Please help!!

[mamatanya]

My 16 year old sister is fixing to move in with me. Long story, but to make it short, my mother is dying and my step father is getting up there in age. I have wanted my sister to move in with me for years. She has not really been parented because my mother has been fighting cancer and other illnesses since she was 3 years old. My step dad has kind of been hands off with her. Now she is 16 and in a bad place. She wants a baby. She knows that she is not ready for a baby but she wants someone to love her. So, I asked her again to come live with me. I was surprised but she finally said yes. This will be my first year of homeschooling my own children. I have their schooling all worked out for now. She is another story. I had planned to sign her up for the k12 program because I refuse to allow her (or any of my children) to go to the local high school. The k12 program only goes up to grade 8. Okay, well what about private school? She was private schooled her whole life up until she started high school. Her dad says that he does not have the money for this.

If she were my child, I would just teach her myself and not worry about credits, but she is not my child and she is moving here with a one year plan in mind. She may or may not stay after the first year. Ok, with that said, I have to find something in the state of GA that she can do from home but still earn credits (that are transferable to a FL public school if she goes back home) and that large colleges will accept. My mother has paid for her college fund for years and she is the only one of us (my moms children) that is going to have the opportunity to go to college. She is very bright, but she did let her grades drop very low this year. I cannot imagine what she is going through at home watching my mom die everyday, but I know that it is hurting her!!

I am thinking Keystone. Has anyone used this? Know anyone that used this? Successfully enrolled into a college with their diploma? Is there anyone else in the state of GA that knows of a diploma program? Please help. I only have a few weeks to figure this out. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Martha in GA]

One possibility would be to find an "umbrella school." I'm sure each "umbrella school" operates a bit differently, but I am planning to enroll my dd this coming year in a local "school" that will keep records, etc. I will be required to have my dd take a final for each subject in the presence of a proctor, and other grades from quizzes, tests, etc. will have to be submitted to the school electronically. I will report my attendance to the school, but I do not report my attendance to the BOE. The cost for this will be less than $300 per year.

 

A second thought is, since she is a resident of FL, maybe she could enroll in the Florida Virtual School? I would think, since her parents live in FL, that she would still be eligible?

 

HTH,

Martha

[Sunshine State Sue]

A second thought is, since she is a resident of FL, maybe she could enroll in the Florida Virtual School? I would think, since her parents live in FL, that she would still be eligible?

 

:iagree:

[mamatanya]

I have considered her doing the Fl virtual school but I do not know if they will let her live here and still use their funding. Also, we would have to officially withdraw her from the public school system, enroll her as a homeschooler and wait 4-6 weeks for them to say yes or no. We are at such an end to our timeline that I do not know if we can afford to just sit around waiting for them to say yea or nay. But, I will call them and talk to them directly. Thank you for your suggestions.

[Teachin'Mine]

I hope you get good news on the Florida virtual school. If you need other suggestions, it would help to know if you're looking for a secular or religious program and more details if you can. I'll be praying for you and your family. :grouphug:

[Corraleno]

I have considered her doing the Fl virtual school but I do not know if they will let her live here and still use their funding. Also, we would have to officially withdraw her from the public school system, enroll her as a homeschooler and wait 4-6 weeks for them to say yes or no. We are at such an end to our timeline that I do not know if we can afford to just sit around waiting for them to say yea or nay. But, I will call them and talk to them directly. Thank you for your suggestions.

I wouldn't tell them that your niece is moving permanently to GA, just that she may be temporarily staying with you for periods of time during the year due to her mother's health issues (e.g. if her mother needs hospitalization or hospice care), and that therefore it would be better for her to be enrolled in the virtual school rather than the regular public school, because she will miss too much school during the times she'll be with you. That's how I would present it to them anyway. I would state that her FL address will remain her permanent legal address/residence, and that you anticipate your niece's stay in GA to be temporary and intermittent.

 

Jackie

[mamatanya]

Thanks for all of your suggestions. I did call the FL virtual school and they are unsure of what to do with my sister since she will be back and forth. They put me through to the global academy which costs money to let them determine where we should be. They have not called back yet. I found an umbrella school in FL that I am thinking about using. I would prefer to find one in the state of Georgia so that she might qualify for the GA scholarship. If anyone knows of one, please let me know.

[Martha in GA]

I know of one in the Macon area. Are you part of a homeschool group? Maybe you could ask the members of your local group? Maybe GHEA would have some leads for you?

 

Martha

[mamatanya]

Thank you Martha. I have not joined a local homeschool group yet. I am so new to this and we have not "officially" started school yet. I have spent the past several months picking out our curriculum, getting the house moved around, etc. My sister was just kind of a bonus thrown in at the last moment, so I have not got her life planned out yet, lol.

 

If I were to sign up for the school in Macon, would I have to go often? I live just north of Atlanta and would not mind having to do the drive on occasion if necessary. Also, the school that would have to use in FL as a cover, will cost @ $1200 for the year plus curriculum, I'd prefer to spend less if possible.

 

Thank you.

[Rhondabee]

Thank you Martha. I have not joined a local homeschool group yet. I am so new to this and we have not "officially" started school yet. I have spent the past several months picking out our curriculum, getting the house moved around, etc. My sister was just kind of a bonus thrown in at the last moment, so I have not got her life planned out yet, lol.

 

If I were to sign up for the school in Macon, would I have to go often? I live just north of Atlanta and would not mind having to do the drive on occasion if necessary. Also, the school that would have to use in FL as a cover, will cost @ $1200 for the year plus curriculum, I'd prefer to spend less if possible.

 

Thank you.

 

There is the Georgia Virtual School - I don't know anything about it, other than that it exists.

 

There is a huge homeschool group (or used to be) at Woodstock First Baptist Church. (Woodstock is in Cherokee County. WFBC is on the east side - close-ish to the Fulton County line.) I've heard that there is a newer group now meeting in Towne Lake, but I can't remember the name of the group.

 

Southeast Homeschool Expo will be at the Galleria (in Cobb County) July 30-31. Hopefully there will be some more helpful information there.

 

I know it must be overwhelming with most school systems here starting the first week of August. But, if it helps, we are in Georgia, and we won't be starting until September. My son's online classes aren't starting until then, my parents wanted to take the boys off in August, and I am simply not ready to start yet! So, try not to feel rushed. Take your time finding what you need.

[Martha in GA]

For the umbrella school in Macon, you would have to take a final in each of the classes in front of a proctor. I would guess most other things could be accomplished by other means of communication. I haven't actually used the umbrella school yet -- this will be my first year, so I can't give tons of details. But, I'm sure there are loads of opportunities in the Atlanta area and, hopefully, someone here will chime in.

 

I don't think the Georgia Virtual Academy will work for you because it is set up for the public school kids, not for homeschoolers, and I think you can only take 2 free classes, then you would have to pay for others.

 

I still think that your sister should be able to do FLVS because her legal residence is in FL. Military members who are FL residents and move to another state can still use FLVS (I have a friend here who did this.)

 

One other thought is to sign her up for a correspondence school like American School. It is relatively inexpensive (a little over $1000 for a diploma, including all the books). One of the negatives of using American School is that, IMHO, it is a little "light" and you would also want to add foreign language, more science, etc.

 

I hope you find something that works (and soon!).

 

Martha

[lmrich]

There are so many options in the Atlanta area, depending where you live exactly. Forsyth County is getting involved in an umbrella school; I don't know much about it. There are also several hybrid schools in the area, meaning she would take classes two days a week in building and then work at home the other three days. She would have a chance to meet people her age and have outside accountability. They range in price from $2000 to $8,000. These schools would get her an accredited diploma. She can also do dual enrollment at several colleges. Please contact a homeschool family in your nearby area to see what is out there.

[mamatanya]

There is the Georgia Virtual School - I don't know anything about it, other than that it exists.

 

There is a huge homeschool group (or used to be) at Woodstock First Baptist Church. (Woodstock is in Cherokee County. WFBC is on the east side - close-ish to the Fulton County line.) I've heard that there is a newer group now meeting in Towne Lake, but I can't remember the name of the group.

 

Southeast Homeschool Expo will be at the Galleria (in Cobb County) July 30-31. Hopefully there will be some more helpful information there.

 

I know it must be overwhelming with most school systems here starting the first week of August. But, if it helps, we are in Georgia, and we won't be starting until September. My son's online classes aren't starting until then, my parents wanted to take the boys off in August, and I am simply not ready to start yet! So, try not to feel rushed. Take your time finding what you need.

 

Thank you Rhonda. That is just such a hard thing to wrap my mind around. I mean, I know that I have more freedoms, but I just want to do this by the book with her since she is not my own child. I don't want my stepdad shaking his fingers at me. But, you are right and I appreciate the reminder. :)

[mamatanya]

For the umbrella school in Macon, you would have to take a final in each of the classes in front of a proctor. I would guess most other things could be accomplished by other means of communication. I haven't actually used the umbrella school yet -- this will be my first year, so I can't give tons of details.

 

I will try to find one in my areas. I have been searching for a local homeschool group to join since reading your last post. I really appreciate your suggestions.

[mamatanya]

There are so many options in the Atlanta area, depending where you live exactly. Forsyth County is getting involved in an umbrella school; I don't know much about it. There are also several hybrid schools in the area, meaning she would take classes two days a week in building and then work at home the other three days. She would have a chance to meet people her age and have outside accountability. They range in price from $2000 to $8,000. These schools would get her an accredited diploma. She can also do dual enrollment at several colleges. Please contact a homeschool family in your nearby area to see what is out there.

 

Thank you for your reply. I am going to try to get signed up for a local group so that I can meet other hs'ers. I have looked into some of the schools in the area, but I just don't have the money to spend on them. I am trying to get some help from my sister's parents, but her dad is not happy about her coming here and my mom is usually asleep and incoherent. =(

 

For anyone else reading this, I live in Cobb County GA, the Acworth, Kennesaw woodstock area. If you know of a private school that would cover me as an umbrella school that is local, please let me know. :bigear:

[Rhondabee]

I don't think the Georgia Virtual Academy will work for you because it is set up for the public school kids, not for homeschoolers, and I think you can only take 2 free classes, then you would have to pay for others.

 

I hope you find something that works (and soon!).

 

Martha

 

(ETA: OH, I see. You're not saying that homeschoolers can't take classes, just that they're not free. I would expect that there would be a fee for high school level classes.)

Edited July 8, 2010 by Rhondabee