[Frogchile]

Ok this is a long thought and If I babble I am sorry. Today I went down to my Local public school(since we Just Moved) and Got told there is no room in my area for my 6th Grader and if I get all the forms back b tomorrow they can get him enrolled but he would have to take Public Transportation to school. I left there in tears and on a mission. I consider myself a active parent that has always been involved. A PTA president for 4 Years and On Every Field Trip. Well anyways Once I got home I started searching for my other options... And I found a Program Called K12. Now from what I have been reading all night between news articles and Homeschooling Blogs This Program is really in the middle of the two options. Not quite home schooling BUT not Going to a actually school. I respect all ways of teaching your children as Long as they are learning but I do not think I have what it takes to Completely Home school. So to get to the Point Has anyone on here heard anything Bad about the K12 Program other then It is more Monitoring then most home school parents want? And It is really completely Free? I know this is not Exactly what you all are talking about in here but I am desperate for answers and I can not seem to find anywhere else to go.

[twinzplus3]

I have only heard good things about it. I've never used it--too much involvement for me. But with the exception of computer access, then yes, it is really free in some public school districts. Have you ever heard of the "What your ______ grader should know" series? This is based on that.

As a homeschooler, I spend most of my money on outside activities like ballet, gymnastics, etc. Just thought I'd share that tidbit.

[Frogchile]

THANK you sooo much!!! you have made my whole day! I really think I am going to try it I believe with all my heart that it is the best option for my children. In the long run Maybe I will decide it is to much Involvement as well but for now It looks like a good place for me to start.

[mcmama]

No public school should ever say there is no room. Policies on transportation will vary from district to district. If you are within a geographic area where the school provides transportation, and where students are entitled to it, then you may have a case against the school. Requiring the student to use public transportation when the school bus is provided or mandated because of distance is possibly a violation, but not necessarily.

Anyway, good luck with the homeschooling. Wow, what a way to welcome you to the neighborhood. YOu didn't move in Sept, so they don't want you! How inconvenient!

[pattiewrites]

They call it Cyberschool here and yes, it is free. In my state, they give you a brand new laptop and pay for internet connection, since most of the work is done via computer. My neighbor is doing it with her grandson and raves about it. I think it is a good option for people who don't want to do all the planning that goes along with homeschooling, since the lessons are all laid out for you. Good luck with it!

[MamaWrites]

I'm also interested in distance learning. Are there any other programs? For example, do school districts have any of their own distance learning programs? I love our school's curriculum, but I am worried about some of the peer influences.

[ahermitt]

A public school told you they have no room???!!!! Wow!!! I don't think that is legal.

Still K-12 is a great option for a public school student. It is at-home public school, but if that is what you are looking for then you have it a goldmine.

Honestly, in all of my travels in the past 5 years, I have heard NOTHING bad against k-12.

Originally Posted by Frogchile

Ok this is a long thought and If I babble I am sorry. Today I went down to my Local public school(since we Just Moved) and Got told there is no room in my area for my 6th Grader and if I get all the forms back b tomorrow they can get him enrolled but he would have to take Public Transportation to school. I left there in tears and on a mission. I consider myself a active parent that has always been involved. A PTA president for 4 Years and On Every Field Trip. Well anyways Once I got home I started searching for my other options... And I found a Program Called K12. Now from what I have been reading all night between news articles and Homeschooling Blogs This Program is really in the middle of the two options. Not quite home schooling BUT not Going to a actually school. I respect all ways of teaching your children as Long as they are learning but I do not think I have what it takes to Completely Home school. So to get to the Point Has anyone on here heard anything Bad about the K12 Program other then It is more Monitoring then most home school parents want? And It is really completely Free? I know this is not Exactly what you all are talking about in here but I am desperate for answers and I can not seem to find anywhere else to go.

[ahermitt]

Lately, I have been hearing great raves about A Beka. I also like time4learning, and schooloftomorrow.com.

Originally Posted by MamaWrites

I'm also interested in distance learning. Are there any other programs? For example, do school districts have any of their own distance learning programs? I love our school's curriculum, but I am worried about some of the peer influences.

[deedee1231]

Yes, public schools can send you to another school within the district if the school in your neighborhood is full. And in some districts they do not offer bus transportation for students living within a 3 mile radius of the school, so I can see how this could have happened. It happened to us, and was just a small piece of the experience that lead us to begin homeschooling.

I have heard nothing but great things about K12. I think it is great it is offered for free in your district. I wanted to enroll my oldest two in K12 several years ago, when we were first starting out the homeschool journey but it wasn't offered for free in our district and it is very expensive. I think it looks like an excellent program, from what I have seen.

[SeekingmyLord]

I guess I will be the dissenting opinion, just so you have something to think about from a different perspective. In my state, K12 is offered only to grade 8 and you only get a computer if you qualify as needing one. Most of the parents in my area who have tried it get fed up with the supervision and scheduling, plus all the workbooks and busy work common in a public school curriculum within the first year. Last year was the first time it was offered and I believe there was quite a few less doing it this year and more just homeschooling on their own. I would say that it is a nice way to ease into homeschooling for those who never planned to do it, as it is with your case.

You should also be aware that quite a few homeschooling groups do not allow families using this program to be members. Overall, it is a good alternative to public school, if you view it as a public school done at home, but being that it is public school at home, you are under ps rules as to how you will be educating your child, yet not have any access--at least in my state--to extra-curricular activities offered at the brick and mortar school.