Lori, thanks so much for your helpful response. I definitely think my son has lost his brain somewhere. He'll turn 15 this spring and I wonder if his mind will return then? I see benefits from both school and home, so really don't know what to do! It kind of saddens me that if we send him to school, we won't be able to pick courses for him to suit his needs and interests, but at the same time, he doesn't appreciate it and complains that everything is so boring and he hates school. He's my firstborn, so maybe this is normal?

I would like to do that, but he really doesn't like online classes, so a full schedule of them isn't a good option. Plus, the temptation to switch screens and get off task is too strong, even though I've blocked all the websites he likes to visit. I catch him emailing friends when he should be working. The battles are never ending.

Right, this is a bit of a concern, but he does like to do well for others. He takes an online writing course and makes sure he submits papers on time, and he is always checking for new grades. I think he's just too comfortable at home.

My child is also "bright, but scattered", and I don't know what is left but for us to send him outside the home so he will learn to be responsible and accountable without my constant reminders. He has a bulletin board and planner and refuses to use either to help himself. I also write reminders on the board and he still doesn't pay attention. However, for the past three years he has taken one online class, and he is able to remember when those assignments are due and constantly checks his grades!

I talked to him about it and he doesn't want to go to school (also a small Christian school where he knows a few students), but we are still going to visit in a couple weeks, anyway. I told him the reasons we are considering sending him, but he isn't on board. He is very social and I actually think he would truly benefit from being in school in order to have more structure and accountability.

For those who have sent their kids to public or private school, what made you decide to do so? We are thinking about sending our current 9th grade son to private school next year so he can be accountable to someone else. He just isn't motivated at home and me being a constant task master is really beginning to wear me out.

I'm very encouraged by everyone here and so glad I posted the question. I enjoy reading about the various experiences. Keep them coming!

Sad, but true.

Do you mind telling me what some of your courses were?

I see this with my nieces. My sister pushed to have one of them who has serious dyslexia into algebra early because all her friends were taking it and she didn't want her daughter to feel badly about herself. So then my brother-in-law spends umpteen hours of time helping her with homework every night. It's insane. They also push, push, push for her to make honor roll for her "self-esteem".

I see this with my nieces. My sister pushed to have one of them who has serious dyslexia into algebra early because all her friends were taking it and she didn't want her daughter to feel badly about herself. So then my brother-in-law spends umpteen hours of time helping her with homework every night. It's insane. They also push, push, push for her to make honor roll for her "self-esteem".

Thank you. I think my kid could handle AP courses, but I can definitely see him not wanting to do the work. He's not motivated as it is.

Yes, all these posts are making me feel better, especially hearing your daughter is really lazy. My son is pretty lazy, but is motivated to learn any instrument he can get his hands on.

I'm finding that in my circle of homeschoolers, the majority of high school kids are taking the typical courses as well, especially for science, so I begin to think I should be doing the same. Did you find that colleges were impressed or intrigued by your childrens' atypical transcripts?

My oldest is in 9th grade and is probably college-bound. My mom, who does support our homeschooling, keeps mentioning to me that my kids need to be able to compete with their public schooled-peers, which makes me second guess what I'm doing. She sees how hard my nieces are pushed at ps and worries my kids will be behind somehow. For instance, my 8th grade niece has to do chemistry computations I don't remember doing until high school. I personally think they are pushed way too hard too young and they have hours of homework to do almost every evening. But, I guess I would still just like my mind to be set at ease. Any thoughts?

Has anyone used this?

Can those who have used this tell me about their experiences?

He actually did do the majority of labs in Rainbow Biology last year. Is it possible to count that towards high school biology?

My son has asked for chemistry instead of bio. He's in algebra 1 this year, so I don't know if he'll be ready for it. My dad is a retired chemistry, ecology, and physics teacher and oh how I wish he lived nearby. Why don't you want to teach biology?

What are the sciences you have your kids take and why didn't your first two take biology?

Thank you, Lanny. Very helpful.

Great ideas! Thanks, I'll look into those.

Yes, definitely more of a humanities kid. Science is more of a struggle.

This might just work.