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As a homeschool parent, you want to challenge your high schooler academically, prepare them for college, and help them generate an academic transcript that reflects the level of achievement they’re capable of.
That’s where Advanced Placement (AP) courses for homeschoolers come in. These are college-level courses designed by the College Board, and they’re a powerful option for homeschoolers ready to learn at a higher level.
At Bridgeway Academy, we offer accredited AP classes for homeschool to make the process seamless for your family, combining high-quality curriculum with homeschool flexibility and professional guidance.
What Are AP Classes and Why Do They Matter for Homeschoolers?
Advanced Placement classes are college-level courses created by the College Board and offered to high school students. These classes culminate in an AP exam through which students can earn college credit, depending on their score and the credit policies of the colleges they apply to.
Here’s how your homeschooler can benefit:
- Knowledge Gained: AP courses push students beyond typical high school coursework.
- College Admissions: Successfully completed AP courses strengthen academic transcripts, showing potential to college admissions officers.
- Potential College Credit: Success on AP exams can lighten your student’s course load when they attend college and reduce tuition costs (by meeting credit requirements sooner).
- Preparation for College: AP courses help build the study habits, time management, and test-taking skills your student will need in college.
Homeschoolers are fully eligible to earn AP credit — just like their peers in traditional schools — as long as they take the exam and earn a qualifying score.
AP vs. Honors vs. Dual Enrollment
When it comes to advanced high school coursework, parents often weigh the pros and cons of AP, honors, and dual enrollment. Here’s a quick comparison:
- AP Classes: AP curricula are standardized by the College Board and based on working toward a final exam. College credit is awarded based on AP exam score.
- Honors Courses: These are more challenging than most high school courses but are typically designed by individual schools, not standardized by the College Board. Therefore, they don’t typically offer college credit.
- Dual Enrollment: Here, students attend actual college classes and earn credit, typically through a local college or university. Dual enrollment can be a strong option, though priority enrollment often goes to full-time college students, making AP courses a more easily accessible option.
The best fit depends on your student’s goals and learning style.
How Can Homeschoolers Take AP Classes?
To be recognized as an official AP course, the class must follow a College Board-approved syllabus and be delivered by an approved provider like Bridgeway Academy.
While some students do self-study for AP exams, most families find that structured courses offer a more reliable path to success.
Bridgeway’s online AP courses for homeschoolers offer:
- College Board-approved curriculum
- Access to experienced teachers
- Flexible pacing that fits your homeschool schedule
Do You Have to Be Enrolled in a School to Take an AP Exam?
No. Homeschool students do not need to be enrolled in a public or private school to take AP exams.
However, they are responsible for scheduling a time to take the final exam—typically by contacting a local high school or approved testing center.
Families should begin reaching out to schools by early spring, at the latest, to ensure a spot for May testing.
What Does “AP Course Approved by College Board” Mean?
To carry the “AP” label, a course must go through the AP Course Audit process. This ensures that the class aligns with the College Board’s expectations for rigor, overall curriculum, and assessment.
Bridgeway’s AP courses are approved according to these standards, so you can be confident in the quality and legitimacy of the instruction.
| Talk to an admissions counselor to learn more. Call 1-800-863-1474, register for our next virtual open house, or request more information online. |
Benefits of Taking AP Classes as a Homeschooler
For many families, homeschool AP classes offer meaningful academic and long-term advantages:
- Opens the Door to College Credit: A strong AP exam score may fulfill college requirements, giving your student a head start on their college journey, while saving time and tuition down the road.
- Demonstrates Drive and Discipline: AP courses show colleges that your student is motivated and willing to take on academic challenges.
- Boosts Confidence and Readiness: They build study habits, time management, and test-taking experience in a college-like setting.
- Levels the Playing Field: AP courses offer homeschoolers a way to show that their academic achievement is on the same level (or higher) than that of other students.
- Reinforces Academic Identity: AP learning helps students see themselves as capable, college-bound individuals with a clear sense of direction.
- Strengthens the Family Journey: The availability of AP courses for homeschoolers gives parents confidence in their decision to homeschool, reaffirming that homeschool is a strong path to academic success.
These benefits align closely with the values and goals of many homeschool families—academic independence, excellence, and college preparedness.
Will Colleges Accept AP Credit from Homeschoolers?
Yes. Colleges and universities award AP credit based on the student’s exam score, not on the student’s schooling type. As long as a homeschooler takes the exam and earns a qualifying score, they are eligible for the same credit as students in traditional settings.
Each college sets its own AP credit policy. You can use the College Board’s AP Credit Policy Search Tool to cross-check which schools accept which AP exams for credit.
Homeschool AP Classes at Bridgeway Academy
Bridgeway Academy offers a wide range of AP courses designed to prepare students for exam success while supporting their unique learning style.
We offer:
- College Board Approval: Every AP course is reviewed and authorized through the College Board’s AP Course Audit, ensuring it meets national standards for rigor and quality.
- 1:1 Support: Students receive guidance from experienced educators who help them master challenging material and stay on track throughout the course.
- Flexible Online Format: Classes are delivered through an adaptable online platform that fits your family’s schedule and your student’s preferred learning pace.
- Accredited Transcripts: Bridgeway’s accreditation ensures that completed AP courses are reflected on a professional transcript recognized by colleges and universities.
- College Counseling and Academic Advising: Our academic advisors help students select the right AP courses, align them with future goals, and prepare strategically for college admissions.
Explore AP Classes for Homeschoolers with Bridgeway
If you’re searching for the best homeschool AP classes, consider Bridgeway Academy. With almost 40 years of support for homeschool families, one-on-one academic advising, a 96% success rate in matching students to the right curriculum and learning plan, and robust virtual and in-person communities (like Parent Connections), Bridgeway Academy’s accredited homeschool programs meet all the criteria, including accreditation by Cognia and other institutions, to help you provide a high-quality education that meets the unique needs of you and your child.
Bridgeway Academy’s comprehensive homeschool options allow you to create a high-quality, customized education experience. With everything from community groups to online classes with live teachers, we tailor our offerings to your child’s needs based on his or her learning style, personality, educational level, and future goals.
Contact us for more information by calling toll-free at (800) 863-1474 or register to attend our next virtual open house!
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