We recently put our house on the market, and the question I’ve been asked more than any other is:
“Where are you moving to?”

If you have a high schooler nearing graduation, you’ve probably heard a parallel question:
“What are you doing next?”

My honest response right now is, “I don’t know.” And if our high school students were being really honest, many of them would admit the same. Sometimes you don’t know the details—you just know it’s time for a new season.

Seasons Change—For Parents and Students

We lived in our home for 22 years and raised five kids there. It’s a big house on 10 acres, two miles past the middle of nowhere. It was the perfect place to homeschool, roam the hills, and give our kids freedom to grow.

But now our kids have graduated, launched, and started building their own families. Meanwhile, we’re in a huge house, with lots of land, while both working full-time. It’s a different season. Time for a change.

High school graduation is a similar kind of season shift. In those years, our kids are learning academics, gaining experiences, strengthening executive functioning skills, and beginning to ask the bigger questions: Who am I? What kind of life do I want to build?

The Challenge of “What’s Next?”

Here’s the thing: sometimes students don’t know the specifics of what’s next. Just like us, they may not have the next house—or the next step—lined up. But what matters is that they’re preparing for the season ahead.

Our house is now under contract—and we don’t yet know where we’ll land. Your kids may be approaching graduation—and they may not yet know their next step. That’s okay.

Preparation Makes the Difference

Before we even got to this point, we downsized our possessions, repaired, painted, power-washed, cleaned, staged, hired a great realtor, and had photos taken. Within a week, our house was under contract.

It’s the same with high school. Before graduation, preparation matters: not just checking off classes, but making sure your kids are ready for what comes next.

Think of yourself as your child’s project manager.
Break down the big picture into smaller tasks:

Academics (the transcript)
Experiences (jobs, volunteer work, projects)
Life skills (budgeting, time management, communication)
Next steps (college applications, career prep, trades training, or gap year plans)

When you approach high school this way, suddenly—even though it may feel overwhelming—it becomes manageable.

High School Doesn’t Have to Be Hard

And that’s the moment you realize: high school is, quite literally, not that hard.

Your kids may not know exactly what’s next, but with the right preparation, they’ll be ready to step into it. And as parents, we can give them the tools, guidance, and encouragement to do just that.

Want help preparing your high schooler for what’s next?
Check out our Transcript Template—our best-selling resource to help parents organize high school coursework and keep their kids future-ready.

Grab our TYPICAL COURSE OF STUDY for Jr. and Sr. High School

Equipping for What’s Next

High school isn’t just about checking boxes or finishing classes—it’s about equipping our kids with the skills, habits, and confidence they’ll need no matter where life takes them next.

Whether they head into the trades, pursue college, take on dual enrollment, or launch their own business, the goal is the same: prepare them to step into adulthood with purpose.

We’ve put together a simple framework of the core skills and pathways that help make high schoolers truly future-ready.

1. Core Academic Foundations

Communication: Writing, public speaking, digital literacy (English, Speech, Composition)
Critical Thinking: Logic, analysis, problem solving (Math, Science, History)
Collaboration: Group projects, labs, discussions (All subjects)
Creativity: Projects, presentations, design (Art, electives, capstones)

2. Technical & Digital Skills

Technology fluency: Productivity software, AI tools, coding basics (Computer Science, Tech electives)
Data & Information: Research skills, statistics, digital safety (Math, Science, History papers)
Media literacy: Understanding sources, bias, digital footprints (English, Social Studies)

3. Financial & Career Readiness

Financial literacy: Budgeting, investing, entrepreneurship basics (Personal Finance, Economics, Business classes)
Career skills: Resume writing, interviewing, internships, certifications (Career & Tech Ed, electives)
Professionalism: Time management, responsibility, adaptability (all classes reinforced through expectations)

4. Social & Emotional Intelligence

Emotional regulation: Handling stress, resilience, grit (Health, PE, advisory)
Cultural literacy: Global awareness, languages, civics (History, Foreign Language)
Leadership: Mentoring, service projects, clubs (Student Council, volunteer work)

Pathway Connections

Trades & Tech

Focus: Certifications, hands-on skills, apprenticeships
Courses: Applied Math, Physical Science, Business Math, Shop/Tech classes
Skills: Practical problem solving, safety, teamwork, tool/tech fluency

College Prep

Focus: Strong academic foundation, readiness for 4-year degree
Courses: Algebra I–II, Geometry, Biology, Chemistry, Literature, US/World History, Foreign Language
Skills: Critical thinking, research, communication, time management

Honors / Dual Degree

Focus: Advanced academics, early college credits
Courses: AP/Dual Enrollment in English, History, STEM, Foreign Languages
Skills: Academic writing, advanced reasoning, independent learning, scholarly collaboration
See an amazing Dual Degree program with True North Academy!

Entrepreneurship

Focus: Innovation, business creation, leadership
Courses: Economics, Business, Marketing, Communications, Tech electives
Skills: Creativity, risk management, pitching ideas, financial literacy, adaptability

Core Skills Every Student Needs

Category	Skills	Where It Fits in Coursework
Communication	Writing, speaking, digital literacy	English, Speech, Composition
Critical Thinking	Logic, analysis, problem solving	Math, Science, History
Collaboration	Group projects, labs, discussions	All subjects
Creativity	Projects, presentations, design	Art, electives, capstones
Technology & Digital	Coding, AI tools, media literacy	Computer Science, Tech, Social Studies
Financial & Career	Budgeting, resumes, professionalism	Personal Finance, Economics, Career Ed
	Resilience, global awareness, leadership	Health, Civics, Clubs, Service

Pathways for High School Success

Pathway	Focus	Courses	Key Skills
Trades & Tech	Certifications, hands-on skills	Applied Math, Physical Science, Shop/Tech	Problem solving, teamwork, tool/tech fluency
College Prep	Academic foundation, 4-year readiness	Algebra, Geometry, Biology, Literature, History, Foreign Language	Critical thinking, research, communication
Honors / Dual Degree	Advanced academics, early credits	AP/Dual Enrollment: English, STEM, History	Academic writing, reasoning, independent learning
Entrepreneurship	Innovation, leadership, business	Economics, Business, Marketing, Communications, Tech	Creativity, risk management, pitching, adaptability

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Lisa Nehring

Author, Publisher, Curriculum Developer at True North Homeschool Academy

Lisa Nehring has been married for over 30 years, has five children, 2 graduate degrees and a black belt in homeschooling. She has homeschooled since 1991 and wrote a Master’s Thesis on Why Parent’s Homeschool, the Literature Review being,A History of Education in America.

Lisa Nehring and her husband, Dr. David Nehring, a Clinical Psychologist, and Biblical Scholar speak together on a wide variety of topics, including education, classical education, vision, mission, parenting, marriage, and more.

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