HELP FOR HIGH SCHOOL
As parents of high school students, we move beyond just teacher to the position of guidance counselor and transcript keeper. It can be confusing to know what requirements your high school student needs to meet for graduation, and part of that confusion comes from GA public schools having differing programs of study for students who are college prep versus career and technical.
I've compiled a list of links and resources that should help you as you navigate these high school years.
Georgia Department of Education Graduation Requirements
A Quick Chart from Georgia Futures
Georgia Department of Education Recommended Courses for College Bound Students
RECORD KEEPING: For keeping track of the courses your child has completed, I recommend writing a summary at the end of the school year that includes the name of the course, a basic description of content covered, the method of grading used, and the grade earned. This will help in the 11th and 12th grade years as you are compiling a formal transcripts. Plus, some colleges may ask homeschoolers for course descriptions in addition to transcripts. You don't want to have to go back and remember every class your child has completed in the last 3-4 years!
CREDIT HOURS: Regarding courses, remember that a credit equals a full year course, or between 120-180 hours of work (typically, an elective will be more in the 120 hours, a course like history will be 150 hours, and a lab science will be 180 hours). You don't have to keep track of all the hours your child puts into the class, but that should help you determine if the class is a full credit or a half credit (60-90 hours)
HIGH SCHOOL CLASSES in MIDDLE SCHOOL: Can you count high school classes your child took in middle school? Yes - within reason. Most colleges will have no trouble accepting classes like Algebra I, Physical Science, or a first year of a foreign language taken in 8th grade. Those are pretty common for public school students. In general, you should not try to claim high school credit for English, social studies, or elective classes taken in middle school. In order to claim credit for a high school class, the student must have completed a high school level of coursework successfully.
Below is a chart I made using the information from the links above. You are welcome to use this as a guide and planning tool for your personal use. Please remember to always check the GA state requirements for the official rules.
