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High school pathways: College Prep, Trades, Business

Every pathway uses the same 9–12 core classes. The pathway decides which electives and outside experiences fill the rest of the transcript. You, the parent, are the school of record: you choose the pathway, award credits, and sign the transcript.

How credits work: one Carnegie unit (1.0 credit) is the traditional measure of about 120 hours of instruction over a school year. Half-year courses are 0.5. Life Academy courses list their hours and mastery checks so you can award credit with evidence. Graduation requirements are set by each state (and by colleges for admission), so compare this map with your state’s homeschool rules.

College Prep

For students applying to 4-year colleges. Includes four math credits, three or more lab sciences, and two years of the same world language (Spanish I–II), which many admissions offices expect.

Trades

For students heading toward apprenticeships, technical college, or skilled work. Keeps a strong core and adds hands-on career and technical education (CTE) hours documented from outside providers.

Business

For future owners and managers. Centers the Business & Economics course, statistics, personal finance, and a real small-business project.

Credit map (24 credits)

Area	College Prep	Trades	Business
English (Grades 9–12)	4.0	4.0	4.0
Math	4.0 (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Precalculus/Statistics)	3.0 (Algebra I, Geometry, applied math)	4.0 (including statistics)
Lab science	4.0 (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Capstone)	3.0	3.0
Social studies / history	4.0	3.0	4.0
World language (Spanish I–II)	2.0	optional	2.0
Life Skills (0.5 per year)	2.0	2.0	2.0
Business & Economics (36 weeks)	1.0 elective	1.0 elective	1.0 required
Driver Education (classroom/theory)	0.5 elective	0.5 required	0.5 elective
CTE / work-based learning (outside providers)	—	4.5 (apprenticeship hours, dual-enrollment trade courses, safety certifications)	—
Other electives (STEM, arts, dual enrollment, business project)	2.5	3.0	3.5
Total	24.0	24.0	24.0

Honesty note: Life Academy does not teach hands-on trade skills such as welding or electrical work, or behind-the-wheel driving. For those, document hours from an outside provider (apprenticeship, technical college, licensed driving school). Then list them on your transcript as CTE or work-based learning credit.

Credit-bearing electives on this platform

Business & Economics: 36 weeks, 1.0 credit. Includes the legal and tax module (permits, sales and use tax, resale certificates, deposits, estimated and self-employment tax, insurance, bookkeeping).
Driver Education: theory modules plus the insurance and defensive driving module, 0.5 credit. Permit tests are set by each state; see your state’s DMV handbook.
Spanish I–II: 2.0 credits.

Put it on the transcript

Use the high school transcript. Tick your pathway at the top, then list each course with its credit. Keep your evidence: gradebook printouts, project files, and outside-provider hour logs.