Why More?

Crossroads requires more credits than some satellite and/or correspondence schools.  However, our graduates typically earn more than the required twenty-four credits.  Due to our extensive requirements, students have been successful in gaining entry into the colleges and universities of their choice as well as winning competitive scholarships.

What Does...

Crossroads Christian School will work with parents and students on fulfilling these requirements using their chosen curriculum and teaching method. The majority of our students use a combination of the two requirement programs below to customize their own course of study.

When students are enrolled during grades 10-12, we will send a High School Credit Worksheet, upon request. Taking into consideration previously completed high school courses, this worksheet will indicate which credits are still remaining. This is not a transcript and will not indicate grades or attendance.

Crossroads does recognize educational activities completed outside of the home. Because of this our graduates earn more than the 24 required credits. We recognize such activities as volunteer service, co-operative courses, sports, choir, musical performances, job experience, etc.

If you have any questions about the requirements or would like to customize a course of study*, please contact Crossroads. We are always willing to work with parents in developing a program best suited for the child and the family.

Below is a list of the subject areas and credits required for graduation. You will also find an explanation of any further requirements in these courses. *NOTE -Some courses are limited to a maximum amount of credits that may be used toward CCS graduation, please see green highlights.

*Crossroads has many students with varying academic abilities. Parents with children needing a specialized program should create an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). As both the parent and the teacher, they should set goals based on the child's abilities. These goals should challenge the child and encourage progress without frustration. The IEP should be submitted to Crossroads either at enrollment or shortly afterwards.

Basic Plan

Explanation of Basic Plan Requirements

English is a combination of Grammar, Literature, Composition, Vocabulary, Research, etc. (* High School English courses must have all these listed components in order to receive credit.*)  Comprehensive Literature programs may earn an additional English credit.  Vocabulary and Grammar alone are not English credits.  Alpha Omega's Essentials of Communication is not an English credit; it is in fact a Speech/Public Speaking (Performing Arts) credit.

Completing Algebra 1 is strongly encouraged in the Basic Plan. Other Mathematics may be Consumer Math, Business Math, Applied Mathematics, Geometry, Pre-Algebra, Algebra 2, Trigonometry, etc. Algebra I is required for students in or planning to dual-enroll with a local college.

Biology is required in the Basic Plan. Other Sciences may be Earth Science, Botany, Zoology, Astronomy, Chemistry, Physics, Oceanography, Creation Science, Anatomy, General Science.

NOTE:  Many of the following courses require a log of participation hours as they are not textbook-based.  These courses require that a NON-TRADITIONAL CREDIT WORKSHEET be completed and forwarded with reporting in order for CCS to determine credit amounts.

 
Personal Fitness is typically a Physical Education program combined with Health. The first half-credit of any Physical Education program is applied toward the Personal Fitness requirement. 
 

Life Management Skills includes a combination of health, family dynamics, nutrition, teen body awareness, finance/money management, etc or any pre-approved Life Skill curriculum. Many parents use this course as an opportunity to discuss dating vs. courting, abstinence, sexually-transmitted diseases, abortion, pregnancy.

NOTE: Some publishers list their Life Management course as a 1 credit course ;however, CCS considers LMS a 1/2 credit course and only 1/2 credit can be awarded upon completion.

Performing Arts would consist of Chorus, Piano, Art Appreciation, Drama, Drawing, Painting, Sculpting.

Practical Arts would consist of Computer, Drafting, Business, Accounting. In the Basic Plan, the student may fulfill that credit with either Performing or Practical Arts, or they may use a combination of both.

Electives may consist of Driver's Education, Chorus, Drama, Foreign Language, World Cultures Geography, Home Economics, Work Experience, Vocational courses, Volunteer work, Scouting activities.

NOTE:  IF YOU ARE UNCERTAIN WHETHER THE CURRICULUM YOU ARE CHOOSING WILL SATISFY A CERTAIN CREDIT REQUIREMENT OR  IF YOU ARE UNCERTAIN OF THE AMOUNT OF CREDITS THAT THE CURRICULUM YOU CHOOSE WILL EARN TOWARD CCS GRADUATION, PLEASE CONTACT US AND WE WILL RESEARCH IT FOR YOU. 

Explanation of Academic Scholars Plan Requirements

Algebra 1 and two other upper Mathematics are required. (Some upper Mathematics are Algebra II, Geometry, PreCalculus, Trigonometry, Calculus)

Three Science courses are required. Two must have lab. Most homeschool Biology, Chemistry, and Physics curriculum contain lab. In some cases Earth/Space Science will contain lab. Though helpful, attending separate lab class is not necessary.

Foreign Language is strongly recommended in this plan. The majority of colleges and universities will not require Foreign Language if the child has successfully completed it in high school. This will save the family a considerable amount of money. Please note that it must be two years of the same language. Many colleges are now accepting American Sign Language as a Foreign Language.

Practical Arts consists of Computer, Drafting, Business, Accounting.

NOTE:  IF YOU ARE UNCERTAIN WHETHER THE CURRICULUM YOU ARE CHOOSING WILL SATISFY A CERTAIN CREDIT REQUIREMENT OR  IF YOU ARE UNCERTAIN OF THE AMOUNT OF CREDITS THAT THE CURRICULUM YOU CHOOSE WILL EARN TOWARD CCS GRADUATION, PLEASE CONTACT US AND WE WILL RESEARCH IT FOR YOU. 

Publishers' Suggested Credits

Some homeschool curriculum/books publishers/authors make suggested credit award statements.  In some cases their suggestions are accurate, and in others they are not.  For instance a single year Social Studies program suggests that the student should receive four high school credits for its completion; however, the program does not have the content equivalent to four high school credits.  Credit award will be at discretion of the administration. If the curriculum author's suggested credit amount is not awarded, we may recommend adding some content to the student's program to increase the credit available.

Community Service/Volunteer Work

Concerning volunteer work, one-half credit in Social Studies and/or one-half of another elective credit may be obtained by the completion of non-paid voluntary community service. Students choosing this option shall complete a minimum of 75 hours of service in order to earn the one-half credit in either category of instruction. Credit may not be earned for service provided as a result of court action. Many scholarships require community service hours.

*NOTE: Hours are to be logged on a Non-Traditional Credit Worksheet and forwarded with reporting in order to earn credit.

Recognition of Extra-Curricular Activities

We may award credit for participation in choir, dramatic presentations, music lessons, dance lessons, sports activities, and scouting activities. We also award credit for driving lessons resulting in the obtaining of a driver's license. . For one-half credit the student needs to complete 60-75 hours. For a full credit the hours are 120-150. Hours are not counted for academic courses. Credits will be awarded when appropriate.

*NOTE: Hours are to be logged on a Non-Traditional Credit Worksheet and forwarded with reporting in order to earn credit.
 

Traditional High School Schedule

Some parents request a typical high school schedule.  Based on the requirements of many public schools throughout the United States, the basic schedule is as follows (parent may follow a schedule to their suiting and is not required to follow the schedule below listed):

Ninth Grade -

Bible

Pre-Algebra or Algebra I

English I

Personal Fitness (one semester)

Health I -Life Management Skills (one semester)

World Geography

Physical Science

Tenth Grade -

Bible (one semester or more)

Algebra I or Geometry

English II

World History

Biology

Physical Education (one semester)

Performing Arts Elective

Eleventh Grade -

Bible (optional)

Geometry or Algebra II

English III

American History

Chemistry

Foreign Language

Elective

Elective

Twelfth Grade -

Bible (optional)

Algebra II or An Advanced Math

English IV

Economics (one semester)

American Government (one semester)

Physics

Foreign Language (same language as previous year)

Elective

SAT/ACT Study (one semester)