The best laid plans don’t always work, especially when a non-homeschooler is leading you down the wrong path. Renee lives in Washington State, and wrote to express frustration with the college advising she received from the local public high school guidance counselor.

Hi Lee,
I believe I’ve seen you on a few occasions. We have been homeschooling for over 15 years and I know I’ve run into you. My friend went to the College prep symposium near Seattle last Saturday. Yesterday she loaned me your book, “Setting The Records Straight” and sent me on my way.

This happened today and I sent it to my friends and am sharing it with you as well.

Sonia and I went to Mount Baker High School today for a meeting with Sonia’s guidance counselor. It was comical in that it was ridiculous. There we were in his office along with a guy doing his practicum who’s completing his masters in teaching. He got an education today I think, a confusing one. We had the meeting because Sonia was worried about not having the right kind of credit in one particular class to graduate.

Here’s a little background: Our daughter Sonia began the attending the Community College at age 15, and our parent partnership program funded that year. The next two years were funded by the state dual enrollment program, Running Start, of which she’s in her 2nd year.

Counselor: “You only have 15 credits and you need two more years of high school credits to graduate from Mount Baker.
Renee: “How many college credits does she have on her transcripts you’re holding there?”
Counselor: “Um, 60………. Oh, I mean 75.”
Renee: “And what is her GPA on those 75 college credits?”
Counselor: (He said the GPA, and it was above the needed GPA to graduate)
Renee: (Madly thinking to find the proper words to express the state of being aghast without seeming out of control) “Wow. How does that work?”
Counselor: (Hair standing up on the back of his neck) “What?”
Renee: “How does it work that she has to sit in a chair in this school for two more years to get enough credits to get a diploma from here?”
Counselor: “Our credits are for the year and the college is for quarters, and so the number of credits isn’t the same….”
Renee: “Oh, I can see how that works now. But why does she have to sit in a chair in this school for two more years to get enough credits to get a diploma from here?” I didn’t really say the last part, but I wanted to.

Bottom line is this; they will not accept any Mother of Divine Grace credits even though it’s an accredited school. It’s not a Washington State approved school within their system. So there you have it.

BUT, he was pretty helpful in that he suggested some tangible things Sonia can do to further her application process to colleges. He basically said to scrap the idea of rounding up those extra credits since she really didn’t need them. She could get her GED, check off the “Homeschooled” box on her applications and that would be her ticket in. From the people I’ve spoken with, none that I know of have had their kids get a GED. They just made a fancy diploma and sent their kids on their way.

I’d like to share what we went up against. Things are changing so quickly in the systems, Parent Partnership Programs, etc. and we don’t always know what’s happening. Another funny story in the process of having the luxury of “Designing Your Own Classical Curriculum.”

I’ll be glued to your book and your website that my friend shared with me and our group of homeschooling families.
Blessings!!!
Renee

Wow! I’m so thankful that Renee wanted to share her story with you! I have written articles about some of the issues that came up during her interaction with the guidance counselor and parent partnership program. Let me give it to you in a nutshell. YOU are a much better guidance counselor than a school employee, because you know more about your child. Community college, accreditation, and parent partnership programs may make your job much more difficult. You don’t need a GED to get your child into college, and if they give you trouble you can search for a more homeschool-friendly college. Finally, make a homeschool transcript that truly reflects your student.

Here are the articles and resources, if you would like to do more research on each topic.

The Best High School Guidance Counselor Is YOU!
Facing the Community College Fad
Homeschool Accreditation – “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
Stigma-Free Homeschool Graduation!
What is a Homeschool Friendly College?
Parent Partnership Problems “Love with Some Strings Attached”
Free Class – Credits and Grades and Transcripts