Every state has different homeschool laws; in some you have to register and have an evaluator 1-2 times per year, and in others you just plain send a letter to the school advising them that you’re homeschooling and go for it. This site will give you the basic laws in that area, as well as some homeschool groups. Your mom can call the group leader of any group in your area, even right this minute, and ask what steps she needs to take. Honestly, they will be much more helpful than the county, as they are likely to be more aware of the rules and steps.

http://www.hslda.org/hs/state/default.asp

This page has good tips for getting started:

http://www.youcanhomeschool.org/starthere/default.asp?bhcp=1

(Ignore the “how did you hear about us” pop-up)

You can also get books at the library that are very helpful, I believe they are usually listed in the 365’s or so.

I started homeschooling my son in much the same time frame (though he was much younger); he came home crying his eyes out the first day of school after we moved, it turned out that the school was close to 2 years behind the one we moved from; the third day of school, I pulled him and we’ve been homeschooling ever since. It was a bit stressful that first week, trying to figure out what to do, but past that I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Good luck – and ask back if you need more help!

If you have not moved, then you must have friends in there, somewhere, that went to your middle school. If they are not going to the same school you are, then find out why. You may have an option to transfer to the school they attend, look in to it.

If you are new to the area, then you probably do not know anyone and it probably is a shock to move from an affluent area to what sounds like an inner urban area. If this school is the result of a move, then if your family’s financial situation allows, maybe a private school is an option.

If those scenarios are not do-able, and you and your mom feel this new school is unsafe, then perhaps it is best that she looks in to homeschooling, but contacting the county probably is not the best place to begin the search.

she should contact www.hslda.org for the most accurate information on how to begin homeschooling in your area.

Try Christian Liberty Press and also look into the Homeschool Legal Defense (HSDLA).

If you and your mom can be dedicate dto your education, you CAN do it, and you will finish High School sooner if you stay ahead of the game. Good Luck.

I’m just telling you that, because if your mum calls the school authorities and asks about homeschooling you, there is every possibility that they will tell her you can’t homeschool/it’s illegal etc etc. All your mum needs to know about that is: they’re bluffing. Thay have a vested interest (money) in making sure your mum enrols you in their school and they’ll tell her whatever they think it’s going to take to get her to do that.

Before you and your parents make any decisions, check out HSLDA (for the *GENUINE* rules r.e. homeschooling in your State and not the school board’s ‘interpretation’ of them) and the homeschooling groups local to where you live – check with your local library or do an internet search for ‘homeschooling groups+your town/State’.

This is why homeschooling has become popular.

Good luck and don’t be sad. : )

love nikki X