Online high school? (support, son, learning, college)

[Sundance]

Has anyone used an "online" high school? (Accredited, distance-learning).

Please tell me about it, if you have, as we may have to go this route.

[bande1102]

My son (freshman) is currently using an online high school. It is accredited. What would you like to know?

[RebeccaLeigh]

I didn't but my cousin did. she loved it even going at her own pace she finished early, and got into a really good college.

For her it worked, because she got bored in regular school, and she only had to do like 3 hours of school work a day at home, because she could focus.

[Sundance]

My son (freshman) is currently using an online high school. It is accredited. What would you like to know?

Why you are using online HS.
How you found it...how a person can check and make sure it's accredited.
Which school you are using - if you don't want to put it on the board, please PM me.
How your child handled the transition from public school to online school.
What about social interaction with others?
What does it cost, roughly speaking (again, PM me if you don't want to put it on
the board).
What you like about it vs. public school....

thanks

[lipglossjunkie]

Just dont do "American School"- thats the name of the school. It is a joke. Sister did it for a year in Highschool and ended up going back to regular high school since she actually wanted to go to college with some kind of knowledge. It was accredited to. I would just stick with a regular high school unless you want the easy way out, and dont plan on going to college.

[TouchOfWhimsy]

Several colleges recruit homeschoolers and nearly all accept them... this was all hashed out already in the education forum, if you are interested.

I don't have advice as to which programs are best, etc. I homeschool my children, but they're 7 and 5. We do'nt use an online school, we just do it on our own. I have heard good things about Connections Academy and also K12. Depending on what state you are in, one or the other may be free.

There are probably homeschool groups in your area who can both answer your questions and also help you and your child to make homeschooling friends. Try going to groups.yahoo.com and searching "homeschool (city name)". You could also google that, and you will probably come up with something. Good luck!

[Sundance]

I'm not really talking about doing homeschooling, unless distance learning is considered the same thing.

[TouchOfWhimsy]

You could get a variety of opinions on that, but for logistical purposes, distance learning can be considered homeschooling. You need to figure out the same types of social outlets as homeschoolers. You would not fit in with an "unschooling" support group, but most homeschooling groups do have several (or even many) distance learners.

[bande1102]

Sundance, I sent you a pm re your questions. As far as online vs homeschooling--I'd carefully check your state regs. If you're not sending your child to a public school or private school recognized by your state (most of the time that means the school has to be physically located in your state) then you are homeschooling as far as the state is concerned and have to meet homeschooling regs. Alternatively some states recognize some virtual schools so it isn't an issue. I'd suggest contacting your local board of education and/or homeschooling group for more information.

[sskkc]

My younger SIL did this. She went through her local high school to do it (California). She did it because she was getting seriously picked on and bullied but didn't want to report it. Her mother had become one of those completely thoughtless people who thought she should just "find a way to get along with them". Unfortunately, she wasn't the problem - her mother was and my SIL was in a really bad position - she didn't want her mom to know that her previous mistakes were ruining her daughter's life. (Long, personal story)

She got her GED a week after her 16th birthday, and it only took her 18 months to finish the high school cirriculum. (She began the same week her high school started, then sat around doing nothing for over a year, until she could take the test).

She was highly motivated to get on with her life, but that year killed it in her. She's 23 now and STILL attending college. Last I heard her say, she still has a year left. But she said that 2 years ago, so who knows.