The PA Department of Education defines Elementary as grades K-6th and Secondary as grades 7th-12th
What Must I Cover for Secondary Students?
The Junior High/Senior High list of requirements includes:
- English, to include language, literature, speech and composition
- Science
- Geography
- Social studies, to include civics
- World history, history of the United States and Pennsylvania
- Mathematics, to include general mathematics, algebra and geometry
- Art
- Music
- Physical education, health, and safety education, including regular and continuous instruction in the dangers and prevention of fires.
Junior/Senior High electives may include:
- Economics
- Biology and chemistry
- Foreign languages
- Trigonometry
PA state law requires that to graduate the high school student cover the following topics:
- 4 years of English
- 3 years of Science
- 3 years of Math
- 3 years of Social Studies
- 2 years of Humanities
Can I Teach High School Subjects?
Yes. Though the idea of teaching chemistry, physics, and calculus intimidates most of us, much of the high school curriculum is self-taught by your students. There are many options made available through support groups and tutoring services. Motivation is the secret to learning. If you need to learn something to teach it to your children, you are much more motivated than you were in high school. Many home educating parents report that the first time they really understood a subject was when they had to teach it to their children.
What is Middle School?
(2) At the secondary school level, the following courses shall be taught: English, to include language, literature, speech and composition; science; geography; social studies, to include civics, world history, history of the United States and Pennsylvania; mathematics, to include general mathematics, algebra and geometry; art; music; physical education; health; and safety education, including regular and continuous instruction in the dangers and prevention of fires. Such courses of study may include, at the discretion of the supervisor of the home education program, economics; biology; chemistry; foreign languages; trigonometry; or other age-appropriate courses as contained in Chapter 5 (Curriculum Requirements) of the State Board of Education.
(d) The following minimum courses in grades nine through twelve are established as a requirement for graduation in a home education program:
(1) Four years of English.
(2) Three years of mathematics.
(3) Three years of science.
(4) Three years of social studies.
(5) Two years of arts and humanities.