Homeschooling is one of the most promising educational options, as parents can teach their children on their own terms and have the opportunity to customize their child's learning based on their needs, foster a love of learning, and choose the best homeschool curriculum for their own children.
While it offers many advantages, parents often wonder about costs. Is homeschooling expensive compared to traditional schooling? Is it affordable for your family? Ultimately, when it all comes down to it, is homeschooling worth the cost?
We are excited to announce our new series: Sonlight Spotlight. Each month the Sonlight team will choose a current family to highlight by sharing their #sonlightstories. If you’d like to shine a light on your family, apply here for a chance to be featured.
Meet the Knouff Family!
Patrick and Kendra Knouff, along with their three children Josiah (6), Judah (4), and Joshua (1), live in Washington state and have been using Sonlight curriculum since 2020. They are currently working through Sonlight’s All-Subjects A program.
When Josiah was born, Kendra and Patrick made the decision not to enroll him in traditional public schooling and began their quest to find an alternative option.
“We started praying about school options as soon as our first son was born. Our state had begun changing policies, and we knew we weren't comfortable with where the culture was headed,” mom and primary homeschool teacher, Kendra stated. “I had been praying that God would open the door financially for private school to be a reality, but the more I researched homeschooling, the more I felt drawn to the opportunity to invest in my children through their education.”
Homeschooling is more than academics.
When they decided homeschooling was the right choice, the Knouff family wanted to focus on more than academic instruction.
“Sonlight stood out because of the Biblical foundation and worldview it provided—putting a strong emphasis on truly knowing God and His word and cultivating a living relationship with Him. The incredible literature that is included and the celebration of diversity and cultures around the world were so important to us. As a biracial family, we really wanted to incorporate diverse learning materials.”
“Sonlight’s curriculum provides our family with such a high quality education while still giving us the benefits of homeschooling that we were so excited about.” —Kendra Knouff
With working parents and three active sons at home, finding and sticking to a routine infused with creative fun like picture books, motions to help retain memory verses, time spent in nature, and Read-Alouds during meals, the Knouffs have been able to thrive with Sonlight.
“Everything is completely planned for me! As a busy mom and first time homeschooler, the idea of curating curriculum felt very overwhelming. I LOVED that the hard work was done for me, and then I could just tailor it to our family.”
Dads Can Homeschool too.
Although Kendra does most of the homeschool heavy lifting, dad Patrick loves to be involved as much as possible. He says, “I can be a part of this. If they were going to public school or a private school, it would all be happening there. [With homeschooling], I get to watch them connect the dots on ideas. I’m there to see progression and watch my kids learn, and that’s something I wouldn’t get to do with traditional school. I can offer my perspective on things and maybe unlock struggles. It’s really cool to be part of the process.”
One of the Knouffs’ favorite aspects of homeschooling with Sonlight is knowing they can teach their kids at home and provide their children with everything they need to succeed.
According to Patrick, “There’s flexibility. You have the power to change things. Any parent that wants to and puts in the effort is really going to be able to provide their kids with an awesome education.”
The Knouff boys love Sonlight science, and their favorite books include:
Josiah and Judah love audiobooks with fun voices, acting out the stories, and to them the best thing about homeschooling is, “That my mom is my teacher.”
You can learn more about the Knouff family’s Sonlight experience by listening to their full interview on the Sonlight Connections podcast.
Shortly before the pandemic, my missionary family was in the States visiting our supporting churches. One Sunday we were driving home from church and my 12-year-old son said, “Are all American kids like that?” There was nothing particularly wrong with the kids and teens at that church, but I had noticed how different they were from my children. My TCKs (third-culture kids) felt very out of place in a culture that was so different from the cultures in which they have been raised.
Earlier in my homeschooling journey I might have been concerned that they didn’t fit in. Now I understand that my job as their mother and teacher is not to make sure that they fit in, but that they love God, love others, know who they are in Christ, and have a well-rounded education.
Their homeschool education should train them to be well-equipped to use their skills, abilities, and knowledge for God’s glory.
Homeschooling TCKs can be a unique challenge, but with a bit of extra thought and planning–and a great deal of prayer–it is absolutely doable!
Here are eight tips I have gleaned from other experienced TCK homeschoolers as well as my own 14 years of living abroad and homeschooling three TCKs.
1. Learn the Local Language, Culture, and History
It is important that your TCKs have the opportunity to learn the language, culture, and history not only of their passport country* but of their host country**.
Learn from the nationals! The best case scenario would be where your kids are able to learn the language and culture organically from interacting with national friends. Even if this is not possible in your situation, you can usually find a local willing to tutor your children.
Rosetta Stone language learning software is available in many languages.
Sonlight’s study of countries in the Eastern Hemisphere is an excellent resource.
*Passport country: the country where you hold citizenship, but not necessarily where you live
**Host country: a country where you are not a citizen but where you live as a guest or foreign worker
2. Encourage Electives in the Community
Are there local sports that your TCK could be involved in for P.E.? Could they take a class in First Aid or learn an indigenous instrument from a national? Your high school TCK may even be able to do an apprenticeship with a tailor, welder, or repair person. Be creative!
3. Celebrate and Study Your Passport Country
Many TCKs have a hard time connecting to their passport country because they have spent so little time there. Make it a point to intentionally study the history of your passport country in your homeschool. Sonlight American History is an excellent resource for American TCKs.
Also help your TCKs learn about and celebrate the holidays of your passport country. My family lives in Cambodia, and our team of missionaries gets together each November for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner and each July 4th for a cookout and games. These get-togethers allow our kids to celebrate these holidays that are unique to the United States with other Americans.
We also read books about the first Thanksgiving, Martin Luther King Jr., etc. Sonlight also has fantastic, Biblically based unit studies for Christmas/Advent and Easter. Understanding and celebrating American holidays even when abroad will help your TCKs feel better connected when they eventually return to their passport country.
4. Get Family and Friends Involved
Having extended family get involved in homeschooling can help your TCKs not feel quite so far away from those they love and miss. Some ideas for this include
Have a grandparent read read-alouds over a video call.
Have a family member teach writing or another class that can be taught online.
Call cousins so they can share with each other what they learned that week.
Take videos of your TCK reciting poetry, Scripture, or giving oral presentations, and share them with family.
5. Plan Ahead
Since international families rarely have access to libraries or other resources in English, it's necessary to to plan your curriculum a few years in advance. A big reason why I chose Sonlight is so we would have a growing library of living books in English. That choice has served us incredibly well over the years.
6. Keep Continuity
For many TCKs, life is defined by change. While most TCKs learn to handle that with grace, it is still a challenge. We as their parents can help provide some stability by keeping continuity in homeschooling. What might that look like?
Stick with One Curriculum
My children know that wherever they are and whatever transitions they may be going through, school will stay the same. That continuity brings a sense of peace, especially for those TCKs who have a harder time with change.
Homeschool Year-round
This looks different for almost every family, but I have found that it brings a great deal of stability to families that go this route.
7. Help TCKs Develop in All Areas
It can be easy to think that if your TCKs are doing well academically, they are also doing well in other areas, but that is not necessarily true. Luke 2:52 points out that young Jesus “increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” Like Jesus, your TCKs need to grow not only academically, but emotionally, physically, spiritually, and socially.
It can be a challenge for non-TCK parents to know how to help TCKs in these areas, but the books listed below are some great resources for learning to understand and better guide your TCKs in these areas.
Links to these books on Amazon are affiliate links.
There are also several novels and biographies that can be beneficial for TCKs listed in this article.
8. Be Deliberate about Socialization
TCKs live life between cultures and naturally gravitate toward others in the same situation. They can be a great help and encouragement to one another. Even if you live hours apart, make it a priority to get together every few months with other TCKs at these kinds of events:
Co-op events
Music or speech recitals
Science fairs or labs
Birthday and holiday parties
Field trips to local historical sites
And of course, making friends in your passport country is important as well. By the time my family left the States a few months ago, my son had made connections with other American kids and learned that a lot of American 12-year-olds do enjoy soccer and LEGO bricks like he does, and not all of them are girl-crazy! As my family follows the above tips in our homeschooling journey, my prayer is that both my son and his sisters will continue to grow in their understanding and appreciation of both America and the country in which we serve, and that they will be well-equipped to use their unique skills, abilities, and knowledge for God’s glory.
Connect with other likeminded homeschoolers wherever you are! Get the Sonlight app.
Deciding to homeschool through high school is a great choice. However, it can be confusing thinking about high school homeschool graduation requirements. What do you need to graduate? How do you graduate if you’re homeschooled? Do homeschoolers get a diploma?
Keep in mind that each state has its own specific graduation requirements, but there is also general knowledge helpful for homeschool parents and potential graduates.
As you navigate homeschool graduation diploma requirements for your child, you may begin wondering if you have enough information. Whether you are homeschooling high school for the first time or you have a middle schooler quickly approaching high school, today we will look at some of the most important considerations regarding homeschool graduation requirements.
How Do You Graduate High School If You're Homeschooled?
Knowing your state's homeschool laws is extremely important. Just as each state has its own homeschool laws, each state also has its own set of requirements. HSLDA is an excellent resource for discovering what your state’s homeschool laws are. Armed with those details, you can make a 4-year plan of study that makes the most sense for your high schooler.
The HSLDA website’s color-coded map indicates how strict that state’s homeschooling requirements are. For example, in one of the more strict states, Pennsylvania, the requirements are as follows:
Option 1: Homeschooling under the homeschool statute.
Option 2: Homeschooling with a private tutor.
Option 3: Enrolling your child in a satellite of a religious day school.
Option 4: Enrolling your child in a satellite of an accredited day or boarding school.
In one of the less strict states, Nevada, their requirements are as follows:
English (including reading, composition, and writing),
Math,
Science, and
Social Studies (including history, geography, economics, and government).
Homeschool high school graduation requirements do vary a lot by state, so make this your starting point for any decisions you make about working towards homeschool graduation.
What Tests Do Homeschoolers Take To Graduate?
How do you get your high school diploma if you’re homeschooled? There is no nationwide test that’s required to earn a high school diploma or homeschool graduation certificate, although some states may require standardized testing during the high school years. A homeschool student can simply follow the high school requirements by state in order to graduate.
Grade point average (GPA) is a common way to grade in high school that combines grades from all classes into a single score. Do homeschoolers have a GPA? There are many different ways to grade your student’s work, and they are all acceptable. For more in-depth help on the various methods for giving grades read A Homeschooler's Guide to Giving Grades.
Homeschool Graduation Requirements: Guidance By State
If you’re wondering who makes the graduation requirements, it’s the state. Since university admissions can be one of the hardest parts of the high school experience, it can be helpful to follow the public school's suggested course for graduation. Below you will find an overview by state of high school graduation requirements.
While many homeschoolers dream of attending an Ivy League college, keep in mind that this is a very competitive aspiration. Homeschoolers are held to the same standards as other applicants. Harvard’s admission website outlines the requirements as such:
“There is no formula for gaining admission to Harvard. Academic accomplishment in high school is important, but the Admissions Committee also considers many other criteria, such as community involvement, leadership and distinction in extracurricular activities, and personal qualities and character. We rely on teachers, counselors, and alumni to share information with us about an applicant's strength of character, his or her ability to overcome adversity, and other personal qualities.”
So based on this explanation, it seems that yes, Harvard does accept homeschoolers.
Do Colleges Accept Homeschoolers?
Everyone’s homeschool journey is going to be different, but homeschooling does not need to be an obstacle to college! Yes, colleges accept homeschoolers. In fact, most colleges love homeschoolers! There are many more viable college choices beyond Harvard or other Ivy League schools.
While it is up to each state to help to determine high school graduation requirements, most colleges also have their own criteria. Some colleges also require placement testing, to test academic skills for each child.
In your exploration of the college admissions process, spend time highlighting the pros and cons of popular universities. Once your child has clarity surrounding their post-education goals, you will need to check the minimum requirements for high school graduates entering a particular school. Many homeschoolers find community colleges, technical schools, trade schools, or vocational schools to be wonderful considerations. They, too, are often excited to accept homeschoolers.
How Do Homeschoolers Get High School Credits?
There are several ways homeschool students can earn high school credits, including elective credits.
Create Your Own Homeschool High School Transcript
A homeschooler doesn’t need to go to a public high school or a private school to get a high school transcript. You, the homeschool parent, create the transcript for your senior. On it, you make a year-by-year listing of subjects covered during those high school years and the credit assigned for each course.
For instance, here are just a few you could list as high school courses:
When you look up the state's requirements, you can come up with a 4-year plan based on those requirements. Then, you can start the process of assigning credits for each course. Courses generally earn credit based on course content, minutes of instruction time, and the amount of coursework your student completed.
What should be included in the transcript?
Student and school information
Courses taken, credits earned, and grades received
What’s Another Way To Calculate Credit For Homeschooled High School Students?
A basic 150 hours of school a year. This also translates into 36 weeks of a 50 minute a day class.
What Percentage Of Homeschoolers Go On To College?
As a homeschooling family, you know homeschooling through high school offers many benefits.
But what benefits does homeschool offer for those headed to college? The percentage of homeschoolers who continue on to college is one. Because of the homeschool graduation requirements, the number does depend on which state your child is in.
But according to the study by Dr. Brian Ray, “74% of homeschool graduates aged 18 to 24 had taken at least some college classes while only 46% of the general population in that same age bracket had done the same.”
What about graduating early? Can you graduate faster in homeschool? The answer is yes! It does depend on the child and your homeschool structure, but it is possible. You can save a lot of time and energy by taking advantage of the flexibility that homeschooling offers.
How High School Graduation Requirements Have Changed
High school graduation requirements for homeschoolers have changed a lot in the last ten years. Ten years ago, if you did not meet the high school graduation requirements, you had to take the General Education Test (GED), a group of four tests that is essentially the equivalent of a high school diploma. Now there are other options according to the state in which you live.
It seems the previously rigid requirements surrounding high school graduation for homeschoolers have passed. Generally speaking, the requirements now reflect the desires of schools, teachers, and society to allow students to succeed while exploring their interests.
Meet Your High School Homeschool Graduation Requirements By Using Sonlight
At Sonlight, we are committed to providing high school students with a one-of-a-kind, robust personal learning experience all the way to high school graduation. We understand your needs regarding your child's high school education and have the most comprehensive, advanced high school curriculum that will meet your teen’s needs.
Sonlight also offers college prep courses that let upper-level students think critically and perform well on college entrance exams. In the process, they discover their interests, follow their dreams, and make a difference in their world. Advanced Placement (AP) courses are a great way to bridge the transition between homeschooling high school and college. We want every student to be fully prepared for college, the workplace, or any other profession or place God has called them to.
Let Sonlight guide you through these final years before your child becomes a homeschool high school graduate.
An HBL has two kinds of books: Read-Alouds that the parent reads to the children and Readers that are designed for children to read independently. When combining multiple children in one HBL, it’s easy to read Read-Alouds to the entire group, but Readers are a bit more complicated.
It is important to note that in HBL levels K, A, B, and C, the Readers are based on reading level. It is best if you place your child in the appropriate level based on reading skill, so you may have different readers because of this. Here you can give your child the reading assessment to find the appropriate see what reader level is best for your child.
Because I have three children in the same HBL using the same level of Readers, I have tried all of the following strategies.
1. Share Readers by Taking Turns or Creative Scheduling
Sharing Readers could be handled several different ways. Your children could alternate reading one paragraph out loud. By passing the book back and forth, they can share the book in real time.
Unfortunately, my kids cannot share a Reader simultaneously because they have different reading speeds and become frustrated. Instead, we use a Reader rotation that staggers reading time throughout the day.
My children work on each subject for about 20-30 minutes or until it is completed. If one child gets done before the other that is okay, they can work on other table work, draw, or have quiet free time.
Here is what our schedule looks like:
Time
Child 1
Child 2
Child 3
10:00-10:20
Reader
Chore or Co-op work
Math
10:20-10:40
Math
Reader
Chore or Co-op Work
10:40-11:00
Chore or Co-op work
Math
Reader
After each child finishes the Reader, I then go over the questions provided in the Instructor’s Guide to see what they remember. This quick verbal exchange with each child one-on-one confirms that they are comprehending the material.
The Instructor’s Guide is my lifeline in homeschooling multiple children! It not only keeps me on track with the schedule, but also provides vocabulary reinforcement, context, and open ended questions that can trigger great discussions. It really reduces the amount of prep time I need because everything is ready to go. I just have to flip to the Reader section, and everything is at my fingertips.
2. Swap the Order of the Readers
If two children are sharing the same HBL level, an easy way to share Readers is to adjust the reader schedule by simply flip flopping them. So for instance in HBL E if the next two books scheduled were Old Yeller and Turn Homeward, Hannalee, one child would read Old Yeller while the other read Turn Homeward, Hannalee. Then they would switch.
This strategy works really well for two children, but becomes more complicated when there are three or more. Flip flopping the books also works best with books of similar lengths.
3. Purchase Extra Copies of the Readers
If you find your children cannot share, or it becomes too much of a hassle adjusting the schedule, you can always purchase an extra set of readers. Sonlight makes it easy!
Unexpected Benefits of Sharing Readers
When my family first started sharing Readers, we had a little trouble because my children were fighting over who got to read the book first. Everyone would much rather read the fun books than do math. Once my children settled into the creative Reader schedule, things went much smoother, and I started noticing some unexpected benefits.
By combining your children into the same HBL, you are opening up the door for some great table discussions. For example, when my children read Om-Kas-Toe in HBL D, they had a great talk about how unfair it would have been if Tall Woman would not have gotten to keep both children because both girls and boys matter. Our family then was able to discuss how girls and boys are made in God’s image. This discussion all stemmed from sharing the same Readers.
Besides the great discussions, sharing Readers is just what it sounds like, an opportunity to share. It is an opportunity to practice patience as well, and none of us can ever get too good at either of those. My children are not only learning academic subjects together; they are also learning to work together. Combining your children may seem like more work at first, but it is well worth it!
Whether you homeschooled from kindergarten through high school or only for the last few years of high school, a homeschool graduation is an immensely rewarding and personal experience for both the student and parents. Like so many aspects of homeschooling, you get to tailor the graduation to your individual student, whether you have a ceremony, a party, or simply go on a meaningful trip together.
So how do you plan your homeschool graduation? Much the same way you would any graduation: send announcements, reflect on your student’s accomplishments, and get some good food. Here are homeschool graduation ideas to help you plan for this important milestone in your teen’s life.
1. Do Homeschoolers Have a Graduation Ceremony?
Yes, they do! But they also don’t have to. This is probably the first question to discuss with your senior, months before your homeschool graduation. Does your senior want a homeschool graduation ceremony and what options are available to you?
Why Is Having a Graduation Ceremony Important?
A graduation ceremony a special commemoration to honor both your graduate and yourself! You worked hard to be here, too. Your high school graduation ceremony doesn’t have to include speeches and walking across a stage if that doesn’t fit your style. But having an official moment to recognize all the hard work you and your graduate put in is an important act of closure to the homeschool journey.
What Are Some Homeschool Graduation Ceremony Ideas?
State/National Organization Ceremony: Some state or national homeschool groups put on a large homeschool graduation ceremony every year with commencement speakers and hundreds of participants. If you are willing to travel, you may be allowed to join even if you live in a different state. There is often a fee, but all the organization is taken care of.
Local Organization Ceremony: Sometimes local homeschool co-ops or organizations hold a homeschool graduation ceremony. Your ability to participate may depend on your being active in that group as a homeschooler.
Small Group Ceremony: A homeschool graduation ceremony can also be as simple as you and a few fellow homeschool families who join together to celebrate your graduates. Having friends involved can make a big difference in the day. Each family presents a diploma and has a short commemorative speech about their student. You could even get a local speaker to present a commencement address.
Individual Ceremony: Plenty of families hold a personalized ceremony for only their graduates. They gather friends and family at their home or another local venue and create a personalized celebration.
Family Night Out: Perhaps a ceremony of any sort is just not your family’s style. There’s no rule that you must have a ceremony. But even if you aren’t doing an event of any kind, you should still consider sending announcements and certainly create a diploma.
Once you find out what options are available to you, have an honest discussion with your senior to see how they would like to celebrate the occasion.
2. Should You Send Homeschool Graduation Announcements?
Always send announcements. Whether you have a full graduation ceremony, a quiet party, or take a family trip to the Grand Canyon to celebrate, you should absolutely send out announcements! Friends and family who supported you along the way should get to share in the celebration. And, let’s be honest, friends and family who didn’t support you along the way should get to see that you made it!
Announcements can be as simple as an ecard, but people are more likely to send back a graduation gift if they get an announcement in the mail. Including a photo of your graduate is always a nice touch that makes the announcement feel special even if you aren’t inviting them to an event.
3. Do You Need a Homeschool Graduation Diploma?
Yes, you need a diploma to graduate your homeschooled teen. Having a high school diploma is a requirement for many jobs and college applications, and even for being able to homeschool one’s own kids in some states. So it is definitely worth investing in an official-looking one. You can purchase one or find an online template and have it printed on good paper. Having a diploma to hand to your graduate, whether you have a ceremony or not, also gives a final sense of accomplishment.
Make sure you are familiar with your state’s homeschool laws so you include all the necessary information on the diploma: legal name of the student, name of the educational institution (your homeschool has a name, right?), city and state, etc.
4. Do You Need a Homeschool Graduation Cap and Gown?
Maybe, maybe not. Many graduates want a cap and gown for senior photos, even if they aren’t doing a walk-across-the-stage ceremony. If you aren’t doing an official ceremony, this is certainly up to you and your graduate. Your state or local homeschool group may be able to direct you in finding one, but cap and gowns tend to be abundantly available via online sources as they are a common photo prop.
5. Should There Be Speeches at a Homeschool Graduation?
For some people, speeches are the first element to cull from a homeschool graduation ceremony. For others, it’s what they remember most. One or two formal speeches are certainly expected if you have a classic Pomp and Circumstance-styled ceremony; if you have a small gathering at your house, a speech is not necessary.
Whether you have actual speeches or not, however, make sure you reflect on your graduate. Remember, a homeschool graduation is partly your success too! You, their teacher, got your student this far and pushed through many hurdles to see this day. Look back on the journey! That might be through a photo slideshow or a homeschool showcase rather than speeches, but make sure you do something that commemorates the journey you’ve both been on.
6. Should I Surprise My Graduate With a Ceremony or Party?
You can always pop one or two surprises, but graduations are personal and monumental; you should definitely consult your graduate about expectations. Don’t assume because you have fond memories of your high school graduation that your senior wants a similar experience.
For many homeschool students, there is no nostalgia associated with ceremonies, so they may not want to endure a full event with lots of expectations. That’s okay! Find another way to make your student feel special.
On the other hand, you may have a student who loves being the center of attention and dreams of walking across a stage to receive a diploma. It may be worth a drive or a full day dedicated to celebrating this momentous occasion. Give your senior space early in the senior year (or even before) to talk about what options you are capable of and comfortable with doing. Your teen may surprise you with what sounds appealing.
7. What If My Graduate Doesn’t Want a Ceremony?
Feel free to get creative! Yes, there is a lot of tradition and expectations that surround graduations, but isn’t family freedom one of the best perks of homeschooling? If your family likes tradition, you can absolutely create a classic high school graduation. But if you are more of a free-range family, there’s nothing but social expectations to disappoint.
Go on a parent-child trip.
Have a family bowling night.
Order your teen’s favorite takeout.
Go to an amusement park with close friends.
You can also absolutely have a graduation celebration that ignores the ceremony part.
8. How Do You Plan a Homeschool Graduation Party at Home?
You’ve decided you want the party. You’ve sent the announcements. You’ve picked a date. You’ve made your choice about a ceremony. Now you need homeschool graduation party ideas.
What Are Some Fun Things to Do at a Graduation Party?
Plan specific games. This is a great area to personalize to your graduate. Is she into sports? Set up mini golf or backyard volleyball. Does he like board games? Have several guests bring different board games to rotate through.
Tailor it to your graduate’s academic interests. Think outside the box for activities. Gather science experiment kits and divide into teams to see who can complete the project the fastest. Pick a favorite play or novel and do a dramatic reading, assigning parts to different guests. Set up a scavenger hunt where guests have to solve puzzles to find the next clue.
Have fun food. Teenagers tend to be all about snacks, and also all about not eating when they are told. Single-serving options are a great fix for this.
Make a memory station. This could be a photo booth to take pictures of the friends/family who came. It could also be a place with photos of your graduate’s favorite memories from their homeschool journey, or favorite projects, papers, or even books.
9. How Do You Host a Virtual Graduation and Make It Special?
If you have to go virtual for your graduation celebration, there are still ways to make it special and run smoothly.
Set expectations with guests ahead of time. Will there be a schedule to the party? Should they come prepared to answer trivia questions or to play a virtual game?
Ask for guest submissions ahead of time. Someone will inevitably have tech trouble, so if you ask your guests to send favorite memories, or best life tips, etc., via email ahead of the party, you can read the submissions aloud instead of virtually passing the mic.
Still have snacks! If your guest list is small enough, you can send snacks to each guest ahead of time and tell them to have them handy. This can be as simple as a microwavable popcorn package or as unique as a ziplock of homemade treats. If this is impractical, suggest in the invitation that everyone have a favorite drink or snack handy during the party.
Play games. You can still play games virtually. Scattergories, trivia, charades, scavenger hunts (with common household items), and Would You Rather? are all great games that still get people laughing and engaging in a virtual setting.
Still reflect on your graduate. You can share a video or photo slideshow virtually and let everyone look back on what an amazing person your graduate has always been and is growing into.
10. What If I’m On a Tight Budget?
There are many ways to make your graduate feel special without having to break the bank. Even if you decide to do a party, you don’t have to follow every Pinterest idea out there.
Keep decorations to a minimum. Balloons are cheap and always festive! Not everything has to have the graduation year emblazoned on it.
Send ecard or social media announcements. Yes, the printed version is more formal, but you can send a few mailed announcements if you/your graduate really cares and then evite the rest.
Stick to one or two food items. No one goes to a graduation party expecting a feast. A few light refreshments are fine!
Plan games based on what you already have. Be that board games, dramatic readings, or scavenger hunts, it will be new to your guests and therefore a fun experience for your graduate.
Embrace small and intimate. You can send graduation announcements to all your extended family, but only invite a few of your graduate’s closest friends to the celebration.
In Short, Make This Milestone Personal
The best thing about homeschooling doesn’t stop with graduation. You can make it all about your individual student and what fits him/her. Plan the homeschool graduation that fits your family and your graduate.
