I want to homeschool my child in Southwest Missouri, high school level, any help?

Question

He will be in 9th grade for the 08-09 school year, has been home schooled since 7th grade due to violence in the public schools. I have lived in AZ and used AZVA with k-12 and Connections Academy, and am looking for similar type virtual academies, no tuition, computer assistance, they provide the books, if you are familiar with k-12 or Connections Academy, you understand. Single mother, disabled on fixed income and living with my disabled father raising my son, so funds are limited. HELP

Answer 1

Your area can not be so dangerous that he is unable to attend any school there. Many parents who were raised attending private schools or who were home schooled greatly overestimate the dangers and the lack of quality education.

Since you have been using programs to teach your son I assume you don't want to/are unable to adequately teach him just using your own knowledge? Not that I'm trying to insult your intelligence. It would amaze me that anyone would be an expert on all the subjects taught in high school. Programs can get very expensive, especially in the HS years. Most of the families I know who home school who aren't upper middle class or of higher income gave it up once their children were going into 7th grade and sent them to high school (the high school here is 7th-12th) on account of both the cost and their inability to teach high school level classes. Perhaps you want to reconsider?

Answer 2

See the following links for more information:

http://www.shemonline.org/

http://www.home-school.com/groups/MO.htm...

Answer 3

The only K12 VA in MO is in St. Louis.  I believe there is a K12 VA and a CA in the works for a statewide school.  

The only other online school is private and run by the U of MO-Columbia.  Its courses run around $350/course/semester.

I would join a MO HS'ing Yahoo Group and see if you can get more info.  I'm across the river in IL, where we don't have a statewide K12 VA either (only in Chicago).

PS - don't listen to the anti-HS'ing loonies on here.  You didn't ask for their opinions on HS'ing, did you?  Ugh.

Answer 4

What do you call the shape produced by graphing the formula y=x squared.  If you cannot answer that, get professional help with math.

As far a violence in schools goes, going to school is still safer than riding in a car.  The most important lesson your child will learn is to live in fear.  You can shield them when young, but you run the risk of turning an adult, with the life experience of a sheltered child, loose on a cruel world.

Answer 5

Your child will grow up without learning how to take care of him/herself.

This is something you CANNOT teach in home school.

Let your child take a beating if necessary.  I did, and I turned out OK.

Do the right thing and send them to school.

Answer 6

don't home school him...those kids never come out right.  They may be very intelligent and successful eventually, but their societal/interpersonal interactions are always just a bit...off.  I can usually tell within a few minutes of talking to someone that they were homeschooled.  It's something about the things they say and the way they say them.  Very self-centered even if they are being subtle about it.  Don't you have school of choice out there?  If so, there's got to be a school in your area that's not plagued by violence.

Answer 7

There really isn't one in MO (I'm in northeast OK), but there are other options.  There are plenty of curriculum choices that aren't terribly expensive, and many areas in this part of the country even have places that offer free and discounted curriculum.  It's not a public charter, but it is possible to still homeschool him.

I'd suggest going to the SHEM convention in Springfield next weekend, if you're able - even if you don't buy anything there, you'll be able to look through different curriculum choices and talk with people about different ideas.  Then, it's really not that hard to track down the curriculum - it just takes a little legwork.

http://booksamaritan.com/ offers free curriculum, and there are other places.  If you're in the Tulsa area at anytime, there are lots of places to get free and nearly free curriculum (Bibliomania, Book Benevolence, and others).  I know it's an hour or two drive, and there may be something closer to you, but if you happen to be there for anything, it may be worth looking into.

Unfortunately, not all states have the free charters - there are times I wish OK did.   It is still possible to homeschool on a really tight budget, though - we do so for under $300 per year, and my 10yo is working on a high school and even college level in math and science.  It takes a bit more sleuthing for curriculum resources on my part, but there are lots of free resources out there.

*Also - check with homeschool groups in your area.  Often there will be families willing to lend you curriculum that they're not using at the moment.  My friends and I do this with things that we buy or are given but don't use, and it works out really well.*

I know it's a transition, but I hope it works out for you.  If you can get over to the SHEM convention, you may be able to find ideas for resources that will come in handy.

Answer 8

You have to realize that if you homeschool then not all colleges will accept that.  I go to school online through an accredited high school which lets me go back to regular school if i wanted to without losing credits. So i would prefer trying to find an accredited program. Although they are expensive, about $130 per half a credit.