Is home-school the best option?

Question

i am 14 and i hate school. i missed weeks off school because i was scared to go in and it made me ill. the teachers pick on me, and i have recently been badly bullied by two girls. they would call me names at school and threaten me. i told the teacher and she said if it continued they would take severe measures. i then got abusive and threatening messages through internet and text. they then said they wanted me dead at threw rocks at my head. my mum came into the school and i had a meeting with the girls and my head of year. mum wasn't allowed to stay in the room. they denied everything and the teacher beleived them. she simply said we were all as bad as each other and to get back to class. i refused and went home with mum. as one of the girls walked past, she gave a thraetening smirk and laughed. i am scared as it hasn't been sorted at all and they want me dead. we informed the police of the cyber harrasment, but i want home-schooling. Do you think it is a good idea???

Answer 1

I think it would be better to change schools if at all possible. The problem with home schooling is you need someone to home school you. Are your parents able? Can they afford to have someone come in, a tutor of something?

I would look to a different school before I'd even consider home schooling. Not a great believer in it.

Answer 2

IF NOTHING IS BEING RESOLVED THROUGH YOUR SCHOOL THEN MAYBE TRANSFER TO ANOTHER SCHOOL, I FEEL AS THOUGH CHILDREN NOT IN SCHOOL MISS OUT ON THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERACTING WITH OTHER CHILDREN, IF YOU ARE FEARFUL OF ANOTHER SCHOOL TOO YOU MAY TRY HOMESCHOOLING FOR A YEAR OR SO BUT GET BACK IN THE SCHOOL SCENE. PICK UP A SPORT OR EXTRACIRRICULAR ACTIVITY THAT YOU LIKE AND MAKE FRIENDS IN THAT GROUP. GOOD LUCK.

Answer 3

Hi!  By Suffolk, I assume you are talking about VA.  I live near there, in NC.  I found a yahoo group for you to join that is an excellent source of information - all of the people who are a member of this particular group already homeschool in VA (and near surrounding areas) or are seriously considering it and asking questions themselves.  Yahoo groups are wonderful, because you can gain valuable knowledge from people who are in the very same situation you are at the very same area of the country.  Here's the link and good luck to you!  Nobody should have to be scared when they are trying their hardest to become a smarter and better person:

http://www.vahomeschoolers.org/support/

Answer 4

hey,i think that its not the best option. because as you are growing up,you should be able to move with different kinds of people in future.so,you should be practising it from now onwards.if you go to school daily you will get used to face different kinds of mentalities around you which wii learn you what is life which is ur ultimate goal

Answer 5

i don't think so, the child miss' out on proms, parties, things that are fun about school, friends, socializing, etc.

maybe you should go to another school, or have your problems resolved somehow, good luck to you

Answer 6

Well, it really depends. They're are a few options to this: You can either change schools [highly recommended], but, if you want to avoid this problem all together, homeschooling is great.

Right now I am enrolled on an online class at flvs.net, and what it is is a virtual school that uses the same curriculum that is used in public schools for my states. I am taught online by highly qualified and professional teachers [which excel my teachers educations at the public school I go to] and I love the class and I can actually concentrate. In fact, I love it so much, I am considering on taking all of my classes online at flvs.net next year. They count as high school credits, and it's free for my state, and colleges love home schooled children because they believe that they don't have to be "spoon fed" information like there peers in traditional schooling.

If you do happen to decide upon homeschooling, I would look in to all of the options. Four that I know of at the moment are: virtual [online] schooling, umbrella schooling [having your curriculum coming from a real school, but you do it at home], having a tutor come to your house and teach you [but these are often very expensive], and having your parents teach you.

Since you sound like your either going in, or you are in high school, I would suggest doing a virtual school because they are easier credit-wise, and I, personally, think they are great and enjoyable.

A couple sites you may want to check out are:



http://www.elearners.com/resources/k12-o...

http://distancelearn.about.com/od/virtua...

http://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp

edit: and don't worry about missing out on things: sign up for groups, sports, activities, et cetera. stay in great touch with your friends, and meet new people by hanging out with your friends and their friends. go to dances with your friends on a "buddy pass" [your friend can get these at their school so that you may go to the dance with them] go to any school games or et cetera any schools around you may have, and just stay social! but also, concentrate on your school work:]

Answer 7

So much for the "no bullying policy" in schools, eh?  Unfortunately, this scenario is far more common than people want to admit.    I'm sorry you're going through this, sweetie.  I know, first hand, what it's like.  I would have no qualms, whatsoever, about removing you from the school environment.  You'll learn far more and you won't be subject to the "wonderful social environment" that people claim you'll be missing out on.  My kids wouldn't return to school if you paid them to.  We offer them every year and it's ALWAYS a resounding "NO".

EDIT:  DO NOT worry about the socialization issue.  It's not a problem.  You're not going to stay locked away in your room with no exposure to anybody else.  My kids are constantly around other people.  They're not stuffed in a room with thirty other kids and expected to find someone to tolerate.  They all have very good friends with whom they share common interests.  The stereotypical socialization argument is just what people regurgitate when they don't fully understand the issue.  As for capability... my kids are all one to two grade levels ahead.  I don't push them.  They're just being allowed to progress at their own pace.  Furthermore, at your age, you can be predominantly self educated.  Your mom would have to keep an eye on things, but you would be responsible for whatever you learn.  Personally, I hope you go for it.  Tune out the naysayers.  They just don't get it.

Answer 8

Yes it's a good idea. There's no reason to put up with being bullied, and I truly pity the people who think that it's a fact of adult life. BS! I've had a couple of jobs where I found myself with a bad boss, did I go home and whine about it day in and and day out for years? h**l no, I quit and got a better job! Life's too short to put up with daily abuse.

Get your mum to write to your school telling them to remove you from their register (see EO link below for example letters) but make sure they sign for it so they can't pretend they didn't get it.

Then you're FREE! You can continue with the National Curriculum if you want to or you can take full advantage of your freedom and study whatever YOU want to. If you know what your dream career is you can just concentrate on that.

Find out if there's a local home ed group in your area. Good for support, advice, making friends (the kids are SO much nicer and more civilized than the little monsters you've been dealing with) and group visits and activities. Your mum will also be able to compare notes and get reassurance from other parents.

Answer 9

First, I am sure sorry to hear about what you are going through, and I hope it gets better. I am glad you have informed the police about the harrasment.

As to your question about the homeschooling, I think it may be a good idea, but let me say first, that statement has many buts .... But you may want to try a charter school, that gives you all the homeschooling materials for free. They offer classes you can take, and then you talk with your teachers about what you are learning once a month. This ensures that you are learning the right things, (what the state thinks you should learn). You can find charter schools by searching on Yahoo, or by looking in the phone book, or by asking at your local school district. There are also some online charter schools, as well as some charter schools with a real world location. Charter schools are licensed as a "real" school, and are usually associated with your local school district. They just offer an alternative way of learning.

Also, there is the socialization issue. If you homeschool, you will need to figure out a way to get out and be with other people your age. I would recommend Boys and Girls Club (found in phone book), or YMCA. You could also take inexpensive classes at your local community center or recreation center, or volunteer with other children to do a service project. You might also consider a Scouting program.

Our family had a very similar situation to yours, and decided to homeschool mainly for our emotional comfort, and to lower our stress level. It's really helped our son.

You may also be able to find local homeschooling support groups through Yahoo groups or meetup.com that offer weekly or monthly meetings.

Hope this helps.