Should I decided to be homeschooled? And where do I start?

Question

I'm going into the 8th grade, and I've decided that I want to be home schooled. Why? Because I care very much about my education, and my school lacks in giving me the education that I want and need. My school gives me all the basics of education, but I really feel like the aren't focusing on what I want to do in the future, let only my career, which I am very eager in learning about. Anyway, I researched home schooling on the internet, and I really think that it is something that I'm willing to do. My mother is on the "ifs" about the whole thing but I think if I explain it to her well enough, she will understand. Do you think my decision is the right thing to do? And if so where do me and my mom start? Any specific websites/ places would be good. Oh, and also if it's ok/ legal to do in my state-I live in D.C. if thats helps.

Thank you so much for reading, I really appreciate the help! :)

Answer 1

In my opinion, if you are concerned about your future education, then home-schooling is not the right option.  I feel that you will have an easier time getting into a good college with an education from a public or private school.  Also, the teachers who are the best are those who are very passionate at what they do...not someone who is on the "ifs".  Therefore, even if your mom is the smartest women on earth, she may not make the best teacher because she is lacking the passion to educate.  I would stay in the school system.

Answer 2

Yes! I started homeschooling this year and I love it. I haven't loved school so much since kindergarten! After being in the school system you won't ever feel ready enough to start, but the most important thing is that you start.

There are several ways to homeschool besides for the traditional school-at-home way. There are homeschoolers (mostly teens) who do school online if you enjoy the structure of school, but wish to work at your own pace (or in your pajamas.) There are homeschoolers whose parents hand out assignments and give grades based on curriculums you purchase (school-at-home homeschooling.) There are unschoolers who don't have any assignments or grades (a fantastic book on this subject is Grace Llewellyn's "The Teenage Guide to Liberation.") Finally, there are eclectic homeschoolers (like me) who do a little of everything.

Like you, I was the one who suggested homeschooling to my mom (luckily for me, my parents had originally wanted to homeschool so it wasn't too difficult to convince them.) It's very important to research several aspects of homeschooling such as the laws in your state (homeschooling is legal everywhere in the US, but every state has different guidelines, some very strict and some very lenient), and to have a good idea of what kind of homeschooling you are interested in (many homeschoolers begin homeschooling in a very structured way and eventually relax once they get used to it.) Having all the facts and making everything as easy as possible on your mother will definately help to convince her. You could also suggest starting homeschooling two weeks or so earlier than school would start to show your mom you're serious about it.

You will hear some bad things about homeschooling from some not-so supportive relatives, school friends, etc, but you'll know if you like it and it feels right. You will probably hear that homeschoolers don't develop social skills which is not true, unless you had no life outside of school to begin with. Homeschoolers keep busy with lots of activities; everything from soccer to science to acting to archery (and the people you meet doing activities you love have a lot more in common with you than the kids in school who happen to share a birth year and not much else with you.) Lots of colleges also actively recruit homeschoolers (they love the self-motivation, determination, and passion for learning you develop as a homeschooler.)

Some great books as you're learning more are Homeschooling the Teen Years by Cafi Cohen (whose homeschooled sons both went to Harvard, I believe) and Homeschooling Your Child for Free by LauraMaery Gold and Joan Zielinski. Hope I helped. Good luck!

Answer 3

Personally, I don't think homeschooling is a great idea for any child. 1st of all you're in grade 7-8, even if you're so sure that you want to be a doctor (just as an example) you may change your mind many times by the time you get to college/uni. 2nd of all, high school is a great experience and you'll be missing out on a lot of fun times with friends and memories. Also, you can't learn everything from a book, what about social skills, interacting with others, even street smarts? You wouldn't want to be in a situation where there are things kids are talking about which you have no clue about!? There's also trips, sports, events etc that you will miss out on. High school is a great place to meet friends, what about dating too?

That's just what I think, if you don't agree with me or don't care about those things then go for it.

Answer 4

Homeschooling is a phenomenal option for you (contrary to what all non-homeschoolers will tell you).  If you are motivated to learn then you are more than half way there.  The best approach is self study - you need to be disciplined.  If you are looking to continue on to college enrolling in a virtual accredited school is a great option.  Oak Meadow is one that comes to mind, another is K12.  

If you are looking to do it independently, Saxon Math is fantastic for self-teaching math in an inexpensive manner (start with a placement test from the web as soon as possible so you know where you are).  Spend a lot of time reading (look at the Robinson Curriculum booklist as well as Sonlight's book list).  Follow a good English program for grammar, and focus on vocabulary (wordly wise is a great series), also write daily - one page in a journal is great to do daily, but also add book reports, etc.....daily reading comp (especially if you are behind) is a must - the combo on Math, Vocab, reading comp, and writing is what will let you get better scores in college entrance exams.  Keep a record of everything you do, everything you read, etc - this will help you get your transcript together.

It will be tough at first, but if you are disciplined and keet at it in a couple of months you will be well on your way...and you will notice (as will those around you)

Good luck

PS - Yahoo has great homeschooling groups (check out local ones as well as ones related to curricula you are researching, and also regular support groups)

PSPS - After reading some responses I wand to add encouragement - my children are homeschooled - my oldest was in PS for a few years and had declining national test scores every year - since she started homeschooling they have climbed each year and continues to be 99th percentile since we made the climb.  My youngest has been homeschooled and although only 4 is reading at 2nd grade level and his math concepts are closer to a 3rd grader in public school --- the power to do well is within you, you have to be diligent, dedicated, and want something bad enough.   The people that fail or are afraid of homeschooling are the ones that don't want it bad enough.  Go for it!

Answer 5

I don't know about the legal issues, but I was home schooled and it is something I will always be glad for. When you are home schooled you are actually focused on schoolwork not all the other bs.I am sorry I don't know any websites, my mom always ordered our books out of magazine she received. I have always been interested in science and I was able to get great science books that I would have not gotten in a school. The only problems are it is harder to find friends because you don't see people at school everyday and it can be harder to get proof of your grades to get scholarships and such. Good luck, and I hope I helped a little!

Answer 6

It's the summer break, do some homework for yourSelf.  My son left school mid-fifth grade, and life is so much more grand than you could imagine.  think about the best day of summer vacay, that's our life, everyday, as an unschooling family!

As for reading up on the subject, read any and all you can find by John Holt, and also lay your hands on a copy of The Teenage Liberation Handbook by Grace Llewellyn.  

websites, try www.naturalchild.org  www.livefreelearnfree.com  www.unschooling.com

These few sources will lead you to many more, enjoy your journey, laura

Answer 7

You seem to be pretty self driven.

You can find the laws at http://www.hslda.org  Home school is legeal in every state of the union including DC. The laws vary so you must know the law in your area first.

Also if your mom doesn't want to be the one to teach then you are going to have to be very disiplined. You can get programs like Penn Foster or Christian Liberty Acedemy. Or you can study the basics and what you will need to suceed at your chosen profession.

Don't worry about college. Home schoolers are sought out by the top colleges in the nation. They have proven to be more capable and ready for college life than public school kids.

Good Luck! I hope you are able to at least try it!

Answer 8

There is a free online charter there for grades k-8 and I am not certain when they will offer high school classes. It may be in the near future. After that, there are other online schools that are affordable if CAPCS online still does not offer classes for HS students. Progress Academy is a good one that will help all students ( any grade)