High School Goals that Really Matter
When homeschooling through high school, long-term goals act like guardrails. Rather than dictating every daily decision, they keep us on track when progress can feel uneven or slow. These goals are not achieved quickly, but they are worth revisiting over and over. This can feel unsettling in a culture that values quick results and measurable outcomes. As my own kids grew older, I didn’t narrow my educational goals for them; I actually broadened my hopes and expectations. I landed on three goals that were broad enough for each of my kids—no matter their interests or talents—to grow into by the time they graduated from high school. These three goals have helped my kids tremendously and I believe they will help yours as well.
Developing a Passion Without Pressure
My first hope for our children was that they know first-hand what it means to experience a passion for something. They did not need to identify a lifelong calling, only that that they know what it feels like to care deeply about something. Interests will change—and that’s not a failure, but a natural part of growth.
Passion teaches children how to engage, how to wonder, and how to lose track of time while they dream. When they become familiar with that feeling, they’re more likely to recognize it again and pursue those dreams with confidence.
I remember one year, my son spent a lot of time designing a creating a bridge rather than finishing his math curriculum early. That time outside considering the best components for his small red bridge was pivotal in his world. Math was still completed, but the application and engineering that went into the small bridge was ultimately far more instrumental to his education that year. Homeschooling offers the freedom to linger and to run down rabbit trails; to learn and research interests without rushing or assigning value only to that which is deemed useful.
Developing the Self-Discipline to Pursue a Passion
Passion on its own isn’t enough. We also want our children to develop the self-discipline to follow through when learning becomes difficult or tedious.
Self-discipline can look like learning how to practice, how to accept feedback, seeking out mentors, or how to persevere through frustration. It includes repetition, effort, and even doing things that aren’t fun. Even the pursuit of a passion will involve jumping through unpleasant hoops.
Self-discipline formed in pursuit of something meaningful is very different from acting out of compliance for its own sake. Striving after a passion builds resilience, humility, and lasting confidence.
Learning to Communicate with Clarity and Courage
Finally, we need to teach our kids to communicate well about what they care about. They must be able to put words to their thoughts, both spoken and written—they must be able to describe and defend, research and apply ideas rather than merely repeat them.
This is where the world intersects with faith, passion, and self-discipline. Communication gives children the voice that will carry them into adulthood. It allows them to engage thoughtfully, listen well, and contribute meaningfully.
In a home rich with conversation, reading, writing, and reflection; these skills will grow naturally over time.
Keep the Big Picture in View
These goals won’t be accomplished in a single semester—aim for graduation. Like any worthwhile goal, these goals are achieved slowly, through ordinary days, imperfect weeks, and, most importantly, steady faithfulness.
Return to these long-term aims when homeschooling feels scattered or insufficient. They will remind us that growth is happening, even when it’s hard to measure. Sometimes the most important work we are doing can’t be captured on a transcript—but it’s shaping something far more lasting.
