Homeschooling teens is a whole new ballgame compared to homeschooling younger kids. They’re inching closer to adulthood, and with that comes a desire for more independence and control. But don’t worry—they still need some supervision! Here are some tried-and-true tips for homeschooling teens that have worked for many parents.
1. Keep It Real
Let’s be honest—if your teen were in traditional school, they wouldn’t be learning non-stop from 9am to 3pm. Between moving from class to class, lunch breaks, chatting with friends during lessons, and general settling in, they’re not constantly in “learning mode.”
If you can get through a few solid learning goals each day, you’re winning. Remember, your role as a parent right now is more important than trying to play full-time teacher. Help your teen understand that they need to get some work done but let them take charge of their own schedule. Independent learning is the key here, so don’t try to turn your home into a mini classroom—it’ll just stress everyone out!
2. Use Online Tutorials
Sure, textbooks help, but let’s face it—teenagers aren’t going to be thrilled about cracking them open. Enter: YouTube. There are loads of awesome teacher-run channels, and if you tell your teen to study by watching a video, you’re a lot less likely to start a battle!
Focus on the basics like English, Math, and Science if they’re not into high school. But if they’ve started to focus on college entry, now’s a great time to get ahead. Check out the state graduation requirements they’re working with to make sure you’re covering the right content—each one is a little different.
3. Encourage Them to Explore New Skills
School’s important, but it’s not the only thing your teen should focus on. Help them find a project they’re passionate about. Whether it’s coding, cooking, or improving their drawing skills, picking something they genuinely enjoy will keep them motivated. Plus, it’ll mean less nagging from you!
There are endless options: maybe they want to learn how to build an app, develop a website, or get better at cooking (which, let’s be honest, might help you out too). They could also sign up for an online art course, or even take up touch typing to speed up future essays. Online courses are available for pretty much anything these days!
4. Take Care of Themselves
Being at home makes it harder to stay active, but there are so many fitness videos and apps available that it’s easy to add a little exercise to the day. If your teen isn’t the gym-loving type, try suggesting they film TikTok dances—they’ll get moving, and bonus: they’ll learn video editing too.
Social interaction is just as important. Teens are not usually shy about keeping in touch with friends, but parents can help make that easier by encouraging them to invite friends over, or to find fun hang out spots
5. Let Them Manage Their Time
Time management is a skill that’ll benefit your teen no matter what path they choose after high school—college, military, or straight into the workforce. Homeschooling gives them a chance to practice this without the intense pressure of “real-world” deadlines.
You can still give them a weekly schedule, but let them decide how to manage their workload. The order of assignments isn’t set in stone. As long as they finish everything by the end of the week, they’re good to go.
6. Be There for Them (But Don’t Hover)
Even though we all want our teens to be independent learners, they’re still going to need some guidance. A quick daily or weekly check-in can help keep them on track and make sure they’re not getting lost in their studies.
It also helps if you’re somewhat familiar with their subjects, so you can step in when needed. Your support can make all the difference in getting past rough spots in less-loved topics.
7. Support Their Passions
High school is the perfect time for teens to dive into their passions. If they’re really into something, let them earn elective credits by doing what they love! Whether it’s local sports, art classes, or even a homeschool co-op, providing them with opportunities to explore their interests is a game-changer.
If they try something for a while and realize it’s not for them, that’s okay! Every experience helps them grow and learn more about who they are. And sometimes, a passion project turns into a lifelong pursuit or even a career.
8. Get Them Involved in the Community
This is also a great time for teens to start giving back to the community. Volunteering is a fantastic way to get them involved and help them develop new skills. Look for opportunities that match their interests—whether it’s working at a local business, helping out at an animal shelter, or even getting involved in local politics.
Teens might grumble about it at first, but they often end up enjoying the experience more than they expect. Volunteering not only helps the community but also teaches teens valuable life lessons and helps them grow as individuals.
Homeschooling teens can be a challenge, but it’s also a chance to help them discover who they are and prepare for life beyond high school. With a mix of independence, guidance, and encouragement, you’ll set them up for success—both academically and personally!
