Have you decided to homeschool your child in ninth grade but feel overwhelmed about the resources to use? Homeschooling provides the perfect option for a customized education because each student has unique needs and interests. Throughout the elementary and junior high levels, I generally use the same resources for all my children, adjusting the curriculum slightly here and there by adding or removing materials as necessary. At the ninth grade level, I use a mixture of textbooks, workbooks, and online programs. Below find the descriptions of our year one high school courses along with links to printable syllabi that include a Course Description, Objectives, Materials, Assignments, Grading, and Calendar for each course. Also find a downloadable sample high school transcript.
I began homeschooling my oldest daughter in the fall of 2014 a few months before she turned 3. Since that time, my family has grown to four children, with an age gap of ten years between the oldest and the youngest. After two years of preschool, I transition my children to kindergarten around age 5 and then spend roughly the next year on that grade level. First grade begins around age 6, second grade around age 7, third grade around age 8, and so on until beginning eighth grade around age 13. We complete more formal school work four days a week over approximately 180 days of instruction each year, finishing each grade in roughly 42 weeks. Field trips and additional lessons and camps also contribute to our education experience. (Note: My oldest completed Geometry a year early because she was so far ahead in math. My second will likely begin, if not complete, Geometry during his eighth grade year as well. I thus include Geometry as a math credit on Year 1 of our high school transcripts.)
Because my children typically complete each grade level before their next birthdays and ahead of the public school schedule, we begin high school a year before high school usually begins in the public school setting. I want my children to graduate in the May after their eighteenth birthday instead of early, so I plan for five years of high school. Each year includes a minimum of six credits (usually six classes) for a minimum total of thirty high school credits. Even though we homeschool, I do roughly follow the Illinois graduation requirements from the Illinois State Board of Education but require slightly more than the minimum. I require four years of language arts including a writing-intensive English course and a grammar course, two years of writing-intensive courses with one year covered by the writing-intensive English course, four years of mathematics including geometry, one year of computer literacy, four years of science with a minimum of two years of laboratory science, four years of social science including two years of American history and one year of civics, two years of foreign language, and two years of physical education. The remaining nine to eleven courses are elective in nature.
Originally published on July, 9 2026. Updated on July, 9 2026.
Geometry
Geometry provides students with the opportunity to build on the foundational concepts of Algebra 1, guiding students through geometric principles and deductive reasoning essential for success in higher-level mathematics. Designed to deepen the understanding of spatial relationships, logic, and mathematical proof in preparation for Algebra 2 and beyond, the course covers a broad spectrum of topics, including deductive reasoning, the properties of lines and angles, triangle congruence, and the study of quadrilaterals. Students also explore transformations, similarity, and right triangle trigonometry—including the Law of Sines and Cosines—alongside the properties of circles, concurrence theorems, and the measurement of regular polygons and geometric solids. Each chapter offers a combination of theoretical understanding and practical problem-solving skills to ensure students are well-equipped with the geometric tools necessary for advanced studies in mathematics as well as practical problem-solving skills applicable in real-world situations.
Algebra 2
Algebra 2 provides students with the opportunity to build on the foundational concepts of Algebra 1 and Geometry, guiding students through advanced algebraic topics essential for success in higher-level mathematics. Designed to deepen the understanding of mathematical relationships, functions, and equations in preparation for pre-calculus and beyond, the course covers a broad spectrum of topics, including equations and inequalities, linear and quadratic functions, systems of equations, polynomials, and complex numbers. Students also explore exponential and logarithmic functions, rational expressions, conic sections, sequences, series, and trigonometry. Each chapter offers a combination of theoretical understanding and practical problem-solving skills to ensure students are well-equipped with the algebraic tools necessary for advanced studies in mathematics as well as practical problem-solving skills applicable in real-world situations.
Biology (Lab)
Biology provides students with the opportunity to acquire a comprehensive understanding of life, from molecular biology to ecosystems. Students explore essential concepts including organism growth, cellular structures, energy flow, genetics, and natural selection alongside advanced topics like biochemistry, gene regulation, and evolution. The curriculum includes videos, readings, exercises, quizzes, and tests, covering key areas such as cell biology, genetics, ecology, and human impacts on biodiversity. In addition to theoretical knowledge, students engage in hands-on lab activities conducted at home with minimal materials. These practical experiments focus on osmosis, cellular respiration, photosynthesis, and biodiversity surveys, enhancing real-world understanding of biological processes.
Grammatical Structure of the English Language
Grammatical Structure of the English Language provides students with the opportunity to acquire an objective understanding the grammar of the English language as used without value judgements. Designed to empower students with a practical understanding of grammar, the course covers English morphology and syntax, approaching the description of English grammar through two frameworks: the Form-Function Method and Construction Grammar. Students study the grammatical forms of English words, phrases and clauses and the grammatical functions of the forms. Each of the nineteen chapters concludes with detailed workbook questions that reinforce comprehension. Students complete the course with a final project that demonstrates a comprehensive grasp of English grammar, synthesizing the knowledge acquired and illustrating practical application.
Food and Nutrition (Lab)
Food and Nutrition provides students with the opportunity to acquire an understanding of the role of nutrition in health and wellness and to develop practical food preparation, nutrition, and consumer skills. The course covers wellness and nutrition, food shopping skills, food handling and preparation skills, and mealtime management. Each of the eight units culminates in a final review project. Students additionally develop practical skills through the preparation of a variety of recipes.
Physical and Health Education
Physical and Health Education provides students with the opportunity to develop skills in cardiovascular, strength, and flexibility activities that help maintain fitness throughout life and to learn about the human life cycle and personal health care. The course combines physical and health education and covers fitness goals, exercise, health during the life cycle, and personal health and hygiene. Students complete at least four hours of exercise per week. The course culminates in a final project that demonstrates the knowledge learned about physical and health education.
