I use a charter school, because I wanted some guidance since I was a first time hsing family. And I really didn't know where to start. There are at least 2 other schools that I could of chose from in my area. I also chose a charter school because they offer workshops in which they can get some socializing in and other learning not with me or my dh. They've taken Spanish, hands on science, pottery and theater over the last year and a half. Also cost was a factor for me. Our school pretty much provides all our textbooks, art supplies and just about anything else we need. Unless it's religion based they don't for the most part provide it. Story of the world they have provided because the print they have doesn't have the religion references. Saxon Math textbooks they provide, but not the discs that are optional since there are religious phrases through it every so often. Each of my children has a mentor teacher that backs us up and helps out if we need it. They also help with the paper work that needs to be done to satisfy our county and state. It works for our family. We enjoy our school and my kids really thrive in the environment that is there.
My sister uses a charter. It is government funded but she doesn't have the options of extracurricular activities so she takes part in another group for activites. All the supplies are provided for her children. Since it is government funded, she doesn't have to file paperwork since her children are considered part of the public system. She really liked it for many years but now she wants to go private but can't afford to. She has to meet with the instructor at least once a month and the children are tested regularly. The instructor she has now is really helpful but the one she had before wasn't much help. All charters differ so a person needs to look around to make sure the one they are choose is a fit for the family.
My sil is also part of an on-line charter school. As stated, these kids ARE CONSIDERED PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS. In Ohio, that means they are required to take tests that HS'ed kids do not. For my sil, she's a little frustrated in that she doesn't have the flexibility she sees in my schooling. I have invited her to do things (like going apple picking), but she couldn't, because she says they're "always" having to take some kind of test, and "must" be on the computer at a specific time on a specific day. Also, the computer went down for a while, and she was expected to keep up anyway, and double up the lessons until she got caught up. Her younger kid has special needs that are still being diagnosed, but he is still expected to learn everything on the school's time schedule, not his own.
Jackie yours sounds like my friend's experience with the charter or umbrella schools. She had to be on demand practically for the "teacher" online. I am not sure but I THINK she is doing sOS this year and its working for her extremely bright add + more letters type child>
We are with a Charter in SoCal after 8 years of doing it on our own in MI - there were several reasons we opted for it, the biggest one was (I'll fully admit) the funds. We had $0 when we moved, and no way to buy books, do extra curriculars, or anything. It just wasn't going to happen. A friend from scouts talked about her charter, and another friend and I went to check it out. We loved it. It all depends on the charter. Our is a public school charter, but gives me full control. If I want to use religious curricula, I can, but the school can't buy it, and I can't include it in our porfolio. So last year, we did the Sonlight Eastern Hemisphere (or what ever it is called) and I bought the lesson plan, and had the school buy the literature we used. That saved me a few hundred bucks right there! So I get to pick all my curricula, set up my homeschool how I want, and then we meet 7-8 times a year for a conference. Plus, the school helps pay for extra curricula classes (like Tae Kwon Do and Dance) and it also offers classes on campus, like art and Spanish. The only down side is we just moved further north this year, and now it is an hour drive to get to the school. We need to find a charter closer to us and I an DREADING it. We really love our charter - they have a great program that works well for us. That is the key - YOU have to like the charter program you end up with, or it is not going to work. Best of luck!
