General Considerations for High School

With so many options available now for homeschooled high school students, it is easy to get swept up in it all and possibly get overwhelmed or lose sight of what's most important to you and your student. One veteran homeschooling mom gives the reminder that students have their whole lives ahead of them to work. She advises parents to allow time for the students to have fun, explore hobbies and passions, and try new things. Another veteran homeschooling parent says to set them up for success; for some kids, that will mean not a driven path.

Job shadowing is a fantastic way to get an inside look at the career field your student is possibly interested in pursuing. On the flip side, job shadowing can also help narrow down the options for a student who is unsure of what career direction they are interested in. 

While Concurrent Enrollment through DMACC can mean advanced courses, it also provides access to job fields the student may want to explore before committing to it, such as autobody repair, culinary arts, or nursing via a certified nursing assistant (CNA) certification.

For students who are possibly interested in STEM fields, consider looking into the Ames High Business Engagement Collaborative (AHSBEC), which is a collaboration between ISU Research Park and the Ames Community Schools. From the Iowa State University Research Park website:

The AHSBEC was designed to give high school students experiential learning opportunities by partnering with Ames area businesses and nonprofits. Students complete projects for these businesses, giving them the opportunity to learn about project management, communication, and entrepreneurship while coming to work each day at the ISU Economic Development Core Facility. This strategic location allows students to work in a state-of-the-art facility surrounded by some of the greatest business opportunities in Iowa while receiving mentorship from ISURP employees and Iowa State students. Students not only receive on the job training and experience, but they also receive both Ames High and DMACC credit.