Secondary Grades 7-12

According to the law (and verified by a representative of the PA Department of Education), a student does NOT have to study all of the required subjects every year. As long as the subjects are taught at some point (even for one semester) during the secondary years, the law is fulfilled.

A student at the secondary level should have instruction documented for either 180 days or 990 hours.

The required courses for secondary grades (7-12) are:
(see law)

English, to include language, literature, speech (not necessarily a separate textbook or entire year's course), and composition
Mathematics, to include general mathematics, algebra, and geometry
Social studies, to include civics (U.S. and Commonwealth government), world history, History of the United States and Pennsylvania
Science
Geography
Music
Health and safety education, including regular and continuous instruction in the dangers and prevention of fires
Physical education
Music
Art

"Such courses of study may include, at the discretion of the supervisor (parent) of the home education program, economics; biology; chemistry; foreign languages; trigonometry; or other age appropriate courses as contained in chapter 5..." 24 P.S. §13-1327.1(c)

However, to fulfill the law's requirements for graduation from home-school, a student DOES need to do the following subjects during the 9-12 grade years:
(see law)

Four years of English
Three years of mathematics
Three years of science
Three years of social studies
Two years of arts and humanities
- "Arts and humanites. Study of dance, theatre, music, visual arts, language and literature including forms of expression, historical and cultural context, critical and aesthetic judgment and production, performance or exhibition of work." Chapter 4, 4.12 (4)

Below you'll find recommendations for curriculum (based on the law's requirements) that we, as a family, found to be enjoyable for the student and educationally sound. Most of this curriculum has been well-established and reputable for decades. You will find that I repeat many of the same comments from grade to grade. This is because I realize that many parents will go directly to the grade that concerns their student (and not read through the entire page).

Curriculum recommendations for seventh through twelfth grades coming soon!

Copyright © 2003 BuxMont Parent Educators
We are not lawyers; and, while we have researched the PA home-school law in careful detail, we are not offering legal advice.
If you need legal counsel, you should consult a professional attorney or HSLDA.