Online education/Virtual schools

[Tripper11]

Does anyone have any experience with these schools?
My daughter, who is going through some serious trauma(mental healthwise) right now has outright refused to go back to school.
We have asked friends if something happened, bullying etc at her brick and mortor school, and they all say no.
We had one on one's with her teachers a few weeks ago, before she stopped outright, and they all said the same things about her, "Smart, engaged, participates in class, quirky, interesting and thoughtful ideas..." on and on...all glowing words any parent loves to hear.
She is in grade 9, so now we are more than likely going to grant her wish of getting her education online(at least through grade 9)
This is one place we are looking at - http://www.k12.com/wava/home

Anyone have any other suggestions that would include Washington State?

Thanks in advance for any input, we're flailing here and it's pretty scary. I don't want a talented smart kid to fall through the cracks.

[rickrok66]

1. A good source

Try degreeinfo.com - it is a message board which has been around since the use.net days. There is a wealth of intelligent discussion on all kinds of distance learning schools from grade school through doctorate programs. I am sure a search would yield what you are looking for. Plus, the folks there will help you out. Good luck.

[Grey]

2. I'm no help but,

three of my grand daughters were bullied in school and were home schooled for several years.
They did really well and when they returned to the regular class room they were a little ahead of their classmates, This is through the regular school system, because here in Canada there are many kids that live at a distance from the brick and mortar schools. The schools are getting much tougher on the bullies this past year, thank goodness.
One of the things they found helpful was The Khan Academy. It is really good for helping to learn. Watch this youtube video. I really think this should be used in more class rooms.

http://www.youtube.com/user/khanacademy

You could also Google 'Home schooling groups' in your area, that is what mt Daughters did to find others and get answers for their area.

[Tripper11]

3. I wish we were in Canada!

We're hoping to move next summer, but in the meantime we're stuck down here.
Thanks for the recommendation though, I appreciate it.

[exboyfil]

4. This may only work for an interactive parent

who works with their child, but my youngest daughter has taken four courses from North Dakota Center for Distance Education. Since I study the material with her, review all of her assignments before submittal, and prep her extensively for tests; I really don't know if a more hands off approach would work. I do know that the expectations for the Biology course are higher than that for our Honors Biology at the public school. She is an 8th grader, and I think she could make a respectful showing on the Biology CLEP if she took it after completing this course. They cover a lot of material in two semesters.

I plan to switch her to Apex Leanring courses from the state for Social Studies if the school system approves. My plan is to have her take U.S. History, World History, and Government online High School classes and then take the corresponding CLEP test. All 15 hours will transfer for her major if she is successful. My impression from reviewing a Middle School course from APEX is that it is far less rigorous than the corresponding NDCDE course. My older daughter will be starting an APEX course over Christmas so I will know more then. My older daughter has had a Digital Photography course from NDCDE, and it is far more rigorous than the corresponding public school course. Her feedback has been somewhat light on her pictures, but she gets plenty of feedback from her Journalism teacher. She says she has learned a great deal of theory behind pictures though. She is going to have a huge portfolio when she is done with the class.

NDCDE will issue a diploma, but, if you plan to go to college, you really don't need one anyway (at least in our state). I know of plenty of full-time Homeschool kids who get scholarships to college. My youngest may decide not to graduate from the local High School if they are too resistant on our Social Studies plan.