Is It Too Late to Start Homeschooling?

I started homeschooling in 3rd grade with my younger son but my older son didn't join us until his 10th grade year. He continued with sports but then started in performing arts which was something he'd never done before. He loved it and is still doing it (though he has graduated from high school).

I would join a local support group and get to know some of the moms/dads there. You have a swath of ages and you will want to gather some info on the most effective (and efficient) ways to get the job done.

Here in Florida, if a homeschooler plays his/her cards right - he/she can graduate high school with an associate's degree (thanks to dual enrollment opportunities). It's a great way to get a bunch of college credits for free. My older son didn't take advantage of it but I've known other homeschoolers who rack up the credits.

Good luck!

heavens, no! i started my older in 9th grade, and my one huge regret was that i waited so long. i pulled my younger out halfway through 5th and never looked back.
the only con to starting 'late' is that you feel more pressure to 'keep up' than you do with younger kids. deschooling is a real phenomenon that requires some time for everyone to adjust, and with high schoolers we're more antsy, aren't we? but if you can breathe through that, and trust that he won't fall 'behind', you'll be fine. it was the one of the absolute best parenting decisions we ever made.
khairete
S.

It's never too late, and there are always good options for every child. I can't think of any reason you shouldn't do it. We homeschool, and it has been a wonderful experience so far. We know many homeschooling families who have done so from K through high school. One of the interns at our company is a Senior in high school this year, and has been homeschooled her whole academic career. She had very high SAT scores, has been accepted at every college she applied to, and has her choice of academic scholarships. She's trying to decide which college is giving her the best financial deal - but the point is, she has received an excellent education at home.

Anyhow, if I can help in any way, please feel free to PM me.

I would not homeschool your high schooler. Instead, look at your local community college if you think he or she is bored at school. Unless you are proficient at physics, pre-calc/calc and statistics, Brit Lit and fluent in a foreign language, you will offering him or her LESS than what is in the school.

You have no experience homeschooling. Starting out with so many children when you don't know how to teach one grade, much less this many, is a huge deal. If you feel like you MUST do this, then put your youngest in kinder and let her learn to read first, concentrate on the middle two, and help your high schooler find extracurricular academics in order to be ready for college, rather than pulling him or her out of school.

I homeschooled my oldest for just his senior year, he was struggling so badly, we had to do something. It worked. His grades shot up, he was more focused and actually liked school that year. So, no, it's not too late. And that's great that your district allows dual enrollment, ours allows for them to be in the extracurricular activities of their neighborhood school, but not take classes.

eta:
We used the PA Cyber Charter School, so I didn't actually do any teaching, they did. Do you have a cyber school option available in your state? There were more subjects available through that school than any of our high schools.

Also, Jane, you meant "boredom" right? Not "boardroom"? I have a feeling autocorrect strikes again lol ;)

I don't know about your state but in my town if the kids are not enrolled full time the parents must pay out of pocket for any activities or classes their kids take. They want to play in band? That costs about $600 per semester. They want services? Their insurance better be good because they are not going to get services through the school system.

The school gets it's money based on full time enrollment. So if a child is not enrolled they don't get anything they don't pay out of their own pocket. That's the way it should be. You enroll your child you get the benefit of the school. You don't enroll your kids you don't qualify for any of the kids benefits that actually are going and have the right to that money that is there because they are a student.

Here is one story I recall.

A mom with multiple kids who home schools sent her daughter to kindergarten. I was surprised because I think of kindergarten as being fun and wondered why she wanted to be inconvenienced with the school schedule. This particular mom did not enjoy this stage and sent her to K so she could focus on the older kids. Also, Kindergarten is a shorter day in our district.

I do not think it is too late for any of them.

It's never too late to start homeschooling. My daughter began in 11th grade and will graduate shortly. She's been doing her schooling online through Liberty University and will get her diploma from the state of Virginia instaead of NY.
I know a number of families who've homeschooled various kids at various times. Some homeschooled during the lower grades but when it came to math & science and engineering the kids went to their local high school. and the reverse in other situations. Each kid is different and their educational needs differ. How wonderful that you live in a state that supports dual enrollment. When my daughter came out of public school I had hoped she could still take some engineering classes (for which our school district is noted) and participate in marching band - but it wasn't allowed. The teachers union in NY is too strong...

Nopt sure what your religious affilitation is - but for conservative Christians Liberty online academy offers a nice alternative since they will do the testing, grading and will issue the diploma and it is less stressful for mom. It's not cheap but it's less costly (by a lot) than private school and text is included online so with a few exceptions you wouldl't have to also buy textbooks.

Finally - there are alot of support groups outo there and groups that meet regularly. My daughter meets with other HS students every monday for a finance class followed by volleyball or basketball or another sport - and they also will meet from time to time to hike through the local state parks, work with a local food bank, etc. The relationships she's forging now are all with really nice kids. I have not regreted for even a moment pulling her out for 11th & 12th grade. Now I ahve to consider whether that makes sense for my son....

Homeschool when you know it's best for your child for however long you know is best for your child.
In my social circle, it's actually more common for parents to pull their kids out of public school after a bad experience in high school (because of the social issues) and put them in private or homeschool.

As far as boardroom, I know one homeschooler who just put them in public school after 5 weeks of hs this year (after 4 years of hs) because they were "board" at home and at each others throats. If you want to use the extra time your accelerated learner has to enjoy more outings and more enrichment options, that is one thing. But there is boardroom in school to consider and boardroom at home to consider. With three I know its hard to get out and about. So boardroom may go both ways. It may be a bit late for your oldest. Consider a hybrid program. Thats what we do and its the best of both worlds.