer to my unique needs in homeschooling my oldest son. I believe God answered my prayers by sending me to you. A huge weight was lifted after speaking with you and your husband." - Janel in North Dakota
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" Lee, I want to thank you for the expert guidance. Your advice about the Teaching Textbooks for a math curriculum was a sure winner. To reiterate, I have a mathophobic 15 year old, and she's now getting on track, with something close to enthusiasm. No more forced labor, threats, etc... she genuinely is having fun. Amazed," - Kim in Texas
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" I cannot tell you how excited I am to have found your site. I have two daughters in high school and a 3rd grader. Although I consider myself to be fairly experienced in homeschooling, it is so nice to have a real resource for this phase. We have homeschooled since kindergarten with all of them, but high school feel like so much more responsibility. Thank you so much for doing the work you do. I will be in touch as soon as my feet come back to earth and I figure out which of your services would best meet our needs right now. Sincerely," - Rose in Maine
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" I read your blog. There is a lot of great info there. May God bless you for your willingness to bless others who are following you on the homeschooling path!" - Susan in MO
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" This is a fantastic lens (How to Homeschool College.) I gave you five stars, left a comment, and e-mailed it to my son and to my friend. I hope my son takes it seriously. He's been putting off the CLEP tests, partly because of lack of time, but he's hoping to get some done soon. Thanks!" - Susan in Arkansas my52cents.blogspot.com
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" I found you on a HS group I'm on. I wanted to check here because I have a Squidoo also. I already found helpful information here (How to Give Homeschool Grades) and I'm excited about getting your newsletter and reading your blog. I've been HSing for about 14 years and only have 15 years to go! I'll see you around!" - Sheri
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" I am so excited to have this as a resource (How to Give Homeschool Grades) to refer homeschoolers to!! So detailed and informative." - Karen
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" Wonderful collection of information, all of it right on (Homeschooling Gifted Teens). I've marked you as a favorite. Thank you!" - Allan
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" Wow Lee! Great lens! (Homeschooling Gifted Teens) I like the way you think. Good luck!" - Serendipity Rose
"Your transcripts and records were
the best organized and documented I have seen"
- Bryan Jones, Associate Director of Admissions,
Seattle Pacific University
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