Home Schooling - Raleigh,NC

I haven't done it, personally, but I've had many family members who worked in the public school system and find it to be quite lacking in many aspects.

If you feel the need for it, you are WILLING to try it, AND you feel that you have the personal self-discipline to make it happen consistently (I didn't/don't), I'd say GO FOR IT! The cirruculum can be kind of custom tailored to your child's (children's) need and interests and most school days can be finished within a few hours (3-6) from all I've heard, so the lessons don't seem to be so interminably long and frustrating for a kid who struggles with formal learning settings.

Whatever you do, good luck and God bless!

i am in my fourth year of homeschooling and we've tried lots of different curriculums and methods but not until this year did we find what worked for each of my kids - my oldest is enrolled in an online public school called connections academy - my two younger daughters are using time4learning.com which they absolutely love - they have a free two week trial if you want to just see what it's like :-)

We homeschooled all of our children. Every state has different laws pertaining to homeschooling. You can type in Home School Legal Defense Association. It is a legal group that I strongly suggest you join if you decide to homeschool. They have up to date information for each state. You can go on the site and pull up info for your state. I would also suggest joining a homeschool group. There are different activities, classes, field trips etc... to get your child(ren) to join with other homeschooled peers. It can be hard at times but rewarding as well. The most valuable advice I can give you is to make sure that your child(ren) know that when it is time to sit down and do school work there will be no trying to get out of it, running off to do different things etc... I have seen many parents fall into the we will just start in an hour that turns into several hours or not much at all. Make a plan and stick to it as best you can. You do need to have some flexibility, especially with two young toddlers, but your son needs to know that regardless of anything else he is responsible for getting his school work done. There are several different varieties of curriculm that you can get. If you know that your child is a hands on learner then search for a curriculm that will incorporate that into it. God Bless and Good Luck!

If he wants to homeschool, I would say you should go for it. I have six boys. My first three didn't want to homeschool and resisted my efforts. But I started homeschooling my fourth when he was in 9th grade and he did wonderfully. He homeschooled through his first three years of high school. For his senior year I put him in a local IB program and he graduated as class salutatorian. Now he's in college and excelling. I would have liked to homeschool my fifth son, and I think he would have done well, but he insisted on going to high school (IB again) and I don't think he would have put in much effort if I had homeschooled him against his will.

There are so many resources, including online schools and homeschooling associations. Some states have public schools online, paid for by the state. (Check out Connections Academy.) You will also need to look up your state's homeschooling laws. Some are very lax and others require strict record-keeping.

It definitely can be done, and can be very rewarding. The best of luck to you and your son.

Hi S. B
I started homeschooling my son in the 5th grade. He is now in the 8th grade. We love it and it has worked so well for us. I don't have any other children, but I am a single, working mom. We use thejubileeacademy.org. This is an online curriculum that is Christ based. Using this curriculum means that all my lesson planning is done for me, which makes it so much easier. Check it out and maybe google for other curriculum. Homeschooling has been a blessing for us and has made our relationship so much closer. You will have to register your homeschool with your state education board(check with your state for their particular requirements), and will probably have to arrange for end of year testing for your son. My son has consistently tested about 3 years ahead of his actual grade level. It usually takes us only 1 to 3 hours per day to do school, so it is not that much more time consuming than home work used to be. Good luck.

hi, my name is R., a friend did this and now runs an awesome school. look up ____@____.com. maybe this home school program will work for you. good luck and blessing,R.

In NC you have to norify the state. Here is the website
http://www.ncdnpe.org/index.asp

YOu fill out an intent to homeschool form.

They will send you an attendance sheet. Copy that and that is your record of how many days you school.

School should be run 5 hours a day for 180 days.

He needs to be tested but you can go online and get testing supplies and they will also grade them. WE used the CAT/5 last year.

There is a plethura of information online.
Get a printer with copying and fax capabilities. It will save your life.
There are so many places to go for curriculums.
Check in your area for a used homeschool book store. WE have one up the road in Beulaville called Fishing for Books. YOu will find a huge selection of used curriculums to choose from.

I pulled my daughter last year out of 5th and my son this year out or third from the public school.

THe records show that homeschool kids do fairly poorly the first year out of a traditional school setting, but the second year they soar past the public schools. My daughter did follow this trend. THis year she knowss what to expect and is going above and beyond what I have expected of her.

ALso college professors have said that homeschool kids, while they come to class with an eagerness and respect for learning they have no idea how to follow a deadline. It has been suggested that while homeschooling in the upper grades, 6th through 12th, that they take some online courses so the taskmaster is not mom.

We are taking an online science course next semester with Greg Landry a college professor who teaches online classes to homeschooled children and runs summer camps. http://www.homeschoolscienceacademy.com/

Good luck to you. THe first year is a huge challenge for both of you but it is so rewarding for all involved when you realize that what you are doing is is really the right choice.

I am a homeschooling mom and also working on a Masters in Teaching. The biggest challenge you will face will be the transition from just mom to mom and teacher. He will need to understand that just because he isn't going to a building doesn't mean school doesn't happen 5 or 4 days a week. Whatever you decide on.

It will be a big adjustment on everyone's part. Homeschooling is an enormous commitment. However it gives you a lot of flexibility. We homeschool most of the summer, and take off a lot of December and of course we don't do school on dd's bday. If we wanted to take off a couple of weeks for a vacation in the middle of the winter or fall, we could.

Definitely check out the laws for homeschooling in N.C. Although I think the laws there are fairly lax. Make sure to connect with other homeschoolers so you and your son aren't isolated.

There are many curriculum's to look over or you could design your own. I don't recommend that for your first year however. We really like Sonlight. www.sonlight.com However there are many out there. Let us know if you need more advice or help.

Good luck!
M.

I know several people who pulled their kids from school during the middle school years and let them go back, once in high school. The mid school years are so difficult for some young people, that HS is a good alternative. Good luck.

He is about the same age my son was when i FINALLY pulled him out of the school system and homeschooled him right through High school.
My husband and I are very pleased with the results, almost 3 years after graduation.
He graduated with Honors
Most areas have a prom for the kids with parent chaperons, we had field trip galore, and even a graduation,
SO as u can see they will NOT miss out on a thing.
Our son is now a manager of a gaming store, :)If u have any questions as to how to start just email me.
WE wish you luck, (:

You don't say why your son has been struggling in school. Is it something that homeschooling can resolve? Is it a learning disability, behavioral issue, etc., and what will homeschooling allow that would be different? You also must be realistic about your ability to focus on his schooling with two toddlers. How are you going to keep them occupied while teaching your son? I wish you luck with your decision.

As a teacher myself, homeschooling can be great or a disaster. It depends on how much is put into the instruction and time spent on learning tasks. If you are willing to get the state curriculum and cover all the spi's for sixth grade and possibly fifth, he should do fine. If he has had problems for a while, I would talk to his teacher and counselor to see if there is a specific problem or learning disability. Also if there are any special programs at his school that he would benefit from.