Homeschool High School Graduation Photos – Will, 2002, and Christina, 2006
A very special part of our homeschool high school was the graduation ceremony, and we took advantage of the opportunity to make the ceremony as perfect for our family as we could. Like every other part of homeschooling, we enjoyed having the freedom to decide what was best for our unique children and family.
Planning the Ceremony
Will completed his 1st and 2nd grades in one year and graduated at age 17 on June 4, 2002. Christina started kindergarten a year early and then did year-round homeschooling a couple of years later on. She graduated at age 16 on May 22, 2006.
Terry and I let both Will and Christina choose what sort of high school graduation ceremony they preferred. When they were younger, we did a lot of activities with our local homeschool co-op. When we moved to Colorado, we didn’t participate in homeschool co-op activities, mainly because Will and Christina were so involved in sports and other extracurricular activities already.
Will having fun at his graduation party.
We could have participated in a homeschool high school graduation ceremony through Christian Home Educators of Colorado (CHEC), which was my main source of homeschool inspiration with its annual homeschool conferences. But because Will’s and Christina’s friends were through their extracurricular activities, they each chose to have a private family homeschool graduation ceremony. If we would have had relatives nearby, we would have invited them as well. Since our relatives all lived in other states, we just planned a celebration for our immediate family.
Before the ceremony, I purchased a diploma, cap and gown for my graduating senior from Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA). I purchased mementos and special graduation gifts as well. Both Will and Christina received an engraved photo frame with a place for their tassle and graduation photo. I also ordered a cake and bought graduation paper plates and napkins.
Our Graduation Ceremony and Party
We all dressed up for the actual ceremony, which included a reading from a book of family ceremonies, impromptu speeches, presentation of the diploma, and a prayer. Then we had a time for senior photos on our deck. After that, we had cake and ice cream before our graduating senior opened cards and presents. It was very simple but perfect for our family.
Choices for Homeschooling Families with Graduating Seniors
We were very happy with the graduation products we purchased, but there are many more options available today. HSLDA and a number of companies offer choices of graduation invitations and thank-you notes. In addition to the diplomas, caps and gowns, both HSLDA and Homeschool Diploma have honor cords now. Because of my kids’ GPAs, I would have ordered honor cords if they would have been available at the time. HSLDA even offers T-shirts with the graduating senior’s class year.
As far as graduation ceremonies are concerned, you can check with your local or state homeschool organization about homeschool graduation ceremonies. Or have your own private ceremony – as small or as large as you wish.
Homeschool high school graduation is the perfect time to celebrate the freedom homeschoolers enjoy. Participate in or design the experience that fits your unique graduating senior and family best. Congratulations to all the homeschool parents and students who have achieved such an incredible accomplishment! Now, celebrate! 🙂
My other posts telling about our homeschool high school:
Top 5 Homeschool Lessons My Children Taught Me
Why I Love Homeschooling Conferences and Seminars
Homeschool High School – What We Did
Learn more about my eBook Montessori at Home or School: How to. Teach Grace and Courtesy!
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I love how you made your homeschool graduation personalized and special. I’ve often wondered about that (even though we are far off from graduation). I’ve also wondered about college applications and transcripts and everything else that comes along with it. I try not to think of it all at once, because it can be overwhelming. Have you posted about that? I’d love to hear your experience.
Thanks so much, Lori! I talk about transcripts (our only grades) and college applications at https://livingmontessorinow.com/2011/05/12/homeschool-high-school-what-we-did/. I think 6th grade is a great time to make a tentative plan for junior high and high school. It’s wonderful that you’re starting to think about it already, though! 🙂
Thanks so much for the article. Also, just wanted to say keep up the great work on your article and blog in general. Really great lay out and design.
Thanks for your kind comment, Christopher! 🙂
Oh, both your kids are so beautiful. Errr, the young man is handsome, I should say, lol. What an interesting post! I’ve always wondered how homeschoolers did the whole graduation thing! This is my something new for today, thank you! I was wondering if your daughter went off to college early as well! That is very cool!
My son skipped a grade in Montessori school but went to a traditional (actually, Catholic) high school. The Montessori experience is something that our whole family will value forever, as our kids turned out extremely strong morally and in community. (um, and not to mention independent and understanding the value of personal space! lol)
One thing I’ll never regret doing for them!
Thanks so much for your very kind comment, Sheila! I love hearing Montessori success stories like your family’s! Your kids sound awesome – well done! 🙂
Oh gosh, that was really long, sorry! lol
I loved it! 🙂
Sounds like a lovely graduation. Beautiful photos to go along with it.
(mom loop)
Thanks so much, Terri! We definitely had a great time with each graduation! 🙂
How fun! Both my husband and I were homeschooled. Our parents had a small celebration for a few of us. At that time, homeschooling was not as popular as it is now. I think there were four of us. It was still fun to get all dressed up!
Thanks for your comment, Heather! That’s awesome! I always love to visit with adults who were homeschooled! 🙂
I love homeschooling because there are SO MANY way to do things… your children’s graduations each seem special and meaningful. I love the glimpse into the future (mine are 6 and 9!)
Thanks for your comment, Mary! I love that, too – the freedom to do what’s best for each unique family is truly a gift.
I guess I never really thought about how homeschool students celebrate their graduation? Very interesting and something I can pass along to my brother-in-law and his wife (who are homeschooling both of their boys).
Thanks so much for your comment – and for passing along the information! 🙂
Kudos to you on the graduation of your kids. I homeschooled mine just for the high school yrs and our son graduated at age 17. I used to say to my friends “I am graduating” because it’s such an accomplishment for mom as well.
Thank you for sharing your ideas. I knew I needed those when I graduated mine.
Oh yes! I am from Moms Loop on Blogfrog.
Coach Theresa
Thanks, Theresa! How true that it’s a real accomplishment for the homeschool teacher as well as the student graduating! 🙂
Making this a family celebration is such a wonderful idea.
Thanks so much! I was really happy with the graduation celebrations we had (and my kids were, too – which was the most important)!
What a fabulous way to celebrate their achievements, Deb! I love that you gave each of your children a way to archive their high school graduation complete with cap & gown photos. I’m filing this one away. Thanks so much for sharing. Happy Saturday! 🙂
Thanks so much for your kind comment, Larri! I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend, too! 🙂
This is the most wonderful post and heart warming message to give…thank you…again:))
Thanks so much for your very kind comment, Cherine! I love what you’re doing in your homeschool, and I enjoy watching your kids learn and grow! 🙂
This information is very useful…… thanks for sharing………..