High School is a time for youth to explore a variety of topics and experiences as they attempt to discover what things interest them for their future. It’s an opportunity to study topics beyond the basic core that might not have been covered yet or to get more in-depth with a specific subject. Here are some resources to help you plan out your high school electives.
In general, high school core subjects are math, English, science, and history/geography. From there, most of the other subjects a student chooses are considered high school electives. Credits are typically awarded based on the amount of work or hours completed – between 110 & 180 hours = 1 credit (depending on where you live). Below are some ideas of high school electives you can add to your school plans. Wherever possible, I’ve included links to some programs, courses, or resources that are available. There will be more than I have listed here so be sure to check your favourite homeschool curriculum providers to see if they offer any electives that I haven’t listed here.
- Christian content is marked.
- Canadian resources have a 🍁 symbol beside them.
- Please note: Although I’ve listed all Schoolhouse Teachers as “online” – courses are offered in a variety of formats. Some are video, some are print, etc.
This post contains affiliate links.
The Arts
- Photography
- Photography Learning Paths: Lynda.com. Online.
- Visual Arts Photography: Blyth Academy. Online. 🍁
- The Eye, The Shutter, The Light, The Colour: Introduction to Photography. Oak Meadow. Print.
- Photography Class: EarthSchooling. Online.
- Photography: Schoolhouse Teachers. Online. Christian.
- A Year With My Camera: Online. Free for email version.
- Interior Design
- Filmmaking
- Videography Learning Paths: Lynda.com. Online.
- Film School 4 Teens. Online. Christian.
- Filmmaking: SchoolHouseTeachers. Online. Christian.
- Art History / Appreciation
- Drawing on History. Print or Digital Download.
- AP Art History: Khan Academy. Online.
- Art Appreciation: Easy Peasy High School. Online. Christian.
- The Master and His Apprentices. Print. Christian.
- God & The History of Art. Print. Christian.
- Art Appreciation: Tree of Life At Home. Print. Christian. 🍁
- Art & History Interconnected: Schoolhouse Teachers. Online. Christian.
- Architecture
- Homeschool Architecture. Online.
- Choir
- Instruments
- Piano: Hoffman Academy Online.
- Guitar: Justin Guitar. Online.
- Theatre Arts
- How to Write & Produce a Play: Schoolhouse Teachers. Online. Christian.
- Music Theory
- Music Theory: Royal Conservatory. Online. 🍁
- Music Theory i & ii: Schoolhouse Teachers. Online.
- Introduction to Music Theory. Online.
- Music History / Appreciation
- Music Appreciation: Easy Peasy High School. Online. Christian.
- Music History: Royal Conservatory. Online.
- The Study of Music: Oak Meadow. Print.
- Music Throughout History: Schoolhouse Teachers. Online. Christian.
- Music Appreciation: Tree of Life At Home. Print. Christian. 🍁
- Dance
Life Skills
- First Aid & CPR
- First Aid For Free. Online.
- Culinary Arts
- Kitchen Skills. Online. Christian.
- Kids Cook Solo. Online.
- Hospitality & Food Safety: Alison.com. Online.
- Early Childhood Development / Education
- Child Development: Study.com. Online.
- Early Childhood Education: 7 Sisters Homeschool. Digital Download. Christian.
- Human Development From a Christian Worldview: 7 Sisters Homeschool. Digital Download. Christian.
- Family Studies
- Families in Canada: Blyth Academy. Online. 🍁
- Home Economics
- Home Economics: Household & Personal Skills. Online. Christian.
- LIFEPAC Family & Consumer Science: Alpha Omega. Print. Christian.
- Nutrition
- Exploring Creation with Health & Nutrition. Print. Christian.
- Real Food Nutrition & Health Course. Online.
- Nutrition 101: Choose Life! Print. Christian.
- Nutrition & Health: Blyth Academy. Online. 🍁
- Human Nutrition: Alison.com. Online.
- Personal Finances
- Foundations for Personal Finance: Dave Ramsey. Video. Christian.
- Personal Finances in Bite-Sized Chunks: Schoolhouse Teachers. Online. Christian.
- Building Your Future. Online.
- Financial Literacy From a Christian Perspective: 7 Sisters Homeschool. Digital Download. Christian.
- Personal Finance: Alison.com. Online.
- Driver’s Education
Business
- Accounting
- Financial Accounting: Blyth Academy. Online. 🍁
- Accounting 101: Schoolhouse Teachers. Online. Christian.
- LifePac Accounting: AlphaOmega. Print. Christian.
- Financial Accounting Fundamentals: Virtual High School. Online. 🍁
- Business
- Introduction to Business: Blyth Academy. Online. 🍁
- Business Management – Leadership Fundamentals: Blyth Academy. Online. 🍁
- International Business Fundamentals: Blyth Academy. Online. 🍁
- Introduction to Business: Virtual High School. Online. 🍁
- The Business Course. Online.
- Entrepreneurship
- The Emerging Entrepreneur. Digital Download or Online. 🍁
- Entrepreneurship for High School: Venture Labs. Digital Download.
- Internet Entrepreneurship for Teens: Schoolhouse Teachers. Online. Christian.
- Entrepreneur Skills: Alison.com. Online.
- Marketing
- Marketing – Goods, Services, & Events: Blyth Academy. Online. 🍁
- Become a Marketing Specialist: Lynda.com. Online.
- Marketing: Alison.com. Online.
- Economics
- Economics – The Individual & The Economy: Blyth Academy. Online. 🍁
- Analyzing Current Economic Issues: Blyth Academy. Online. 🍁
- Economics: Schoolhouse Teachers. Online. Christian.
- Economics: Thinkwell. Online.
- Modern Economics: Alison.com. Online.
Technology
- Computer Science
- Computer Science Principles: Code.org. Online.
- Game Design
- School of Game Design. Online.
- Web Game Design: Schoolhouse Teachers. Online. Christian.
- Game Programming with VB: CompuScholar. Online.
- Video Game Programming & Production. Online.
- Web Design
- Become a Web Designer: Lynda.com. Online.
- Beginners HTML5. Online.
- Web Design: CompuScholar. Online.
- Computer Programming
- Computer Programming: Khan Academy. Online.
- Java Programming. Online.
- Become a Programmer: Lynda.com. Online.
- Graphic Design
- Become a Graphic Designer: Lynda.com. Online.
- Fundamentals of Graphic Design: Coursera. Online.
- Computer Repair
- Become an IT Support Technician: Lynda.com. Online.
- Robotics
- Introduction to Robotics: Stanford Engineering Everywhere.
- Introduction to Robotics: MIT OpenCourseWare. Online.
- LEGO Mindstorm EV3. Online.
- Audio Engineering
- Become a Recording Engineer: Lynda.com. Online.
- Broadcasting
Languages
- Sign Language
- ASL University. Online.
- ASL Adventures: Schoolhouse Teachers. Online. Christian.
- Start ASL. Online or DVD.
- French
- Breaking the Barrier Homeschool French. Print + CD.
- Niveaux Chemins French 1. Abeka. Print. Christian.
- Core French 9. Virtual High School. Online. 🍁
- The ULAT. Online. Try first 15 lessons free. Immersion based.
- Spanish
- Spanish 1: Schoolhouse Teachers. Online. Christian.
- LIFEPAC Spanish 1: AlphaOmega. Print. Christian.
- The ULAT. Online. Try first 15 lessons free. Immersion based.
- Japanese
- Latin
- Wheelock’s Latin. Print.
- Latin Courses from Tree of Life At Home. Print. Christian. 🍁
- Beginning Latin: Schoolhouse Teachers. Online. Christian.
- Latin: The Lukion Project. Online. Christian.
Rosetta Stone offers language lessons for many different languages.
Trades
- Carpentry
- Carpentry: Christian Light Education. Print. Christian.
- Exploring Woodworking: Christian Light Education. Print. Christian.
- Electricity
- Modern Residential Wiring: Christians Light Education. Print. Christian.
- Electrical Studies: Alison.com. Online.
- Plumbing
- Plumbing Courses: Alison.com. Online.
- Cosmetology
- Landscaping & Horticulture
- Introducing Horticulture: Christian Light Education. Print. Christian.
- Horticulture Foundations. Online.
- Pathways to Horticulture. Online.
- Automotive / Mechanics
- Auto Upkeep. Print or Online.
- CrankinEngines. (Small Engine Repair) Print/Video.
- Auto Fundamentals: Christian Light Education. Print. Christian.
- Auto Upkeep: Christian Light Education. Print. Christian.
- Small Engine & Equipment Maintenance: Christian Light Education. Print. Christian.
- Small Gas Engines: Christian Light Education. Print. Christian.
Character and Skills For Home And Careers. Print or Digital Download. (Multiple Subjects)
Language & Literature
- Speech / Public Speaking
- Public Speaking: Thinkwell. Online.
- Public Speaking (Introduction): Schoolhouse Teachers. Online. Christian.
- Advanced Public Speaking: Schoolhouse Teachers. Online. Christian.
- Media Studies
- Media Literacy: Oak Meadow. Print.
- Media Studies: Virtual High School. Online. 🍁
- Literature From Different Countries
- North American Literature: Tree of Life At Home. Print. Christian. 🍁
- American Literature: Oak Meadow. Print.
- LIFEPAC American Literature: AlphaOmega. Print. Christian.
- British Literature: Tree of Life At Home. Print. Christian. 🍁
- British Literature: Oak Meadow. Print.
- LIFEPAC British Literature: Alpha Omega. Print. Christian.
- Mythology
- Classical Mythology: Schoolhouse Teachers. Online. Christian.
- MythologyTeacher.com. Digital Download & Print.
- Journalism
- Journalism Basics. Print.
- Byline Writing. Online Streaming or DVD + Print.
- Creative Writing
- Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy Lectures. Videos.
- One Year Adventure Novel. Online Streaming or DVD + Print.
Science
- Astronomy
- Physics: From StarGazers to Starships. Online.
- Experiencing Astronomy. Online. Christian.
- LIFEPAC Astronomy: Alpha Omega. Print. Christian.
- Classical Astronomy. Print. Christian.
- Veterinarian Science
- Friendly Anatomy: Schoolhouse Teachers. Online. Christian.
- Animal Science 1. Online.
- Veterinarian Science 1. Online.
- Meteorology
- Geology
- Oceanography
- Marine Biology: Tree of Life At Home. Print. Christian. 🍁
- Oceanography: Easy Peasy High School. Online. Christian.
- Marine Science 101: Ocean First Education. Online.
- Zoology
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Science For a Changing World: Oak Meadow. Print.
- AP Environmental Science: Study.com. Online.
- Anatomy
- Advanced Biology – Human Anatomy: Tree of Life At Home. Print. Christian. 🍁
- Anatomy: Guest Hollow. Online.
- Precepts of Anatomy & Physiology. Print.
- Fascinating Anatomy & Physiology. Online.
- Anatomy & Physiology: Easy Peasy High School. Online. Christian.
- Paleontology
- Dino 101: Dinosaur Paleobiology: Coursera. Online.
The most important word, in my mind, is the word “proactive”. In a nutshell, I think being proactive in many areas can help ensure success as you navigate high school at home. READ MORE.
Social Studies
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Homeschool Psychology. Online. Christian.
- Psychology: Oak Meadow. Print.
- Introduction to Psychology From a Christian Perspective: 7 Sisters Homeschool. Digital Download. Christian.
- Law
- Understanding Canadian Law: Blyth Academy. Online. 🍁
- Canada & International Law: Blyth Academy. Online. 🍁
- Political Science
- Canadian & World Politics. Blyth Academy. Online. 🍁
- World Religions
- World Religions and Belief Traditions: Blyth Academy. 🍁
- Religions of the World: Oak Meadow. Print.
- Worldviews, World Religions, & Cults: Schoolhouse Teachers. Online. Christian.
- Apologetics
- Advanced Apologetics: Schoolhouse Teachers. Online. Christian.
- Old Testament / New Testament Survey
- New Testament Survey: Tree of Life At Home. Print. Christian. 🍁
- Old Testament Survey: Tree of Life At Home. Print. Christian. 🍁
- Church History
- Church History: Tree of Life At Home. Print. Christian.
- History of Christianity: Schoolhouse Teachers. Online. Christian.
- Indigenous Studies
- Indigenous Canada: Coursera. Online. 🍁
- Civics
- Canadian Civics: Creating History. Print or Digital Download. Christian. 🍁
- Civics & Citizenship: Blyth Academy. Online. 🍁
- Civics & Citizenship: Virtual High School. Online. 🍁
- World Cultures
- Current Events
- Government Studies
- Archaeology
- Classical Archaeology: Schoolhouse Teachers. Online. Christian.
Physical Education
- Team Sports
- Lifeguarding
- Any physical sport activity – archery, martial arts, weightlifting, running, golf, swimming, etc.
Other
- Career Studies
- Career Studies: Blyth Academy. Online. 🍁
- Career Study & Work Co-op Course: Tree of Life At Home. Print. Christian. 🍁
- Career Exploration: Schoolhouse Teachers. Online. Christian.
- Career Exploration: 7Sisters Homeschool. Digital Download. Christian.
- Career Studies: Virtual High School. Online. 🍁
- Designing Your Future: Virtual High School. Online. 🍁
- Hospitality / Tourism
- Tourism Studies: Alison.com. Online.
- Debate & Critical Thinking
- Practical Critical Thinking. Print.
- The Art of Argument. Print & Video. Christian.
- Philosophy
- Philosophy & Ethics: Schoolhouse Teachers. Online. Christian.
- Philosophy – The Big Questions: Virtual High School. Online. 🍁
- Classical Philosophy & Logic: The Lukion Project. Online. Christian.
- Philosophy Adventure. Print or Digital Download. Christian.
Hopefully this list will give you some ideas of what you can learn during your high school years. Don’t feel trapped by the usual. When considering what to include as high school electives, consider your child’s interests and curiosity as well as their dreams and hopes for the future.
A specific number of hours of volunteer work
If a group can get together, the Blanket exercise to understand the history of the First Nations’ peoples and the effects of the Settlers on them
This is such a great list! Thank you for putting it together. Definitely saving it for later.