I just moved to Ga. I am only going to be here for 3 mths. I checked the schools out the other day. I am fine with my 5 yr olds but the middle school needs much improvement. I have been many places and seen about everything but driving through the area where the school is made me really think hard about putting him there. Then I checked the grading system for the school it is in the 60's and 70's on everything and 75% econ. challenged. Now I am thinking about homeschooling him. Shoul I try or see if I can get him in another middle school in the area if they let me.
2006-08-20 14:22:49 · 23 answers · asked by locajennifer 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Home Schooling
If you're only going to be there for 3 months, I say homeschool him. Why have him spend those 3 months trying to integrate into a school he won't even be staying at? 13 is a tough age for school, especially starting a new school.
And don't listen to people who say his social skills will be affected. He's been public schooled for how long? Whatever social skills he picked up are not going to miraculously disappear.
2006-08-21 01:52:22 · answer #1 · answered by glurpy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was home-schooled for the last 3 years of high school, so I don't know how the middle school programs are, but I can tell you this. The decision to home school is one that only you as the parent can make. Every child is different and has their own emotional and educational needs. I know that for me it worked out really well because I am motivated and I love learning. If your child needs more structure, home schooling may not be the answer.
You could look into something like a magnet school, if they have them in Georgia. These are usually funded by the state and are put in place to balance the diversity problems facing many schools. Most usually offer some special "magnet" program that draws a specific kind of student to the school.
2006-08-21 18:08:07 · answer #2 · answered by Brandon 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know exactly what you mean I live in Cobb county school and the middle school my children will go to Smitha middle next year. It is one of the worst in the state and is now in 3rd year needs improvement so it has to offer school choice. But what choice they offer is not all that much better so me and a group of families have set up a cooperative home school. When I talked to the school the teacher even agreed with me that homeschooling would be a better option for my children.
If you are not quite sure of homeschooling check to see if the school is a failing school. If it is you may be able to transfer into a better school if they are in need of improvement for more than 3 years. The county web site will have this information. But you will need to make sure to make your decision by September 15(at least in Cobb, so check with your county) and file an intention to home school if you are not enrolled in school or you could have problems with the state.
2006-08-20 22:18:14 · answer #3 · answered by lovingmomhappykids 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi there! I live in Georgia, and my daughter just went back to school (10th grade) after 5 years of homeschooling. One of the reasons we did that was because my partner and I remember middle school to be hellish, and my stepson's experience and sister's talk of work (she's an assistant principal) let us know it hadn't gotten any better.
Homeschooling laws in Georgia are really quite easy, and much simpler than the paperwork of enrolling in and withdrawing from school. The best site for information on that is http://www.heir.org/ .
You might want to check with the school system your child will be going TO, though, just to make sure he won't have any trouble going into that system or preparing to make the transition as easy as possible.
What area are you in? There are HSing support groups in the metro Atlanta area for absolutely everybody. Some of them are statewide, although it isn't as easy to find truly inclusive groups statewide. If you're a traditional Christian, you'll find lots of support wherever you are. If you're anything else, you may have to look a bit deeper, but we're out here!
Feel free to email me, and I'll help you to find a group if you haven't already found one.
Good luck!
2006-08-21 16:59:32 · answer #4 · answered by TechnoMom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We have been home schooling our 5 children since my oldest (now 19 and graduated) was approaching school age. I suggest that you decide whether you can/want to commit the time to home schooling your 13 yr old. It takes a definite commitment. If you do, then I recommend that you do two things: 1) research the laws for your state as they apply to home schooling. A good resource is Home School Legal Defense Association (www.hslda.org); 2) get in contact with a local or state home school support group, especially if you are new at home schooling. A yahoo search can probably find one for you. The www.georgiahomeschool.com site looks like a good starting point.
Even if you choose not to home school your 13 yr old, I believe it's important to take charge of your student's education. Some public (and private) schools will try to discourage you from getting involved. But most are eager for the help. I've know of some parents who volunteer at the school so that they can help (and be close to their children).
We strongly believe that parents are the ones primarily responsible for their children's education.
We wish you the best.
2006-08-20 21:45:02 · answer #5 · answered by John G 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My parents moved to Georgia for 3 months when I was 12... my mom homeschooled me because the schools are so bad. I would say you should probably do that. We ended up moving there... lets just say I really was the smartest kid in class.. and I'm not that special anywhere else. lol. I wouldn't get a 5 year old started in there.. you can do better... that or find a private school...
2006-08-20 21:29:44 · answer #6 · answered by vanillafr0st1ng 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There are lots of materials available online for schooling and some states even have online schools available so it isn't as hard as it used to be. It might be ideal for your situation if you are comfortable with doing it.
I personally don't have the discipline to homeschool my children so I would probably start looking into local parochial schools and other schools and see if I could get a change in placement.
Good Luck!
2006-08-20 21:30:57 · answer #7 · answered by psycho-cook 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would go for SDE or Private home schooling. I'm 14 myself and went to home schooling with CSDE after being bullied in mainstream. I'm now in grade 9 and a near straight A student after being a C to A- student. It was the best Thing i have ever done. Although home schooling relies on the temperament of the student and tutor it will work for anyone who has a will to learn.
Hope it helps... and good luck with your choices
2006-08-20 21:35:30 · answer #8 · answered by webmaster_trainee 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is a hard question to answer. Can you afford to send your son to a private school for 3 months? I think I would home school, since it's only for 3 months and then you'll hopefully be in a better school district. You don't want your son to fall behind in his studies. He could end up in the slow class when you move, just because his old school was so bad. I wouldn't home school for a long period of time, but 3 months shouldn't be a problem.
2006-08-20 21:31:14 · answer #9 · answered by maigen_obx 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
They may want you to enroll him in the school in your district.
I know you say the school is in the 60th and 70th percentile for everything, however, do you have faith in your son? It may not be that the teachers are ineffective. There may also be a high percentage of special needs children, and their scores may be factored in to the average.
Call the principal of the school and voice your concerns. Ask for a tour of the school. He should be more than willing to meet with you to discuss your concerns.
Talk to people in the area, talk to parents, talk to school administrators.
You need to do that before you make your decision.
2006-08-20 21:32:46 · answer #10 · answered by AnswerMom 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋