I am usually a lurker here, and have only posted a few times. I just have a quick question for my sister/niece in TN (I am in MA). My niece is 10 and in 5th grade. They live in outside of the Nashville area. To avoid a really long post, let's just say that there have been major issues with bullying and the school not doing anything about it. So, my sister went and picked her up from school today and informed them that she will no longer be attending that school. She wants to homeschool her for the rest of this year, and send her to a magnet school next year (which she has already been accepted into for next year.) So, I told her that she would need to send a letter to the school, I have given her the hslda website to look at for regulations, etc., but I think she just doesn't know where to go from there. I told her that she would need to give my niece a little time to "de-school". Any advice with HSing in TN? Thanks for reading! Amy
I think 5th grade is a test year here if she goes through the system. I think personally, I'd register under an umbrella school like HomeLife Academy, she could then transfer "to" HomeLife, then transfer "into" the magnet school. Then I wouldn't think you'd have to deal with testing and the interference from the school district. I'd also be careful de-schooling too long if she's planning on going back to PS next year, it could put her behind.
I use Homelife Acadamy and agree that it may be a good option for her if she does not want to worry about the state testing. There is a registration fee and they will send the letter to her ps requesting transcripts and letting them know she is now in attendance with them. The laws in Tn. are pretty easy to comply with--it will be the curriculum that she will most likely have the most questions with. On this site there is a favorite website board that may let her get enough worksheets and ideas for many of her subjects. I use another site called webinstructor.com it is not free but is cheap. You can print lesson plans and worksheets from it, plus she can use videos and books from the library. If I were her I wouldn't purchase too much for half of a school year..... I also second the post above.........if she is not going to be homeschooling next year then I would not "de-school" or at least not for very long. I know several moms who did not de-school at all and had no problem with the transition. I think it really depends on the child. Finally, is there a way she can plead her case to the magnet school she will be attending? Maybe they would be willing, under the cirumstances, to let her in now. If not she could discuss subjects with them so she knows what she needs to cover the rest of the school year and maybe they can help her with books or something? I don't know if any of this helps but I hope so.....She may want to come to the site herself so she can ask any questions she needs help/advice with.
Thanks for your input everybody! I am going to send this along to my sister, and see what she decides to do! I really appreciate your help!
I am in Memphis and my son's last day of public school is tomorrow! He's beyond excited! I also just registered with Homelife Academy this past week and I am glad to see that is the one brought up on here by several different people. I hope I made the right choice since there are so many choices! Good to see others have heard good things/are using HomeLife! Any of you here in Memphis?
