"This book is a brand new entry to the national market. Mrs. Johnson is a home-school mom, a pastor's wife, and part-time manager of the home-school section in a Christian book store. Her book is a full size gentle walk through everything that you really need to know about designing and documenting your student's high school experience. She writes, "...I usually live a too-busy life. The suggestions contained in this book grow out of a lifestyle that required simplicity in high school planning and record keeping, or they wouldn't get done. (It's still a struggle!)...I hope this book's straightforward presentation of information will be just what you are looking for!"
"Mrs. Johnson's experience in counseling customers is evident throughout this book in her layout, the way that she sprinkles Q&A sections, and the types of questions that she includes. She starts with a discussion on the benefits of homeschooling through high school, and lays out the basic options including a good listing of correspondence schools with a discussion on whether accreditation is an issue or not. A strength throughout her book is that she lays out pros and cons, options and further resources to use (as curriculum) or to consult. This book has the best discussion on earning early college credit for work - some of the potential pitfalls (like forfeiting freshman status for scholarships). Resources are clearly labeled as Christian or secular. Mrs. Johnson is excellent about working backward from the student's future goals to that high school work and college eligibility aren't hindered. She also points out the 'grace' of being able to enroll in community college/junior college so that the student develops a transcript of higher level work that will provide entry to most colleges, even if Mom and Dad didn't get a bang-up job of transcripts done. (There are cautions with this last approach, too - as the author explains.) Simply, you can't go wrong with this book. If you like examples of forms - they are there. You'll also find GPA and credit hour calculation. There is a large section on actually designing of course work, including helps and samples for each academic and life-skills area. This is a college-prep book, it does not really address apprenticeship work. The Johnsons have graduated two of their five children, and have an excellent piece on their experience with merit-based scholarships."
--Pam Stauter, NYS LEAH Board
"Thank you Diana Johnson!!! Whew. Breathe. This is how I am feeling now that I have finally found a resource to calm my ‘high-school-teaching-jittery-nerves’."
"Transcripts, computing GPA’s, yearly study plans, college planning, keeping track of credits, requirements for college entrance… I was about ready to lose my mind (and I thought record keeping for grammar school was intimidating!). Since my daughter entered high school this year, I have been in a dizzy, guilt-ridden spin trying to figure out what was expected, required and/or needed."
"Although Home-Designed High School, by Diana Johnson is not jumping with intricate drawings, or colorful pictures, it gives the reader EXACTLY what is needed, and is written in a very friendly and easy-to-understand manner (I’ll trade bells and whistles for straightforward and understandable any day). I could actually picture sitting down with this calm, wonderful communicator over a cup of tea, as I felt the ‘high school stress’ begin to wash away, page after information-packed page. Diana does an uncannily great job of anticipating when the reader’s panic might spring up, and she is able to put things into perspective and offer hope, common sense, and gentle reminders that the entire ‘high school homeschool adventure’ is one that is ultimately meant to glorify God, and needs not be overwhelming."
"Diana Johnson also does a very thorough job at navigating through different homeschool techniques and methods, touching on plans that would incorporate varied approaches. Another thing I appreciate is the unbiased and candid pros and cons of each. This manual is incredibly helpful, and covers so much more than just the ‘need-to-knows’. It can be read in ‘chunks’ (it is sectioned off brilliantly for those of us anxious to hear ‘what’s what’ on particular issues), or read straight through for a well-rounded, non-intimidating concept of what is expected of high school homeschoolers; it is especially geared for the college bound student. Whether you plan to homeschool using textbooks or a less traditional approach (Charlotte Mason or Unit Studies), this book is sure to clear up any confusion and stave off those ‘high school jitters’ (or full blown panic attacks in my case). This book is a must have. Get it now, even if your students are in primary grades, and save yourself a stroke."
--Product review by Jenefer Igarashi, Senior Editor, The Old Schoolhouse™ Magazine
"Help prepare your teen for college by designing a course of study ideal for his needs, interests, and goals. Mrs. Johnson, a mother of five and veteran Christian homeschooler, explains how to: design an individualized course of study, record grades and credits, calculate a GPA, compile transcripts, and much more. She also presents course listings which use a variety of textbooks, living books, and other resources for nearly all the different subjects (grades 9-12). Incidentally, I think this course listing section is one of the highlights of the book. Reproducible forms and sample programs make Home-Designed High School a practical guide for home educators using nearly any style of study (i.e. delight-directed, unit study, textbook, correspondence, etc.). Not as thorough, in some respects, as The High School Handbook (which includes junior high information), but it has a very appealing layout, and it is easy to follow through its 200+ pages, We pray it is equally as unintimidating to apply!"
--Product description at The Book Peddler