This school year feels different. For the first time in many years, I have only one child left to homeschool.

My son graduated in May, closing a chapter that began when I first started homeschooling our children. Suddenly, our homeschool looks a little quieter, our days a little different, and I find myself feeling nostalgic about how quickly these years have passed.

Zoder Family – our son in graduation regalia plus his Emperor Banana III costume

My daughter is now in 11th grade, and her homeschool experience looks quite different from what it did when she was younger. She takes two courses at Walters State Community College through dual enrollment, attends co-op, and studies Algebra 2 with me at home. That is our one subject together at the kitchen table these days!

Tennessee’s dual enrollment program has opened up wonderful opportunities for homeschoolers. My daughter is learning college-level material while still enjoying the flexibility of homeschooling. And, perhaps just as importantly, she is gradually becoming comfortable in a college environment.

There is one memory from this year that I will treasure: on her first day, she wanted me to walk her to her classroom. I thought it was so sweet. She is growing up and becoming more independent, yet she still wanted her mom beside her for that first step.

I can be nearby in another way, too. Since I returned to college myself and take my classes online, I drive her to campus and settle into the library while she attends class. She goes to hers, I work on my own homework, and we meet up afterward. We are both students, just at different stages of life!

Saving money and time with Tennessee dual enrollment

The Tennessee Dual Enrollment Grant helps eligible high school juniors and seniors pay for college courses while they are still working toward their high school diplomas. Students apply through the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC), and the grant can cover tuition up to the program’s established limits.

Fixing his graduation regalia

In our experience, eligible students can take advantage of funding for up to five courses per year, helping reduce the cost of getting started on a college education. Grant amounts and eligibility rules matter, so families should check the current requirements before registering. The courses may also count toward a future degree, depending on the receiving college’s transfer policies.

For homeschool families, this can mean earning college credit early, potentially shortening the time needed to complete a degree and saving money along the way.

As I watch my daughter take these steps toward adulthood, I am grateful for the flexibility homeschooling gives us. I can still teach her Algebra 2 at home, cheer her on at college, and be close enough to walk her to class when she asks.

I know those days won’t last forever. For now, I’m happy to enjoy this unusual season of being both her homeschool mom and her fellow college student.