What to do...what to do...

Pre-College Issues Home Schooling and College
1

<p>Alright, I need some suggestions...</p>

<p>I'm 14, 15 in July, I'm a freshman in highschool. I started online school on August 22nd...well, I didn't really start on my work full-swing until September 12th. So 3 1/2 months into the school year, I'm behind in my school work nbecause I have no help and I hate the online format of learning.</p>

<p>Part of me wants to go back to public school in tenth grade so I can be OUT of the house...I get a little bit of time away, but I hate being home. I like being out and about, and doing things. Here, there are no homeschool support groups and the local public schools hate homeschoolers.</p>

<p>I figure the way things are now, if I can find a way to push through the rest of the school year in the virtual school and get my work done, and I go back to school for 10th grade...I'm going to have to be in 9th grade math and science again next year, so I'm going to be in split classes, and I'm going to probably have to do summer school this summer to make up the PE credit I won't be able to earn during the school year.</p>

<p>I also want to go back to school next year b/c of the 'high school experiences'...prom, homecoming, Graduation, class rings, etc. I'd like for those things to be there in case I do decide that I want to take up on them...I don't want to be left without an option.</p>

<p>I'm just not looking forward to waking up at 5:00am and being out the door by 6:15. </p>

<p>Also, my niece could be coming to live with us in the next six months to a year, and my parents are both disabled so that would mean me being the one to get her up and ready for the bus...on the schoolbus, home from school in the afternoon, homework help, dinner, etc. Issue is, highschool here starts at 7:30 and her bus wouldn't even come until 8:30 in the morning, and it's iffy whether my parents would be able to get her to her bus stop in the morning. If I were to get an allowance to come in 1 block late in the morning, I'd have to do summer school or ESS...and if I went with ESS I wouldn't be able to get her off the bus in the afternoon...If I did summer school, I would have my regular school year from around 8/15 to around 5/25, and then summer school from around 6/1 to 7/15. </p>

<p>So, I'm posed with a lot of problems and things to consider...and the reason I'm posting this is so I can get some unbiased advice.</p>

<p>By the way, I understand that taking care of a 7 year old isn't a teenager's responsibility, but in the long run it will probably be either that, or her going to her dad's, where they've left her with shady characters, such as her drug-trafficking aunt who's been known to prostitute herself. I don't want my niece around that.</p>

<p>So...I'm asking for suggestions and advice about what I should do as far as school goes...thanks!</p>

2

<p>Also...does anyone know of any good umbrella schools or distance learning programs that are (very) affordable? Thanks...
...and if I decide to stay homeschooled, I'm thinking of maybe using an umbrella school and working on a do-it-yourself type of thing. having a big family thing when I "graduate" and maybe ordering a class ring for myself from a company like Jostens, and going with friends to homecoming and prom (if I even see it necessary..)</p>

<p>But the real question is, I know I'll need a transcript, and if I decide to stay homeschooled, won't the transcript look bad with three half-completed online classes in my first half?</p>

<p>And for a college prep (but not too rigorous) course of study, what would you reccomend as a basic year by year setup?</p>

<p>Sorry for all the ?s.</p>

3

<p>Are you sure you're 14? </p>

<p>Ok , first of all, a 14 year old shouldn't have to be considering logistical concerns of the family (ie., your neice). It sounds like your family isn't in the best situation to care for another 7 year old - if the responsibility for her care is placed on a 14 year old's shoulders , something is wrong with that. </p>

<p>It also sounds like you hate home-schooling so, really, it's not the best option for you. I would think that the first thing you should do if you want to return to public school would be to contact the school counselor at your local high school and let them know that you want to return next fall and ask what you need to do to be able to do that. This is number one. People here can advise you, but that counselor will know what is required by the high school and can give you resources for getting there. </p>

<p>There are accredited home-school programs out there - go online and search if you like. But make sure that their accrediation is accepted by the colleges in your state as valid. </p>

<p>I know that you want to help your family and sometimes that is something we all must do, but you could end up making some serious education mistakes that will severely impact your future. You need some immediate guidance that I don't think anyone here can really give you. Try talking with the counselor at the school. </p>

<p>Normally, I'd suggest that you talk with your parents, but if your parents can't handle getting a kid on the bus and making dinner for them, I'm wondering how they are caring for you as well.</p>

4

<p>In order to succeed in distance courses, you need to be either extremely self-disciplined and motivated, or have a very strong support system at home. Even better better would be a combination of these two. Distance course can be more challenging than traditional classes for all of the reasons you mentioned. You are working alone, you have to keep yourself motivated and organized without support from other students or an in real life instructor.</p>

<p>It truly sounds from your post as though distance learning is not the answer for you. It isn't a failure on your part, just a learning process to find out what works best for you. If you enjoy classroom learning, I agree with the other poster who suggested calling or dropping in to talk to a counselor at your local high school to find out what options are available for you if you return to the public school system. Good luck!</p>

5

<p>Really? I always thought homeschooled children would join city sports teams or community clubs or actually get jobs/internships! You don't do any of that? You can't?</p>

<p>Highschool experience... I don't think much of it. I mean, it's cool to experience this part of life that you see in the movies all the time and you can talk to people about "Oh, my football team won state. The pep rallies were so fun. har har har", but I always wondered what it would be like if I were homeschooled and got to CREATE my own experiences.</p>

<p>Well, anyway, good luck. Tell us what happens.</p>

6

<p>I also did independent study on a online program my freshman year. The program had flaws and caused me to suffer a 3.5 first semester and 2.6 the second. I am now a sophomore at a large public school and I am very happy to be back at a real school. I have straight A's, weighted somewhere above a 4.0. Anyways, I just wanted to throw that out there and I recommend you attend a real school because you will have better experiences.</p>