From public to home school today during the middle of the semester.?

Question

My son had attended structured school his whole life ie: catholic school, then at 6th public when we moved to PNW. Then attended a Charter school, this year asked to go to public I let him go worst thing I could have done! He got in with bad kids etc.... I ended up having to take him to a wilderness camp, he has been home for 1 week and has asked to be homeschooled. My daugher attends a Christian school, and I don't know where to start or even if I can do this in the middle of a school semester.I was just going to let him finish off the rest of the year at a diff. school. I'm a widow trying my hardest to do my best with a 14yr old and a 6. Any advice would be great, I was going to enroll him today and after hearing his concerns with public I understand. Taking a child from structure to non is very hard and confussing as I have found out the hard way. Any advice would be great as where to start etc.. Thank You~

Answer 1

You've received some good advice on where to find info.  I'm assuming that you are able to be home during the day, because if you need to work I would have real concerns about a child who has had problems and is now wanting to be home, which would seem to translate to alone.

Middle school is an awful time in a kid's life.  And when you mass that many adolescents together -- yuck!!  If you can swing it, I would definitely bring him home.  Make sure you understand the law and have done everything you need to before you withdraw him from the system, so that you don't have any legal battles to fight.  For the rest of the year, I'd let his interests guide you.  Does he like soccer?  Use it as PE.  Study different countries where soccer is the national sport.  Find out the history.  Read biographies of soccer stars.  Write about the sport.  You get the idea.  Just make sure you can see how this fulfills your state's requirements.

Also, find a support group in your area.  Ask at your church to see if there are supportive people there.  Homeschooling can be very challenging when I have a husband's shoulder to cry on and his back up to count on. It will be a special challenge without a spouse.  But, God's grace is there if this is what you are to do.  I would simply tie into your local support group sooner rather than later, even contacting them before your son is officially homeschooled.

Answer 2

You need to start by finding out the laws in your state.  You can view them at http://www.hslda.org/hs/state/default.as...

In your son's situation, I think you could use a month or so of downtime.  That will give you time to do research on how to go about teaching him and give him time to adjust and recover from his negative experiences.  This is known as deschooling.  

Your son can spend this time reading books, working on projects and pursuing some of his interests.  If your son gets behind in work he can always do a bit of work over the summer.

At your son's age he should be able to work mostly independently, with a little supervision from you to make sure he stays on track.  You may want to look at an online or textbook curriculum.  

Here are some descriptions as well as a list of popular programs:

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/...

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/...

You can definitely do this.   Just take it one step at a time!

Answer 3

If he wants to homeschool, it's probably the best option for him. At that age, the more you can responsibly let them decide for themselves, the better for everyone.

First, find out what the laws are in your state. That's legal stuff that you need to read yourself. Then both you and your son should do some reading, online will do, to find what sort of program to follow. I expect you'll both have different ideas, so discuss how you both came to your decision, then you'll be able to find a compromise that you'll both (and the government) will be happy with. You might buy a boxed curriculum, "unschool,"  follow the Classical method, Charlotte Manson method, Waldorf/Steiner or any other combination. Familiarise yourselves with the options, and join a homeschool group if possible.

The middle of semester is as good a time as any to start :) He won't get "behind" because there is no one to compare to. The great thing about homeschooling is that you can all move on at your own pace. Until you've decided on a plan of action, let him stay home and read, cook dinner, hang out and de-stress.

Basically, you'll operate much the same way as you did when he was a tot. You'll watch, help when he needs help, avoid helping when he doesn't need help and provide encouragement and resources as he needs them. It's just that the topics under investigation, and the resources are different to what they were. Back then, the topics under investigation were pulling books off the shelves. Now it's reading the books :)

Answer 4

Bless your heart!

You are making some good choices here.

You are in a tough spot. I prescribe a bubble bath for his mom, first thing!

Then, let him de-school a bit. Spring Break time is here anyway. Let the detox happen for about a month. During that time, ask him to research his options on his own time. You do the same. Have a meeting once a week and find out what he has read, what documentaries he has watched, websites he has frequented etc. This will give you a good grasp of his interests and clues to how he learns.  Choose some outside activities and try them out. Pick at least one that is physical. There is nothing better for combating stress. Look up the local support group. Tell him and tell yourself, "You can do this". Those are the magic words. At the end of the month you'll have more answers and more questions, but you'll be making progress.

Answer 5

If you have time (not working, etc.) then homeschool him.  It will be good for him to be with his family.  You can (somewhat) control his influences.  Check with your state, and get a curriculum.  Homeschooled children do just as well on standardized tests as public/private schooled children.  If you do homeschool, be responsible and devote a designated time and place per day for this to take place.  If money isn't an option, place him in a Christian school.  That route may give him the discipline and routine he needs.  Research and personally visit every school you consider.  All Christian schools are not necessarily "strict" just because they are Christian.  We have all heard stories about Catholic school girls! Good luck.  That age is tough with even the best of circumstances.