Back to PS?

[motheroftwo]

I also would have to go with the majority here, Middle school is not the time to go back to school. Instead of making your life easier you may be making it more difficult. However, no one can decide what is best for your family. Talk about it as a family, and see what is the best decision for you. Before you do sit down as a family do some research you that you can see what all the options are. Like others have mentioned, there are plenty of virtual schools, you just have to find one that works for you.

[Meggo]

Thank you everyone so much for the great feedback and encouragement! That's why I love this site. I will take the time to search out what options we have for next year at home. I don't want to send him back to PS if he's not ready, when I'm not sure I'm even ready. Definitely need to pray more about it this year and really see where God is leading our family. I know from my Bible that God doesn't often call people who feel 'capable'.

A couple questions I have: What is a charter school?

cherryridgeline- What DVDs are you using?

We briefly considered virtual academies when planning for this year, but the cost seems pretty high. Is that typical or am I not looking at the right thing?

[Jackie]

Originally Posted by mom_2_3

A virtual school is different than a charter. Usually virtual schools (at least the ones here) use K12, which I would not recommend. A local charter school is your best bet to find more flexible options, including online classes, 1x a week live classes, enrichment experiences, etc.

If I were in your shoes, I think I would try this option before sending him back to school full-time.

Not necessarily. Many (most?) Virtual Schools ARE charter schools. Local charter schools are quite varied. Where I live, there are many brick-and-mortar charter schools, as well as many Virtual ones. My oldest did this option last year, because by enrolling her in ECOT (Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow), she was able to take classes at the local college for free (PSEO program).

If you don't want to teach high school, that is quite all right, but it really is doable! There's SO MANY options for it!

[crazymama]

I think most of us were talking about virtual charter schools. These are also called cyber school.

Depending on your state you may have anywhere from no options to more than you will want to wade through. Here in PA we have some that offer K12 which is a good curriculum, some that use Connections Academy (which is my favorite of the options in our state.... it's the one I wanted to enroll Garrett into but him staying in a traditional school is best for our family), and some that offer the option of Little Lincoln or Calvert. These are really public schools, they provide all of your books and most of your supplies. Most provide a computer and give you money towards your internet. Your kid does classes on the computer and independant work that is faxed or emailed to their teacher(s).

Around here there are no B&M charter schools, but they are kind of like a private school except they are publicly funded and are part of the public school system (I think). Kids have to be accepted into them by whatever means the school has set in place.

Cherry is using BJU.

What state are you in? If you have virtual public schools they are free.

[Jackie]

No, they are not part of the public school system, though occassionally you'll find one that is. Which is why the union and public school people get upset with them. They say the money that should be going toward public schools is being diverted into charter schools.

[Laura291]

To add to your list of resources for help in teaching upper grades, check out Classical Conversations too. In middle school he'd probably attend one day per week all day long. This would give you one day per week to focus on the others. Also, Switched on Schoolhouse is a computer program which is pretty hands off for the teacher, and K12 has an independent option for home schoolers. See if there are any co-ops in your community too, where he can learn the tougher subjects.

I work almost full time and home school my 6th and 4th grader. Thankfully they share a lot of their subjects. But to juggle working and teaching, I put together a pretty detailed schedule, so my work knows when they can count on me and they know when I'm busy with kids. We also spend 1 hour before bed doing school, usually reading history or science.

Finally, our friends who have started middle school this year are ALL complaining about the homework. North Carolina (and I think many states)moved to the Common Core course of study this year, which apparently is more challenging. EVERYONE I talk with is complaining of 3 + hours of homework many nights, and homework on weekends. Heck, that's probably how many hours we homeschool, and I feel we are staying on pace. So, putting him into school you may find is even more difficult because he'll have a lot of homework in the evenings. If he's used to a quiet evening, this might be an issue!

Good luck with your decision!!!
Laura

[Shilman]

I agree that middle school is not the time to send them to ps. I also believe that high school is THE MOST IMPORTANT time to homeschool. You are so free to teach them what they need to know based on what their interests are, without the high school drama. Also, alot of the curriculum is self taught by that age. I have read articles that say alot college students who were hs'd through high school do better than the ps students. We are going to stick it out unless God changes our plans!

[Blizzard]

I'm also on the bandwagon with 6th grade being one of the worst grades to start in PS. That doesn't mean that it would be a horrible experience, just that the odds aren't good. If I was in that position, I would consider online K12, which is free, online public school or even tutoring for any difficult subjects. There are so many options now days for videos, online learning, and even online tutoring and math classes.

Just FTR, I was homeschooled and was always given the choice of PS vs. HS. I chose to go to PS in 9th grade. It was a good experience and it was the perfect time for me to make the switch, but I think that age would be different for each individual.

[Bren]

You can do it!! I was a high school drop out but I have successfully home educated my children. They are all graduated now but one and she is 15. Protecting your dc through middle and high school are just as if not more important than in the younger grades. High school has far more peer pressure than elementary grades.