Is homeschooling the better option?
218559
Yes I think it is, you can concentrate on your kids better :)
493150
I had the same problem when I was a kid.  If you want to be homeschooled then you are going to have to convince your parents that it is the best option for you.\n\nShow that you can learn on your own.  Set out to learn something that is not being covered at school, write a report about it and give it to your parents.\n\nYou should also find some group activities to get involved in which will replace the social interaction your parents seem to be worried about.\n\nAlso, show them the facts about homeschooling.\n\nhttp://www.hslda.org/docs/nche/000010/200410250.asp\n\nhttp://www.hslda.org/research/ray2003/Socialization.asp
625608
I know what you mean! I had to start hs my 7 yr dd cause the school would not help with her learning problems.\nFirst, each state has a homeschool agency with a website. I guess google your state name and add 'homeschool agency' . This should have the laws listed, forms to download and copy, etc.\nSecond, NEVER have anything to do with the public schools ever again LOL\nNa, really, the law in my state is that the schools are not legally required to help anyone who homeschools, but they can at their discretion. Wouldn't hurt to ask.\nAnd, I don't have much money either. So here's what I have learned.\n1. There are SO MANY websites that you can use for every subject! I use the internet a LOT for school! The problem I have wiht this though, is it takes SO MUCH of my time searching and finding what to use. I guess this is what I have to do cause I don't have much money!!\n2. EBAY!! I buy books, workbooks, supplies, etc.\nI can't buy any kind of curriculum so I mix it up and use whatever.\n(you have to make sure of your state laws allow this)\n3.Do free field trips, grocery store outings, library, hospital tours, go to courthouse, post office, bank, etc. On your own and have field days at these places.\nUse chalk outside to do math, spelling words etc. Go outside for science nature walk and make collage with what you find.\n4. Join a local homeschool group. They are wonderful! You get together with other kids and have fun days, field trips, do classes together, PE, art, 4H, girl and boy scouts, etc.\nI thought public school had more to offer than homeschool, but NO WAY!!\n\nDoing all these things, I have spent less than $75 for a whole year, plus most of the things I bought can be used for years to come. (I know $75 is a LOT but I managed somehow?)\nsome people spend up in the thousands doing this.\n\nIf your children have learning problems, schools do NOT help with this. Oh they say they do but belive me they don't. Anyway, homeschool is so much better for learning problems IF you know what the problem is and if you KNOW WHAT to do for the problem.\nAnd, all children have their own 'learning style' and schools only cater to ONE style- reading and writing. What about the kids who learn better visually, verbally, auditory? \nThat's the problem my dd had, and now I can choose what, how, when, etc on teaching her to learn in the way she learns best.\nNow, she's doing so much better than she would EVER do in public school.
131372
Actually, homeschoolers are enrolled as part-time students when they take classes at public schools. First check your state standards as to what you are required to do to set up your homeschool. Homeschool Legal Defense Association could point you in the right direction. Then contact your school district and find out what classes your child could take. Some districts will only allow hs'ers to take extracurricular classes.\n\nThen figure out what kind of homeschool you want to set up. Do you want your child to direct her own learning, do you want her to fill out worksheets and take tests, do you want her to do unit studies, do you want to unschool her (probably not from what you've said)? Do you like history based studies, literature based studies, or something more math and science driven? Are you looking for Christian curriculum or secular?\n\nOnce you have a little direction, jump on the internet and start searching. Find out if there will be a curriculum fair or convention before you buy anything. And always try to find used curriculum and talk to the person who used it. See what they thought of it and if they'd recommend it.\n\nOh, and see if you can find a homeschool support group near you. Those moms will have a wealth of information. Hope this helps.
661936
Private schools are ok but in my opinion public provides much more. A child can learn equalllly as much in either but the key is parent involvement. I like the public system is better it also prepares your child for the real world. Public schools are not as strict, sheltered, nor calm as public much like real life. THe ultimate choice is the parent again I stress Parent involvment.
29139
HEY! I'm homeschooled! I socialize! my parents answer the questions i don't understand, but i mostly solve them myself.
633875
If you are under the age of 18, your parents decide where you should go to school. However, if you are a good speaking terms with your parents, a frank discussion of the choices may be in order. Remember, your parents have your best interest at heart. \nYou mentioned that your mom wants to homeschool you. There may be other homeschooling families with kids your age. You may be able to study with them and participate in activities as well. It may be worthwhile to check out.
446508
ok i believe you :-) what's homeschool like?
115559
I homeschool my two boys and the lady I sit for pays me extra to hs her dd for preschool.  I HIGHLY recommend you hs if you have the will and the ability.  Two big things to remember with hsing at ANY level is: one day at a time...you're not talking about geometry and calculus yet.  Second...it's not forever unless you want it to be.  She can re-enter public school when she is ready.  You can email me, I started hsing my now 4th grader when he was in K.  He has TONS of confidence, he gets ONE  ON ONE education, I teach him the way he learns best, rather than plunking him down in a group of 30 kids and droning on at a chalk board...I use manipulatives, pc programs, games, baking to learn fractions, printouts from sites like enchantedlearning.com etc etc.  When he needs a break, he gets one.  We hs year round, so he doesn't forget half over the summer, but our hs days are short.  He learns things he WANTS to learn about.  When he showed an interest in pirates, we got books from the library, coloring pages from the internet, we built a ship, made our own course on a map, created a flag, etc etc.  HSing is the BEST at your dd's age, because you can take ALL the pressure off of her, and teach to what she needs, one thing at a time if you like.  If she is currently crying over math, take a break from the usual math stuff, and play dice games instead!  Just because it's fun, doesn't mean you can't use it for school.  Think outside the box, teach her fast math skills by having her play games!  Teach her spelling by only drilling in the car, and make it fun!  See what I mean?  And don't let the folks that know NOTHING about hs except for the freaks they find on tv worry you about socialization.  There are hs groups in your area to help.  There are groups online.  There are church groups and public sports and music lessons and play groups for socialization.
146406
I used the Alpha Omega Curriculum for awhile when I home schooled. It covers so much, but my kids got bored with the workbooks. I tried to liven it up with hands on activities. you can homeschool anywhere. just check out the local laws to make sure you are in compliance. If you feel strongly about homeschooling, don't let others opinions get you down. You have to do what you feel is best. It should be no problem for your nephew to get into University. Just keep good records. The system you are enrolling him in may keep records for you to be used as a transcript. It may cost extra but might be worth it. Homeschooling can be done at your pace so you can achieve alot quickly. There is soo much curriculum out there and book to help you along the way. Check the web you'll be amazed at all there is. Good Luck and Don't give up!! Homeschooling is very rewarding!
606797
I'm convinced- but I homeschool my kids and they can actually read, write, do math- all the stuff they don't care if you learn in "real" schools anymore.
468622
Not only are homeschooled students as capable of getting into an Ivy League school as a public schooled student, they are perhaps more apt to get into a Ivy League School as opposed to public school student. \n         A friend of mine who is a college recruiter and admissions coordinator put it this way. "If I had the opportunity to enroll a student who has been homeschooled v. a public school student, I take the homeschooled student." "Why" I exclaimed "Because a homeschooled student reads 2-3 grade levels above his/her chronological age; they have read the harder materialsthat a private university is going to DEMAND. Most have one if not two foreign languages under their belt, they have been active in their community, and they have their head scewed on straight with a great support system @ home - it's a slam dunk win-win situation for school and student." was his reply.\n    Having tutored home school students for many years and seeing some of them going onto Ivy League or near Ivy League universities and lead their classes, I can say without reservation that homeschoolers excell in the environment of the Ivy League university in a way that a public school student are not encouraged to by the public school system.
122972
I have homeschooled for years now.  I hear from my old fart neighbor "When are you going to let them go back to school?"  Ugh.  It never ends.  I just don't broadcast it to the locals because THEY choose to be close minded and to not educate themselves about hsing.  Consider this 'comeback' as it's my best one:  My son gets a one-on-one education.  It's better than a private tutor.  He is fully socialized as he can go to church, soccer, chess club, library groups, the local rec center programs, 4H and scouts."  Folks that flip out and bring up socialization usually just grab that word because everyone that knows little about it uses it.  Good luck and you can email me for any help you need.
614401
Check out Accelerated Christian Education, or ACE.  Their curriculum is designed for the student to work at their own pace.  I graduated from high school as a homeschooler and loved it.  Actually finished a year early and got a free ride to college!  Definitely check it out.
413219
Corey,\n\nI was homeschooled until age 14.  If your mother wants to teach you, make sure she has a teaching degree.  If not, tell her she isn't qualified to teach.  I stopped homeschooling when I was 14 because my parents couldn't teach me anything else.\n\nYou might graduate faster.  I started going to college and working part time when I was 16.  The biggest draw back is that homeschooling causes you to accelerate in education, but hinders your social skills.  Everyone of the people who tell you that they have been through homeschool and loved it are what I like to call "social retards".  They may be book smart, but ask them how many friends they have and you'll start to realize my point.\n\nThere is more to schooling than education.  It is a time in your life where you need to learn how to interact with people your own age and develop social skills that you will need the rest of your life.  Imagine graduating early and starting college young.  How many friends do you think you'll make when you look like you should still be in highschool?  How will you deal with a classroom full of people that you don't know?\n\nI mean this in all seriousness: based on your spelling and sentence structure, I think you need to go somewhere with qualified teachers to help you learn.  If you are smart, you can still graduate early.  There are advanced classes for people who do well.  You'll also get to experience things like school dances, sports, trading lunches, skipping class, getting sent to the principle's office and most importantly, making friends with kids your own age.  Go to public school.  Trust me.
327384
I "homeschool" my two kids age 9 and 11.  I don't know why I call it homeschooling as we are never home.\n\nOn monday my kids take classes at Masters Academy of Fine Arts, on tuesday my kids take fencing and do other physical activities like track, on Wednesday we try to stay home and get course work done, On thursday My son takes Academic Middle school classes, and I usually have lunch with my daughter, on friday, we try to see a museum or some kind of hands on education.  In addition to this my daughter takes classes online.\n\nWe are very active in church, hang out with homeschool friends, my son is in our youth group and goes on lots of outings and my daughter will be competing in a pageant soon.\n\nSo you see, homeschooling does not necessarily mean the child will be a social outcast.  Your child will be as outgoing as you are.\n\nMy kids were average in school, with hyperactivity medications recommended for my daughter.  I saw excellence in them and so we homeschooled.\n\nChildren tend to give to you what you expect from them.
464022
You know in your heart what the right thing to do is--listen to it and not any amount of rationalizing by either side.\n\nIf your heart is telling you it's time to pull him from school, then it's time. Since you aren't planning on doing it until this school year is over, you are giving yourself a great start.\n\nI would recommend first of all to find some homeschool groups in your area, or at least websites. They can give you more information about the options there, plus you can get information from those who are homeschooling in California about their experiences with one form or another. If you can meet up with other homeschoolers for park days or other things, you can get a better feel for how it all works.\n\nI would say don't worry about him being really smart and trying to keep up to him. First of all, if he's that smart, he'll end up likely doing the bulk of his stuff on his own and you won't even necessarily need to understand one iota of what he's doing. When I was in jr and sr. high school, the teachers, for the most part, didn't teach me a whole lot more than what I had already learned from the textbooks. It's what the better students tend to do--they learn on their own. Not to mention that there are a multitude of programs out there where other people are essentially in charge of teaching the subject--I'm thinking mainly online programs, but there may be other programs near you where he can go into a group session once a week to get some lessons then does his work on his own for a week, or even just a private tutor situation. There are lots of possibilities, even the possibility of sending him back to school at a later point.\n\nTo get started on homeschooling information, I think I'd start here:\nhttp://homeschooling.about.com/About_Homeschooling.htm . As I recommended above, do try to find a homeschool support group in your area and learn about the laws and options where you live. And take nay-sayers opinions with a grain of salt. :)