So, I went to public school and private school. I was in the gifted programs and still bored out of my mind. I knew at 7 what I wanted to be, so life/school felt like hoops to jump through, rather than anything I wanted to do....until grad school.
We pulled our son out of school after kindergarten and were AMAZED at how EASY it was. Really? Why are they in school for 6 hours each day with 2 hours of busy work, oh, I mean, homework? I was able to get school done with our son in less than 1 hour each day, but to put in the time that the state required, we did 4 hours. He was done with 1st grade in 2 months. I made up projects, reviewed, did lots of field trips, and after 2 months of that, I realized he was done with 1st grade. We started 2nd grade immediately and did 1 hour of work each day. He finished 2nd grade in 6.5 months.
He's now 7 and has started 4th grade. I ask him if he wants to go back to school and his response is, "No way."
We are starting pre-school with our 4 year old and 2 year old - who both know their numbers and alphabet. Our four year old can spell, but not read yet. Our 2 younger kids hear everything we teach Michael and for that, they know more than most kids their ages.
My husbad and I own our own business, so our schedules can be inconsistent and that's the thing we love. Our son still gets his work in AND has learned how to be flexible. we do work everyday, but now that he's not 5, he actually starts his work on his own and if he has questions, he asks us. We don't hover over him.
I've had numerous friends who didn't think they could do it. One was freaked out. She puleld her daughter who was in the nurses office everyday with a sick tummy. Once she pulled her, the stomach has been fine. She was a great student at home and a mediocre one at school. This year, she's pulled all 3 of her kids and can't believe she is homeschooling and everyone is loving it.
Ok, so that aside:
You have options. You can homeschool on your own. You can go through a public charter school, where they give you the curriculum and it goes along with your state's...this one is "free" through the tax money. Or there are schools here that take the kids 2 or 3 days a week and the parents teach them the other 2 days.
Our field trips consist of trips to Oregon, New York, St. Thomas, Northern California, Mexico, Chicago, Denver, etc. We go off season, so the prices are cheaper AND no crowds. Our kids get to learn how to travel and actually get real life experience. Instead of just reading about the Statue of Liberty, we go and see it. AND I get to raise my children and spend time with them. there is NOTHING better than teaching something to your child and watching their eyes light up when they "get" a concept.
Good luck with whatever you choose...and you can always change your mind. We take school year by year.