I have used it for years and found it worthwhile, but I did not know about ABCteach and will check it out too!!

My kids use Rosetta Stone and it really works! The youngest kid I have used it with was 7, but I think I will try my 5yo on it this year and see how it goes. My children have really learned Spanish using it and I would say it is well worth the $$

I would highly recommend the FAIR(not BFAIR) manuals for ANY age. I have used them for ages 4-14. There is so much you can do using them as a springboard and modify for almost any age. I have found that even teenage boys love the terrific classic picture books and cannot resist sneaking in and listening when I read them outloud!! The manuals are not, strictly speaking, necessary. But they are so affordable, why not?? They are the best deal for curricula out there, IMHO. You can even find them used on ebay, etc. The FAIR forums are also a great source of ideas. And to address the question of skills...well the only thing it does not teach very well is math. Again, IMHO, you could use only FIAR and Saxon for 1-3 grade and your kids would be wonderfully educated.(Well and some sort of phonics/reading program. But Starfall.com would more than adequate for that) I highly encourage the use of the free lapbook ideas on HSS. And let your imagination run wild and explore what ever themes catch you and the kid's interest for each book. You can really go hog wild. For example, when we rowed The Story of Ping we learned about ducks, different kinds of boats, China (flag,map, culture, customs, money, etc) we made handmade paper, made our own Chinese food, went to a Chinese restaurant, studied other Chinese animals, Chinese calligraphy, read some other books that take place in China and because it was the year of the Olympics in Beijing, we watched the Olympics, studied the history of the Olympics, learned about new-to-us sports like curling and more!! As you might have guessed, we often row for more than a week. But you don't HAVE to do a huge deal like that if you don't want, it is designed to be simple and short. I just love the idea of following a learning thread and exploring it out.

I have had children go on to college without a GED or a diploma. Many universities, esp private, are willing to work with you and they will rely heavily on ACT/SAT scores and essays. I encourage you to have your student attempt to contact the Dean of Admissions for the schools of choice and explain their circumstances.

In my experience teenage boys do not homeschool under Mom very well. The age at which this begins to happen varies with the boy/hormones/etc but can happen anywhere from 12 up. They are just no longer wired to take direction from Mom. Hence, why in the "old days" they were out in the fields with Dad or apprenticed out. So, please, do not beat yourself up about this, It is the natural order of things as I like to say. As other people have suggested, the best idea is a job, preferably physical that holds some interest for him. My son that is 17 started apprenticing as plumber 2 years ago and it truly saved our relationship. He is now planning on going to college next year. He has enjoyed working with his hands and learning new things so much that I have been able to use his going to work as a bargaining chip. He has agreed to do certain studies in order to have the privilege of working!! This year he will be doing Calculus, Physics, Spanish II. And he has over $10K saved for his mission and college! Talk about a win-win. For some kids it might be working with a printer or doing computer work, or even working at medical office. Think of people that own their own business, they are more likely to hire a teenager. BTW, I helped him find this apprenticeship because he has some learning disabilities and at the time was acting like long-term education was not for him, but now he is seeing the bigger picture and has gained a lot of self confidence and his brain has had a chance to mature. I think sometimes they need a chance to be active with their hands and a little idle with their brains!!;-) I hope it works out for you. Mothering teenage boys is never smooth sailing!!

grind your own fresh whole wheat. Just buy wheat berries somewhere that sells in bulk like a co-op or Whole Foods, etc. Nothing like freshly ground wheat. The white wheat makes better bread than the red wheat, BTW

At that age I would ditch structured spelling. I cannot say enough good things about Starfall.com for a fun way for your child to learn phonics, reading and spelling. And just read on the lap a lot! Doesn't get better than that!