Gulp. I can hardly believe we’re here. All these years of homeschooling from our first day of school.
So many morning read-alouds, notebooking pages, last-minute curriculum changes, field trips, and all those “this is why we homeschool” moments. All of them have somehow led us to this: senior year.
It’s wild, really. It feels like just yesterday I was teaching letter sounds and reading all about Boo Boo the Gosling, A Day at the Airport, and Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day with exaggerated voices and way too much coffee. Now we’re talking about college transcripts, FAA certifications, and signing up for flight lessons. Literal flight lessons.
Welcome to our 12th-grade year. Where faith meets grit, and learning takes to the skies. Dear Jesus, hold this Momma’s hand and heart.
Let’s dive into what we’ve got planned for the 2025–2026 school year.
Dual Enrollment
I mentioned in my 11th Grade Plans for 2024-2025 that we determined that dual enrollment was the best option for Mister. So this will be his second full year of dual enrollment at our local college. He spent his entire junior year there, rising to the challenge of college-level coursework like it was no big deal. Spoiler: it was a big deal. And he handled it like a champ. He finished his junior year with 23 credits and a 4.0 at the college level.
Now we’re heading into year twelve of homeschooling and year two of fully dual-enrolled college coursework. It’s wild. It’s wonderful. And it’s 100% the right fit for this season. Here’s what our senior year looks like and how it’s all aligning with his big goals, including some exciting new developments that are truly taking things to the next level. Literally.
Year Two of Dual Enrollment at the Community College
This year, he will complete his final year of high school by taking another full slate of college courses. This intentional overlap helps him earn credit toward both his high school diploma and his future college degree. I used Transferology to compare the classes at the community college to the classes at the college he wants to go to, to make sure they would transfer into the program he wants to enroll in when he finishes high school. Ermagoodness, if you knew the hours I logged between the two college websites and Transferology, you’d offer me a salary as an academic advisor. No joke.
Now he’s set, learning alongside other college students, developing strong study habits, growing in independence, and discovering how to own his education.
Here’s what he’ll be taking for his senior year:
Public Speaking (3 credits)
This is such a foundational skill, and honestly, I think every student should take it. Whether he’s leading a presentation, giving a safety briefing, or speaking in a ministry setting one day, this course will help him become a confident communicator. It’s not just about speaking clearly, it’s about learning to speak with integrity and purpose. This specific class focuses on various types of speeches, including business and organizational, ceremonial, speeches of tribute, acceptance, and toasting.
“Don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.” Hebrews 13:16 (NLT)
We’re praying he becomes the kind of man who uses his voice to uplift and encourage.
Ethics (3 credits)
This course is an introduction to the philosophical study of moral decision-making, worldviews, and the philosophical foundations of right and wrong. Topics may include the history of ethics, human nature, challenges to morality (e.g. relativism, egoism, etc.), moral theoretical foundations (e.g. virtue ethics, care ethics, deontological ethics, utilitarianism, pragmatism, particularism, pluralism, etc.), social ethics (e.g. including race, gender, sexuality, etc.), and applied areas (e.g. abortion, capital punishment, environmental ethics, health care, etc.). In today’s world, developing a Biblically grounded ethical framework is more important than ever. I’m looking forward to the discussions that this class will spark, because when he took a debate class that dealt with ethics and real-life scenarios previously, we had some great discussions. Classes like this are great, because faith isn’t something you leave outside the classroom, it shapes every part of who we are.
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (3 credits)
This class is a study of diverse human cultures and an introduction of the basic concepts and techniques practiced by cultural anthropologists. Topics include language, kinship, gender, economics, politics, ecology, and religion. It will include discussion of problems resulting when traditional societies confront industrial societies or industrialization.
What a gift to explore how cultures across time and space reflect both human uniqueness and common need. My hope is that this course fosters empathy, curiosity, and a deeper understanding of how people live, think, and worship differently. It’s should be a beautiful complement to his calling, and I hope it gives him a broader lens through which to love and serve others well.
Computer Graphics (3 credits)
Even future pilots can benefit from creative outlets. This course focus on digital design, where he’ll examine vector graphics software to create commercial designs and illustrations for multimedia presentations. There will be an emphasis on the use of tools, workspace, and current commercial design trends. He’ll use Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Creative Cloud to create and develop designs, which could include logos, graphics, fonts and layouts.
It should tap into both his technical and artistic skills. Whether it’s editing flight presentations, creating personal projects, or simply enjoying creative expression, we love that there’s space for imagination in his academic life.
College Statistics (4 credits)
This course blends math with real-world application. It’s a step beyond the textbook into analyzing and interpreting the kind of data we encounter daily. It also checks a major box for college prerequisites, especially for STEM-based or aviation majors. More importantly, it’s a milestone in perseverance, because he’s worked diligently to master the foundations needed to succeed here.
Introduction to Logic (3 credits)
Logic is all about clear thinking: deductive and inductive logic, causal reasoning, recognizing patterns, identifying fallacies, and developing sound arguments. We live in a world filled with noise and confusion, and this class helps equip him to cut through it with clarity and conviction.
“Test all things; hold fast what is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (NKJV)
Logic and discernment are companions, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to build both.
Western Civilization (3 credits)
This sweeping course brings history, philosophy, religion, and art into one big story, beginning with Renaissance through post-WWII period. We’ve long emphasized history in our homeschool, so this is a beautiful way to see the broader picture of how we got here. Understanding the past isn’t about nostalgia; it’s about wisdom for the future.
Technical Writing (3 credits)
From research reports to formal documentation, this course teaches how to write clearly and concisely for practical use. And for a young man heading into aviation, those skills are crucial. Flight logs, instruction manuals, operational reports—all require a level of precision that this class helps cultivate.
From a credits standpoint, if everything goes according to plan, he’ll have 48 college credits when he graduates high school. That is quite an accomplishment.
Taking Flight: Private Pilot Training Begins Soon
This year will also mark the official beginning of something he’s dreamed of for a long time: private pilot training.
After months (and I mean long months) of jumping through hoops he finally obtained a First Class Medical Certification (yes, the one required for commercial airline pilots) he’s ready to begin his flight training in earnest. As soon as he returns from a fun trip to visit with friends, we’ll be connecting with a trusted local flight school where our hope is he’ll begin the work toward earning his Private Pilot License (PPL).
From the time he was little, sharing a themed transportation birthday party with Dad and Grandpa, he decided on “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles” because he could have planes, and they could have the others. He has spent countless hours building airplanes out of LEGOs and watching cockpit videos in his spare time, so we’ve alwyas known this wasn’t just a phase. His fascination with flight has grown. Now, it’s time to soar.
Pursuing flight school in tandem with a full dual enrollment load won’t be easy. But he’s motivated, focused, and ready. The First Class Medical Certification gives him a competitive edge and reassures us that his body and mind are cleared for the journey ahead. The college that he wants to attend had over 300 applications for 54 seats in their pilot program this year. he is motivated to do everything he can to give himself a competitve edge for one of the available seats next year, and the PPL and the completed transfer credits toward the degree will go a long way toward that.
We see this as more than just a career path for him; it’s a stewardship of the gifts God has given him.
“Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3 (NLT)
Whether he becomes a commercial pilot, flies cargo planes, or serves on medical missions (or a combination of all three), we pray he honors God with every mile.
Part-Time Employment
He also has a part-time job as a server at an assisted living facility. His shifts are 4 hours each, and he only picks up a couple shifts a week. We’ll watch is grades closely, and he already knows that the first thing to hit the chopping block will be his hours at work. He does like having the freedom of his own spending money, so he’s motivated to keep his grades up.
Why We’re Still Homeschooling
People sometimes ask me why we’re still calling it “homeschooling” when his coursework is 100% college-level. But here’s the thing, homeschooling isn’t about location. It’s about intentionality.
We’re still homeschooling because we’re still guiding, praying, mentoring, discipling, and shepherding him. We still discuss current events over dinner. We still walk through his educational goals together. We still talk about dreams and decisions through the lens of faith.
Homeschooling has given us the flexibility to customize his education to meet his needs. It’s allowed him to accelerate where he’s strong, get help where needed, and pursue his passions in a way that traditional paths might not have allowed.
We’re not letting go. We’re leaning in.
A Word to Fellow Homeschool Parents
If you’re looking ahead to high school and wondering how on earth you’re going to juggle credits, career goals, and college readiness, take heart.
You don’t have to have all the answers today.
You just need to take the next faithful step.
Whether your teen is bound for flight school, art school, Bible college, or the family business, God’s got them. And He’s got you too.
Lean into prayer. Be sure to pray Scripture over your children. Ask for wisdom. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or explore unconventional options. Your homeschool doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s to be fruitful.
And when you reach 12th grade and look back, you might just find yourself saying what I am now:
It’s been hard.
It’s been holy.
And I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
For my son, this year is about finishing well and flying higher, literally and spiritually.
With a full schedule of dual enrollment classes, ongoing discipleship at home, and the start of private pilot training, our senior is being stretched in the best ways. And we couldn’t be prouder.
God’s not done. In fact, He’s just getting started.
Here’s to the next adventure, and the faith to take flight.
As you plan for your beautiful homeschool year, if you’re in need of a printable homeschool planner, I have one available that I had a few homeschool Moms test out for me, and 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. Praying Scripture is fire!
Not sure the pros and cons of Dual Enrollment or help navigating the Homeschool Senior Year? Looking for ideas for planning out your high school years with purpose? Check out my homeschool and curriculum tabs for more ideas.
