Virtual Public School for My Junior High Schooler

I don't have any experience with this, but it sounds like your child would do okay, given his high academic level. What I'd be more worried about is his social life and all of that.

Have you considered getting ahold of homeschoolers' moms and asking what groups they use to socialize their kids in the "school" setting? I think that they have organized field trips, etc. Also, the public school may have to include homeschoolers in PE classes - maybe sports like swimming, etc.

He may not technically be a homeschooler, but you should use whatever resources homeschoolers have to make sure your son gets a well-rounded education.

I'm not sure if this will be much help, but my daughter was in public middle school and really really struggling. We enrolled her in a school here where she was required to physically attend one day a week. She was allowed to go multiple days, if she wanted, and had online work that had to be done at home and e-mailed to the teachers. She passed and will enter high school in the fall. However, this particular school/curriculum was not a good choice for her. The teachers (all but one) either were horrible at posting grades, had technical problems which they felt they didn't need to inform the students and parents, or like one teacher, had _5_ copies of one test and never graded it! :(

My advice is to research the school, ask other parents and students and really keep on it. If your child has a hard time with being self-disciplined, etc, this may not be a good choice. So be vigilant and research.

Best of luck!!

We've been homeschoolers since my younger son was in 3rd grade (he's now going into 10th). My older son joined us when he was in 10th grade.

Somewhere along the way (middle school) we started doing Florida Virtual School (FLVS) classes. My older son did a full load of FLVS in 10th grade.

I have a love-hate relationship with FLVS. I love that they offer honors and AP classes, and we've had some really nice teachers. I hate that my kids were sitting on the computer so much. And just like traditional school, there is alot of needless "busy" work. I love that FLVS makes transcript record-keeping very easy. I hate that they pressure your student to go faster than he or she may need to in a particular area (which is one of the major points to homeschooling imho - going at your own pace).

We broke away from FLVS for the most part, except for electives like Driver's Ed. I started crafting my own courses from regular textbooks, and I've used tutors extensively. I like a lady online - her name is Lee Binz at the Total Transcript Solution - she has lots of good ideas about how to handle high school (and in middle school you can knock out some high school courses if you know what you're doing).

My older son just got accepted to the mainstream college of his choice, with our homeschool transcript and his SAT scores. It's totally do-able, even outside the virtual school format.

Good luck - hope this helps.

ETA: And just as an aside, my sons are not outcasts by any stretch - my older son was a fantastic athlete and a good student in traditional school. It just wasn't a fit for him. He loves performing arts too - something he most likely would have never done in traditional school. My younger son started homeschooling due to health issues and a visual processing issue - homeschooling gave us a great opportunity to work on and ultimately resolve those concerns! Both kids are doing great.

I don't understand why would you do this at this age when he is going through so many changes physically and socially, making friends, etc.

It is great that he is in AP courses because that will help him in later school years if he keeps it up but he also need a balance.

I know of 1 family in my neighborhood that did it when their daughter was in 9th grade and she will graduate this year. They did it because their daughter was a social outcast, had behavior issues, is severly obese, and just could not get along with others.

We are in the Plano ISD. I don't know about Hurst ISD.

both me and my sister did virtual school - she did it from 7th grade on and i started in 10th. i like to do things at my own pace, and while they still have a schedule of worksheets and tests you're supposed to complete, you get to move at your own speed. i ended up graduating a semester early (which i loved!) and i enjoyed being able to do things in my own room (and occasionally have my mom help me with my algebra, haha). i think it is great that they offer school over the computer and would have no problems with my son doing it when he's older!

I have heard mixed reviews about K12, they are a for profit and the help isnt always so great. Grapevine is starting a new virtual school this year and Texarkana has an already established one that I have heard great things about. If it were me I would try one of those, I think the support is better

http://www.iuniversityprep.org/ is the Grapevine one and it is geared toward advanced courses and they have regular field trips, this would be my top choice

http://texarkanaisdvirtualacademy.com/

You don't say your reasons. I've known kids that have done this and liked it much better. They had plenty of time and energy for other interests as well. As long as his life is balanced with other interests and people that are healthy -- go for it.

Just IMHO

A lady that works at our local library used the K12 program and then when her son was in 10th grade, she started working full time and he was able to start public school with no problem. For that reason I think it is good, if the child is going to go to school.
You didn't say whether he has already been home schooled or if you are taking him out of school now.
I have been asked by a few moms that have taken their child out of school in high school where to start and what program to use. I usually suggest the K12 program for them because it is familiar and especially if they are doing good at it, why not continue.
For me personally, my children are 9 and 6, the program we are using now only goes to 6th grade then we have to find something else. I have thought about this program, however I'm not sure how I feel about having him learn one thing for his school work and then teaching him something totally different when we do our Bible study. It just seems like I might confuse him.
As far as the whole socialization, if you have already been home schooling, I don't think I need to say anything at all. If your like most other home schooling families, you've already heard it all, and know the truth. But if you are just pulling him out, there should be a home school group in your area that offers co-op classes and a lot of activities. Plus, your son won't loose any good friends at all if you pull him out, but will have the opportunity to make more friends of all different ages than just what he would have in his class rooms.
Have you looked at other programs? Abeka, Alpha Omega, There are other programs that are accredited, albeit some can be real expensive and that does make K12 appealing.