Well, friends, here we are. With Mister headed into his senior year, that means Sister is hot on his heels headed into her junior year. Which means we are headed into another exciting homeschool year, and I can hardly believe our daughter is entering 11th grade. Wasn’t it just yesterday that we were learning to read with all the books about animals and doing science experiments that involved vinegar, baking soda, and a very brave kitchen counter? Time flies when you’re homeschooling passionate, determined, and wonderfully unique learners. And this year? It’s going to be one for the books!
Whether you’re mapping out your own teen’s journey or just peeking behind the curtain at what high school looks like in our home, I hope this gives you encouragement, ideas, and maybe even a few smiles.
So let’s dive in! Here’s what 11th grade looks like for our daughter in 2025…
11th Grade Plans for 2025-2026
Dual Enrollment
This fall, our daughter will be dipping her toes into the dual enrollment world in two locations. She’ll be taking a class at our local community college on campus, and she’s excited (and maybe a tiny bit nervous) to tackle it. She’ll also be taking a couple of enrolled online courses at dual enrollment student at Life Pacific University. It’s her first foray into college-level classes, so she is starting off with just one class at each this fall. We love that dual enrollment lets her earn both high school and college credit at the same time. It’s not just about academics—it’s about confidence, growth, and discovering where her God-given gifts can shine. And, if all goes as well as we think it will, she’ll enroll in an additional class at each in the Spring also.
She specifically asked to do dual enrollment at Life Pacific University, a faith-based college that lines up beautifully with her (and our family’s) faith and values. She eventually wants to enroll at LPU’s east campus in Virginia. I know taking classes through LPU is going to bless her deeply. We want her education to be more than just facts and figures. We want her to know how to think deeply, love well, and walk confidently in her faith. Learning from other ministry leaders will help her do just that.
Here’s a look at what she’ll be taking at each:
Psychology 101 (3 credits) – Fall semester locally
This course will provide a basic examination of behavioral, cognitive, psychoanalytic, humanistic and biological viewpoints in psychology. It will include learning principles and applications, perception, motivation, emotions, stress, psychobiology, personality, abnormal behavior and approaches to therapy. (CORE 42)
In other words, it will be a basic overview of psychology. She has read bits and pieces of a college-level psychology book on her own because she is interested in it, and this class is a prequesite for the Child Development class that she wants to take, so she is taking it first. She’s been talking about working with children since she was little, and this course required to get to the next course, and the Child Development course is where she wants to be, so Psych 101 it is.
Human Growth & Development (3 credits) – Spring semester locally
Our 10th-grade plans included a Child Development class at home. Well, the best intentions were had, but you know what they say about the best intentions. We did portions of the the plan, and read portions of the books, but it wasn’t nearly what she wanted, so spring will bring an actual Human Growth & Development course from the local community college. I looked for a child development class at a co-op or even at a local high school that she could take, and couldn’t find one. So, it’s off to the college she goes.
Foundations of Ministry (3 credits) – LPU
She plans to go into ministry of some sort later on, and this will be a foundational for her. LPU describes this class as follows:
Defines the nature and function of the church from a Spirit-filled perspective. The course introduces and examines historical models of ministry from the early church to present day, as well as a focus on church health, while examining Biblical passages related to the church, including its ministers and ministries.
As for spring, we’re still prayerfully considering which course she’ll take next. The possibilities include:
Intro to Biblical Literature (3 credits, 8 weeks)
LPU describes this course as:
A broad overview of the Old & New Testaments designed as an entrance into God’s Scriptures. Emphasis is given to the unfolding story of God’s kingdom as it concerns the redemption of the entire Creation. Accordingly, students will engage in spiritual formation exercises informed by their study to become more faithful participants in this narrative.
Biblical Interpretation & Application (3 credits, 8 weeks)
According to LPU’s course description:
This course includes the study of (1) the general hermeneutical approach of grammatical-historical interpretation and (2) the inductive Bible study method, including practical assignments and application of biblical truth to the student’s personal life and ministry.
Spiritual Disciplines (3 credits, 16 weeks)
LPU describes this course as:
A study of the biblical principles that Christ employed in training His disciples. Practical guidelines are offered to identify Christ-like character and accomplish personal discipleship transformation, including an introduction to spiritual direction as an art and discipline for personal spiritual transformation and mentoring others; group participation is required of students.
The idea of her tackling a 3-credit course in 8 weeks makes me super nervous with her learning differences. That said, we’re confident that whatever classes she takes will build her up for whatever God has planned. These classes are going to build a solid foundation for wherever God leads her next.
“Don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.” Hebrews 13:16 (NLT)
11th Grade Math
It’s never too early to learn about budgeting, saving, and giving. This year, she’ll work through a Personal Finance course from Power Homeschool. The course is designed specifically for high schoolers. She will learn to make informed financial decisions. The course covers real-world topics, including income, money management, credit, as well as saving and investing. She will have the opportunity to explore concepts such as budgeting, checking and saving accounts, and investment options. She’ll also learn about sound practices in the areas of finance, debt, risk management, taxes, and credit management. We want her to know how to handle money well, not just for herself, but so she can live generously and wisely. The course she’s using is not faith based, but we of course will discuss things from a faith lens.
“The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.” Psalm 24:1 (NKJV)
Money is a tool, not a goal. We’re teaching her to steward it with purpose and peace.
11th Grade Science
We don’t currently have plans for science. We’ll see how the year shapes up. We may add one, we may not. She has technically fulfilled her science requirements, but we may add an online science course through Power Homeschool to round out a third credit since she is college-bound.
11th Grade Grammar/Composition
This year, we’re diving into Jensen’s Format Writing and Jensen’s Punctuation. These classic resources are straightforward and thorough. We used them with Mister previously and honestly, I love how they build strong, practical writing skills without making it feel like a slog. Sister has previously used a combination of
Our girl is a creative thinker. She has thoughts worth putting on paper, and Jensen’s guides will help her do just that, clearly, confidently, and with good punctuation to boot. (Because every writer needs a comma ally, am I right?)
11th Grade Social Studies
This year’s history and social studies focus is world geography. We’re using Power Homeschool as a base and learning how people adapt, manage resources, and shape cultures across global regions. Of course, she’ll learn how geography maps our world: latitude and longitude, map reading, and the global hemispheres. But it will go beyond that into population trends, cultural landscapes, economic systems, migration, and urban development; regional studies, cultural practices, economic realities, and environmental concerns.
Because we have friends as missionaries all over the world, we’ll sprinkle conversations about their concerns along the way. Because when you learn about the world, you start to see just how big God is, and just how valuable every person is.
10th Grade Electives
Choir and Drama
Now for the fun part, and I do mean fun! She’ll continue her involvement in Concert Choir and Chamber Choir, which bring music, teamwork, and joy into her week. And yes, Drama is back again this year, and she couldn’t be happier about it. She had to take a year off of drama last year, and she missed it sorely. She adores the creative outlet and the space to grow in confidence. Plus, I’ll admit it, I love watching her light up on stage. These aren’t just electives. They’re spaces where she shines, connects, and grows. Her personality and character have developed so much through choir and drama, and I love the person she has become through the friendships she has developed through them.
Tutoring Support
As always, we’re building this year with her learning differences in mind. She’ll continue working with her private tutor and also receive district-provided tutoring. These supports are vital, not because she can’t succeed without them, but because they help her succeed on her own terms. Every child’s learning journey looks different. Some paths are smooth. Others wind a little more. But we’re walking this one together, step by step, hand in hand. If you’ve ever felt like your child learns “differently,” I want you to hear this loud and clear: Different isn’t less. It’s just different. And sometimes, it’s downright beautiful. She’s had the same private tutor since she was seven years old, and Ms. Dawn is a part of our lives and our family. I don’t think we could have homeschooled without her.
I’ll be honest: 11th grade is no joke. It’s a big year. I discovered that with my son. There are transcripts, big goals, and late-night pep talks. There are moments when the planner is full, the brain is tired, and grace is the only thing holding us together.
But friend, that’s where God shows up! In the messy middles and hard-fought victories.
This year is about watching our daughter become who God made her to be. It’s about discovering passions, developing grit, and growing in grace. It’s about seeing her face light up when she understands something that used to be hard, or when she gets that email saying she’s doing well in her college class. Or when her tutor says she reached a goal that she worked hard for.
“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6 (NKJV)
If you’re also homeschooling a teen, or thinking about it, can I just take a moment to tell you something?
You’re doing better than you think. Every mid-year curriculum choice (we’ve quit quite a few midstream when we discovered that they didn’t work), every schedule tweak, every meeting with a tutor or tearful chat at the kitchen table, it matters. It’s sowing seeds. And God is faithful to bring the harvest.
Our job isn’t to have it all figured out. Our job is to show up, pray hard, and trust that God is leading the way.
What’s Next?
We’ll keep showing up. Coffee in one hand, planner in the other. We’ll celebrate the little wins, laugh through the chaos, and take breaks when we need to. We’ll keep walking this path with eyes on Jesus, knowing He’s already gone ahead of us.
And when graduation day comes, Lord willing, in just a couple of short years, we’ll look back and see His hand in every late night, every tutor session, every drama rehearsal, and every choir concert.
But for now, we’ve got one beautiful year ahead of us. Here’s to a year of learning, growing, and trusting God with the journey. As your looking ahead to your homeschool year, if you’re in need of a printable homeschool planner, I have one available that I designed and had several veteran homeschool moms check it out. They loved it. I’ve also got a 31 Day Prayer Challenge for Moms printable and 31 Scriptures to Deepen Your Prayer Life printable available. There’s nothing quite like praying Scripture!
Let’s do this. I’m cheering you on!
