You could look into using one of the CAVA schools, or another charter high school.

http://caliva.org/

You can’t say what’s better per se. I will give you some pros and cons from my personal experience (I was homeschooled K-12, Public for the last two years of college). Homeschooling Pros: You get personal attention from an instructor. You have no choice but to communicate with the instructor, this facilitates learning and information retention. Homeschooling allows the student more freedom in learning, being able to learn what interests him/her. Most homeschoolers exhibit maturity at a much higher level then their public school counterparts. Most homeschoolers attend colleges and universities; usually at younger ages (I attended at 16). Homeschooling Cons: Less availablility of team sports activities. Somewhat demanding of the instructor. Overall, I believe homeschooling generally is “better” because of all the pros vs. cons. Also, the arguement about homeschoolers being socially challenged is a stereotype. I know 60 + homeschoolers around my neck of the woods, and they are all independent, intelligent, freethinkers. Also, there is nothing wrong with being a little bit strange; because in the adult world people except one another for who they are. They don’t ridicule them like a immature child. Cheers! =)

For California there are no “homeschool credentials” because there is no homeschooled statute here. Students are technically public school students if they are in a charter school or Independent Study Program, or they are private school students if they are enrolled in a private school. This would include a private school their parents have established. I have one teen in our private school and one enrolled in California Virtual Academy, a charter. www.caliva.org.

Private school teachers are not required by the state to have credentials. I suggest you look around on the state homeschool association websites, then contact one of the local volunteers in your area. They are homeschooling parents who are eager to help you find local resources and support, and they also can explain to you the legal options in our state. I’m the Santa Clara County volunteer for HSC, this first group:

Homeschool Association of California

www.hsc.org

California Homeschool Network

www.californiahomeschool.net

I do an alternative education program in California. I do an independent study program that is at a local high school. I do the work at home and visit the school once a week for an hour to get more work and turn in the things I completed. It is offered in areas around me, but I am not sure about where you live. I live in northern California somewhat near Sacramento.

California requires you notify the state between Oct 1 and Oct 15 of each year that you intend to operate a private school.

You are required to do this full time and keep an attendence record.

You are required to teach courses comparable to what the public school teaches. This has been successfully challenged in the courts so one does need to take care to teach English grammar, literature, math, algebra, science, history, geography to provide some PE activities, to cover some arts grounds.

The teacher has to be “able” to teach, some consider reading and writing and speaking English to be sufficient to fullfill this requirement.

A record of immunizations must be kept.

My son is enrolled in the local school district’s independent study program. I would think you could contact your district and inquire about it, see if they have something like it. If not, you can check with other districts nearby and if you find one, just apply for a transfer to that district and you can enroll with them. Good luck!