A Successful Close

Jennifer Leann Straw
Graduated: April 4, 2004

A Successful Close:
My Homeschool High School Graduation
by Jennifer Leann Straw, 2004

During the summer of 2002 we explored different options for my high school work. We wanted for me to still be homeschooled, but we also wanted a diploma from an accredited high school. A correspondence course seemed the best way to go. The American School seemed to be our best choice. As we read some reviews of the American School that were posted online, we found one by a mother whose two children had graduated from the American School, and both of her children had finished their high school work in two years. That sounded great to me, but I figured it might take me three years, as I was not ready to go to school “full-time” (i.e. from 9 am to 4 pm.)

I started out on my high school journey in August of 2002, and by June 2003 I had completed 11/16 of the courses required. That school year I worked hard, but I did not have to do school “full-time” to get all those courses done. Through the American School I worked through a total of 16 books, studying everything from history, to biology, to algebra, to Spanish (which I would recommend not taking through correspondence!). Overall I was very pleased with the interaction I had with the American School, and would recommend it to anyone who is wants to be homeschooled through high school, but whose parents do not have the time to correct all their school work. (I corrected all the “self-tests” myself, and sent all the exams in for the American School to correct.)

By early 2004 I was definitly looking forward to being done with my high school work. I was looking forward to getting on to the next phase of my life, and was having fun planning where and when I would be going to college. During the weeks leading up to my graduation I knew that I was almost finished with an important phase of my life, but it was not until after the
actual graduation ceremony that I really felt done.

On April 4, 2004 at 3pm approximately 70 people gathered at Scio Baptist Church to witness my graduation ceremony. The ceremony itself was about 45 minutes long, with a time of fellowship and food afterwards. I will never forget that day!

Several weeks before the ceremony I approached both my grandmothers and three other ladies who have been an important part of my life, and asked them if they would be willing to speak for up to five minutes at my graduation. They all said they would, and I sincerely enjoyed hearing the advice and other things they shared. I also asked my one grandfather to do the opening prayer, and my other grandfather to do the closing prayer.

Along with the ladies sharing, and my grandfathers praying, we sang three hymns, “Make Me a Blessing,” “Give of Your Best to the Master,” and “In My Heart There Rings A Melody.” The actually “presentation of diploma” was very short, as my father had the graduates line up in alphabetical order and receive their diplomas and a rose before sitting down.

What a day! Looking back it was tons of work, but I am so glad we chose to do an actual ceremony, instead of my just receiving the diploma here at our house with a few friends around. That feeling of accomplishment has not left me, and it is so wonderful to not have to squeeze in an hour or two of schoolwork after babysitting all day. I have been able to help with housework, read, put together a puzzle, cross-stitch, etc, in this “extra” time I now have.
As a homeschool graduate I am so glad that my parents started homeschooling me in kindergarten, and continued homeschooling me through high school. I firmly believe that homeschooling is the best way of schooling, and I am planning to homeschool my children (if I ever get married and have any.)

A quote I heard recently by Aristotle supports my opinion of homeschooling, “We owe more to our teachers than to our parents. For though our parents gave us life, our teachers taught us good life.” It is sad, but true, that children today owe more gratitude to their teachers than to their parents. I am so glad that not only can I thank my parents for giving me life, but for teaching me how to respond to the circumstances that life will bring my way, for teaching me good life.

I am looking forward to starting a few college classes in September 2004. I will be getting my prerequisites to go to Oregon Health Sciences Degree and earn my Bachelor’s in Nursing. I realize my next schooling experience will be so different from anything I have ever done, as I will be around young people who dress and act a lot differently than I do, but I am excited about this opportunity nevertheless.

The graduate with her family