High School Electives for Homeschoolers: A Huge Resource List

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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.

High School Student with Text Books - High School Electives
High School Student by BillionPhotos.com on BigStockPhoto.com

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

Life Skills

Need Help Planning High School? High School Planner

Business

Technology

Languages

Rosetta Stone offers language lessons for many different languages.

Trades

Character and Skills For Home And Careers. Print or Digital Download. (Multiple Subjects)

Language & Literature

Science

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

Physical Education

  • Team Sports
  • Lifeguarding
  • Any physical sport activity – archery, martial arts, weightlifting, running, golf, swimming, etc.

Other

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.

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5 thoughts on “High School Electives for Homeschoolers: A Huge Resource List”

  1. Diane Martin

    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

    Reply
  3. Sam

    Hello!

    Just wondering if anyone could clarify, these websites/programs could count as a high school credit? if I, for example, take the online woodworking class, or a Canadian law program, I would be able to show it to a collage/university in my transcript as a homeschool student?

    Reply
    1. Lisa Marie

      Please note though: I don’t have first hand experience of applying to post-secondary as a homeschooler, so I can only tell you what I know based on discussions and experiences of other homeschoolers.

      A general guideline for a high school credit is that it’s somewhere between 110-120 hours of work – that’s lessons, assignments, and application time. Yes, you can add these to your homeschool transcript, but keep track of the programs used. It will be up to the school you are applying to if they will accept the credit or not.

      I hope that helps.

      Reply

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