Taking Three Years to Do Two High School Guides
Years ago, I envisioned my children graduating from high school early. I pictured them volunteering, starting a home-based business, and reading lots of good books. However, in my homeschooling journey, I now realize I am also fine with high school taking longer. I am not in a rush for them to leave the house or go to college. I want them to stay at home as long as they want, and college is not a necessity unless it is necessary for their career choice.
So, for my eighth grader, to spread two Heart of Dakota high school guides over three years, how would you go about doing that?  We would take the summers off, and we would also take some time off for major holidays. Specifically, we’d spread out World Geography and World History, so they took three years rather than two years to complete. I’d count credit for World Geography in 9th grade, and I’d count credit for World History in 10th grade. Then, I’d finish out U.S. History I for 11th grade and U.S. History II for 12th grade.
Completing World Geography in About 1 ½ Years
From what you shared earlier, your daughter is already living the good life – doing volunteer work, interning a place she wants to work in the future, and of course – reading excellent books via HOD!
If it were me, I’d ideally start World Geography on September 1, 2026 and finish it December 23, 2027. Then, I could plan to start the new guide, World History, after Christmas break.
Throughout the year, I’d want Fridays off, so I’d homeschool four days a week, Monday through Thursday. I’d also plan two days off for Thanksgiving 2026, one week off for Christmas from Dec. 24 to Dec. 31, Spring Break off over Easter from April 5-9, 2027; two days off for Thanksgiving 2027, and one week off for Christmas from Dec. 24 -31, 2027.
The days to homeschool World Geography would work out this way (off all Fridays)…
Sept. 1, 2026: 18 days
Oct. 2026: 17 days
Nov. 2026: 15 days (Off 2 days for Thanksgiving)
Dec. 2026: 14 days (Off Dec. 24 -31 for Christmas Break)
Jan. 2027: 16 days
Feb. 2027: 16 days
Mar. 2027: 19 days
April 2027: 13 Days (Off for Easter Break April 5-9)
May 28, 2027: 17 days
Summer Break
Sept. 1 2027: 18 days
Oct. 2027: 16 days
Nov. 2027: 16 days (Off two Days for Thanksgiving)
Dec. 2027: 14 days (Off Dec. 24-31 for Christmas Break)
Total Number of Days: 209 days
Half-Speed and Full-Speed Pacing for World Geography
I’d homeschool Units 1-14 half-speed (14 units x 4 days a week times twice as long for half-speed = 112 days.)
I’d homeschool Units 15-35 full-speed (21 units x 4 days a week = 84 days.)
Total: 196 days of school
Extra Discretionary Days to Use If Sick or on Vacation: 13 days
Completing World History in About 1 ½ Years
Next, I’d ideally want to start World History after Christmas break on Jan. 1, 2027 and finish it by May 31, 2028. I’d want Fridays off, so I’d do school Monday through Thursday. I’d also plan Easter Spring Break off from March 27-31, 2028, two days off Thanksgiving 2028, one week off for Christmas from Dec. 25-29, 2028, and one week off for Easter Spring Break.
The days to homeschool World History would work out this way (off all Fridays)…
Jan. 2028: 17 days
Feb. 2028: 17 days
Mar. 2028: 14 days (Off for Easter Spring Break March 27-31)
Apr. 2028: 16 days
May 31, 2028: 19 days
Summer Break
Sept. 1, 2028: 16 days
Oct. 2028: 18 days
Nov. 2028: 17 days (Off two days for Thanksgiving)
Dec. 2028: 12 days (Dec. 25-29 for Christmas Break)
Jan. 2029: 19 days
Feb. 2029: 1 days
Mar. 2029: 17 days
Apr. 2029: 13 days (Off for Easter Spring Break from April 16-20)
May 31, 2029: 20 days
Total: 229 days of school
Half-Speed and Full-Speed Pacing for World History
I’d homeschool Units 1-18 half-speed (18 units x 4 days a week times twice as long for half-speed = 144 days.)
I’d homeschool Units 19-35 full-speed (17 units x 4 days a week = 68 days.)
Total: 212 days of school
Extra Discretionary Days to Use If Sick or on Vacation: 17 days
Of course, this is just one way to do this! You can totally adjust as needed, but I hope this gives you a general template to work with!
In Christ,
Julie Grosz, M.Ed.
P.S. Otherwise, here is a blog post with…
Creative Pacing for Stretching the 4 High School Guides Over 5 Years
