Homeschooling...?

Question

i've gone to a public school my whole life. However, these last couple of years the drama and nonsense of the school has been driving me crazy. There's about 3 and more fights a day, bomb threats about everyother month. We couldn't even take our back packs to school thelast 2 weeks of school because things are so bad. The school just got rebuilt last year yet, there is writing all over the wall. I would like an alternative. I don't want to look back on my school days and think of how awlful they were, or worse get caught up in the crowd. So, if anyone knows anything about homeschooling, or why it migh be better pllleeaaasee help!

Answer 1

Homeschooling would definitely offer you a chance at being safer and at actually being able to focus on your studies instead of worrying about what might happen next.

See if you can find a local homeschooling support group and ask them about the laws and options where you live. If you are interested in perhaps doing online learning or tied with a school, check with www.k12.com to see if it's available where you live or with your state education site, with your local school district (they might have some sort of at-home program where you would submit your work once a week) or see if there's a virtual charter school there. These will all be free if available. Other than that, you might start looking at other places where you have to pay. American School of Correspondence seems to be fairly popular.

Also, if you do this, make sure to maintain some sort of social life: volunteer, work, participate in community or homeschool activities, etc. Being homeschooled shouldn't mean being cut off from the world.

Of course, you'll need to talk to your parents about this, too!

Answer 2

Go to the Home School Legal Defense Association website ( www.hslda.org) and find your state. Read up on the laws on how to homeschool where you live. Get some homeschool organization information. Gather some information on correspondence schools, or other options. Sit down with Mom & Dad and let them know how you feel. You'll have all summer to explore the possibilities, and start fresh in the fall.

You have absolutely NOTHING to lose by choosing to homeschool. Many colleges are now seeking out homeschoolers, making special homeschool admission processes, etc. You will have NO problem getting into a good college. Don't worry about socialization. You have friends now, you'll have friends later. What will change is how you are motivated, and who you are motivated by. It's not for everyone, but if you are motivated (and it sounds like you are), you'll be successful. Good luck.

Answer 3

Contrary to others thoughts there is not "absolutely no socialization"! You still have friends and family, right? So how is going to a school where you can't even take your bookbag to school or have to worry if there will be a bomb threat today the best kind of sociallization????

If you really would like to homeschool then there are many many many homeschool programs that you can graduate with a diploma just like all those attending your public school!

www.christianlibertyacademy.com/ - 8k

www.thegraceacademy.org/ - 31k

www.homeschoolacademy.com/ - 19k

www.heritagehomeschool.com/ - 26k

www.abbahomeschool.com/ - 39k

I just went to google and typed in homeschool academy.
Good luck. Don't just settle for the first one you find, as some are very expensive and others are not! Oh www.pennfoster.com is also an option!

Answer 4

I had the same problems at my high school. I fianlly took initiative and did something about it. There are many options for you. The route that I took was an online school. Its called Richard McKenna Charter. The great thing about it is you are in a comfortable enviroment (home) and you can work ahead to finish credits early. Theres also traditional "homeschooling", but a parent has to constantly monitor your work. Or you could go get your GED. School should be a place where you feel safe and want to learn. It sounds like its becoming a place where you do not want to be. That will soon affect your education id you don't do something about it. I suggest online school. Its the same as a traditional school, just on the internet. You get a High School Diploma and everything when you graduate. Hope this helps and good luck!

Answer 5

Wow! This is like looking in a mirrior. Some of the reasons you're giving for believing you need to get out of your public school are the same reasons I left my public high school last year.

Often people ask about the advantages and disadvantages of homeschooling. I always include not being threated by shootings, bombs, or fights like in public school. Some people probably think I'm joking around, but it's the truth.

I've also met a couple homeschoolers in my year home that have said they don't like homeschooling and want to go to a public school. I tell them my memory of sitting in the lunch room around the table with my friends, none of them talking, just watching the actions of all the people around us, giving nervous glances to one another, trying to laugh it off, but all trying to decide what we'd do if someone actually did pull a gun out at lunch like the rumor said. The people I tell that to begin to rethink going to public school after I tell them that.

But, that's not you're question, so I'll try to give you some answers now. Homeschooling comes in many different forms. You can learn from books, dvds or videos, online, computers, and just about any life experience. Different solutions work for different people. Since I'm really not sure what you're situation is at home or academically, I can't give you an exact answer now.

Another thing I stongly recomend is that you find a homeschool group to become involved in. These groups may offer classes, sports, and/or fun activities to interact with other homeschoolers.

If you have anymore questions you can e-mail me.

Good luck with your decision.

Answer 6

You need to do a little research so that you can prepare a case for your parents. There are many different methods that you can use. And you don't have to have a diploma to get into college. Most will accept a portfolio of work and SAT scores.

First, you need to go here:
http://www.hslda.org/Default.asp?bhcp=1
and learn about the laws for your state.

Secondly, you need to go to the library and gets some books on homeschooling. They will have lots of information resources. My favorite introductory book to homeschooling is "So You're Thinking About Homeschooling?" by Lisa Whelchel.

Then it is time to get your parents involved if they aren't already. Discuss with them the reasons you want to homeschool. Work together to decide on a curriculum and expectations. The average high school homeschooler works on school 4 to 5 hours a day. Encourage them to read the books that you have.

Obviously, all of the danger and pandemonium at school is distracting you from being able to learning. With homeschooling you definitely wouldn't have to put up with all that, not would you have to deal with the awkwardness that comes with switching schools. Homeschooling can give you the option and ability to take more time on subjects you have a problem with, move on quickly from subjects you already grasp, and explore where your interests lie.

Good luck! You can also get lost of information from this website:
http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/

Answer 7

Homeschooling is great. If you are in high school I would recommend American School of Correspondance. You can get it finished fast. I started ninth grade in August 2006, and i will be graduating in May 2007. Here is the website. http://www.americanschoolofcorr.com/flash/am_school.html And it's work you can do yourself, so if your parents work they won't have to worry about teaching you. My mom has never had to help me. We just make monthly payments. So its very affordable. And about college, it's not hard to get in at all. There are people in my school program that have gone to Harvard, Yale, and probably even others. I went to public school for the first six or seven years of my life, and now that I am homeschooled I am absolutly learning a whole lot more. And for me socialization has been no problem at all. When I was going to public school I was very shy, and it took a while to get to know me. Now that I am homeschooled I am more outgoing, and it has really helped my social skills. It has taught me how to be more kind and considerate. I hope this helps!

Answer 8

If I were you, I would gather some info on homeschooling-- some books from the library, some website links to homeschool sites, some pamphlets from umbrella schools or online courses, find some local homeschool groups, and of course, get your state homeschool laws and requirements (simply write and request a packet from the local board of ed., or look them up on line).

After you've looked it over a bit and are certain it's what you want, and then approach your parents and talk to them. Tell them what you've learned about homeschooling and why you would prefer it. Provide them with some of the resources and ask them to look it over so that you can discuss it together and make informed choices together.

Good luck
MSB

Answer 9

I've been homeschooled my whole life and everybody thinks that I am so lucky. All my friends wish that they were homeschooled 'cause of all the bad stuff going on at school and especially at high school. Right now I am doing something called PennFoster. You sign up for it and you study in your books and then go online to your own homepage that you get and do your exam. The second that your done with the exam, you get your score, just like that. it's awesome. And with PennFoster online high school you get done in three years. But if you've already done a few years of high school then you have to give them your school records and then they will give you things for your grade. You can do school whenever you want! If you have one year left in high school, you could get it done in like five months. Check it out. i hope this helps.

Answer 10

Homeschooling is a viable alternative if you are a self-starter and your parents get involved.

There are on-lines course. Accredited courses such as the ones from Florida that offer a legitimate diploma. There are CD courses, book based courses. It's going to cost a little money.