High school is when the flexibility of homeschooling really shines. As you work towards state graduation or college acceptance requirements, you can design a transcript that reflects your teen's unique gifts and calling.
For example, awarding a health credit is a fantastic opportunity to teach teens valuable life skills that will draw them closer to God and protect their wellness for decades to come. And unlike many subjects, health is one where you can pull from multiple resources to build a well-rounded credit rather than relying on a single textbook.
Here's how to use Master Books to cover the full spectrum of health, including nutrition, fitness, safety, and wise decision-making — confident that your entire course is aligned with Biblical wisdom.
Start with a Strong Foundation: Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology Vol. 1
This 1-credit course for grades 9–12 explores the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, and nervous systems of the human body. It gives your teen a solid scientific understanding of how their body works, which is the natural starting point for any health-related credit.
There are three products you can layer depending on your goals:
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Curriculum Pack with Teacher Guide and Student Book— Stop here if you want a text-based science credit without labs.
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Academy Course with online videos, scheduled labs, and guided lab demonstrations — Stop here if you want to see the labs demonstrated without doing them yourself.
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Supply Kit with all the specimens and equipment needed for the labs — Add this if you want hands-on experience and a lab science credit.
This layered approach means you're not locked into one track. You choose the level of depth that fits your teen’s future plans.
"This Anatomy and Physiology course was very well laid out and easy to follow with very balanced time requirements. The tests, reading and course material all made sense while being challenging at the same time. I would highly recommend this course." — Julie
Add Health-Focused Resources for a Health Credit
Combine your Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology course with one or more of these resources to award a half or full credit of health on the transcript.
1. Living Healthy
Format: Paperback 1-year curriculum → Buy it here
Voted #1 Health and Wellness curriculum (high school) in the Teach Them Diligently Family Favorites Awards
Author Melanie Utley (a certified personal trainer with a degree in family and consumer science) sees health as a life skill rather than just a subject. This Creator-honoring course covers exercise, nutrition, personal health, and environmental health and safety; including topics like reading nutrition labels, building a strong immune system, first aid, conflict resolution, and more. See the Look Inside for the full table of contents.
Living Healthy was originally designed for younger students, but Utley uses it with her own high schooler and recommends these additions to match the academic rigor your teen is ready for.
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Add a first aid, Stop the Bleed, or CPR certification class. The curriculum already covers first aid basics (scrapes, cuts, choking, stings, burns), so a hands-on certification through your local Red Cross or fire department is a natural extension.
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Assign written papers for each unit. The four units (exercise, nutrition, personal health, and environmental health/safety) each offer plenty of material for a research paper or essay. Let your teen choose the most interesting topics. Pair this with Language Lessons for a Living Education (levels 9–12) for instruction in research writing and citation styles. Now you have a cross-curricular assignment that develops advanced writing skills.
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Have your teen prepare healthy meals for the family. The nutrition unit covers protein, carbohydrates, fats, serving sizes, reading nutrition labels, and making better food choices. Meal planning and preparation turns that knowledge into a practical life skill.
These additions deepen the coursework and round out a high school health credit. Working at an accelerated pace, your teen can move through the core material efficiently while the supplemental work brings it to a high school level of rigor.
Watch the Full Interview with Author Melanie Utley
"I purchased Living Healthy for my 7th grader. My husband overheard us learning together and came and joined in. Then my 11th and 10th grader wanted in on the fun! What started as an individual subject has turned into one of our favorite family activities." — Mary Clare
2. Strength and Conditioning
Format: Online video course → Enroll here
Your instructor, Coach John Stamper, says, “This course teaches you to train yourself for any sport or activity — focusing on strength training and physical conditioning. To help you reach that goal, I’ll lead you through 36 weeks of lessons and workouts where we’ll discuss the different systems in the body and how they work together, along with common training methods.”
“Mr. Stamper was fantastic! It covers everything — muscles, safety, specific sports, etc. This course makes you a better person, no matter where you start!” — Monica
3. Quick Answers to Social Issues
Format: Paperback non-fiction → Buy it here
A fantastic conversation starter, addressing some of the toughest moral questions facing teens. Select the chapters on health and the human body to supplement your course.
"This book is an awesome resource to use with your preteens and teens! The answers might be quick, but they are packed with so much insight and info. I love how they prepare our kids to deal with and respond Biblically to the social issues that are thrown at us. Not only that, but it has sparked some wonderful conversations with my kids." — jesusfreak
Build a Homeschool Health Credit Your Way
That's the beauty of homeschooling: you're not limited to a single pre-packaged credit. Mix and match these resources to create a course that fits your teen's interests, your family's values, and the requirements on your radar. Whether your teen needs a health credit, a lab science credit, or both, Master Books gives you the tools to build it with confidence.
