Considering Virtual School (k-12 program)

We've tried various "ADHD diets" over the years, none that made enough of a difference that was worth the hassle with 6 people to feed.

Squish have you made his diet diet free and high omega? Our son is younger than yours but we saw a huge difference.

Trace....with the virtual school it's just like the classroom but at home. The teaching is done by a computer program and actual teachers. Parents just do what they normally would do if the kids went to public school. Supplementing. It's a really great program it seems like and it's nice that it's part of our public school system. My husband is really gung ho about going forward with it and enrolling him (because it requires state paperwork to transfer our taxes) and there is a time frame that you need to do it by (which is in July).

Also look up local homeschooling groups for field trips they maybe takin so your son can be involved. My son will also be in public school while my 2 dds are homeschooled. He is fine with it. I know my oldest will really benefit a lot from homeschool.

I'm so mad k-12 isn't going to be in my state this year even tho idk if I would use it or not Bc I'm pretty sure they have to use common core bs is what I'm trying to get away from.we are going to use bob jones and online stuff for my dd.

We must have the same kid, big hugs for you. We also choose not to medicate and the school hates us for it. The virtual school sounds like a good idea if you can teach him. I know that I couldn't, I wasn't blessed with a teaching spirit.

Could you maybe try it this summer as a trial and if he likes it pull him in the fall? Best of luck to you I know it frustrating.

That seriously sucks, I hope whatever route you go works well for him.

I'm sorry to hear that squishy. Not every school is like that. Firstly they have a duty of care to your son the same as anyone else's. and secondly all the schools I've worked in have encouraged parents NOT to medicate unless it really is the only option left for them. I work in a school of almost 700 pupils aged 3-11 and there is one child on meds. We don't even agree with that one but the mother believes it to be the panacea for all her daughters difficulties.

No one should be pushed to do something that fundamentally goes against their principles.

Nic...he's done loads of different therapies (occupational, speech, developmental) it's helped tons, but that part of the brain on him doesn't work like it does with us due to a birth injury and he just can't hold onto his control when it gets to a certain point. He has an IEP, but it's still like herding cats with the school. They really just don't want to deal with him. I pretty much stand alone in refusing to medicate to make him comply. I don't know any child in the school that has similar issues with his ADHD that isn't medicated for it. Including his teachers kid who continually pushes the glory of the meds to us.

I think virtual school is a great option and something we are seriously looking into for our son when he's old enough for many reasons.

My one cousins wife is an administrator for a cyber school and their daughters will be doing it.

I've talked with several kids that I've come in contact with that do cyber school and all of them preferred it to a traditional classroom.

I totally get that! Our sons school didn't want to deal with his 504 plan so we went round and round last year. I could homeschool but I didn't really want to! We have 2 more littles at home so it would have been stressful.

Have you tried a counseling? I know a guy who was very emotional and was taught ways to process it and the change with incredible. He saw a psychiatrist but did not need to go on medication

There are lots of different people in this world who won't fit the mould of the perfect child. The school are failing your son so meeting his needs at home will surely improve his self esteem and confidence. Nothing is set in stone so you can always change your mind if it's not working out. He might only need a short time with you to help him through or he might need home schooling permanently at least you are meeting his needs.

I'm a teacher and it always makes me sad to hear of school's who won't try to meet the needs of their pupils. If you do decide to go back to school find a better one for him, not all school's are equal.

I am hoping it will be a temporary measure, while we work on his issues at home. I know he will come into that and that its not forever, and that as he gets closer to being an adult it will be easier for him to manage and in turn for the school to.

I have a friend that did this for one of their daughters & it was just perfect for her! She did find on her school work, just really struggled IN the classroom. It's still the same time model as conventional school (he would have set times for lessons with "his teacher"/"class" so you'll still have set time where he's "in school".

I totally understand the feelings regarding homeschooling. You know we homeschool BUT it was really done out of necessity for DS, not because it was what I wanted. Over the years my views on school have really changed & now we do a very eclectic, lax homeschooling kinda unschooling. Lol.

There's definitely no harm in trying it & if it doesn't work reconsidering other options. :)

I use the program for my sons in my state. We LOVE their program. I get support from teachers and the lessons are set up for me. It's amazing. If you want to pm me any questions, feel free!

I could handle it....I just don't really want to ??. I know we aren't supposed to say that lol but it's true. I was looking forward to having all 4 kids in school. I'm just so over dealing with the school, and they are over dealing with him and they've made it quite known with the phone call I get every single day about something ?. I want him to get a good education, he's a great kid and he takes things personally even if it's not about him. He's so sweet, I just don't want him to think it's a punishment.

My neighbors are doing this with one of their children. They seem to really like it. He is still really involved in other things so he doesn't really miss social interaction. And it would not have to be forever. He may only want/need this for a little while and then can go back to mainstream public education. If you think that you can handle having him home all day and monitoring his schooling, I think it is a great option.

It's at home on a computer but there are group outings and things. From what I can tell, the main difference between normal k-12 virtual school, and this is that there is in person interaction with the teachers over the course of a quarter. Not just phone/Skype....and it's free.

He's such a sweet kid, he just has such issues sitting still and reigning in his emotions and the school is just over it.

My oldest is on his last year in virtual school. It's great, he gets a full public school education plus I help him self educate on tons of other skills as topics the schools will never teach.

Anyways the teacher fills me on 2 times a month and the teacher has a phone conference with him once a week. There is also a weekly over the phone assessment and discussion with the teacher each week too.

It's a great way to still get education.

Lanie...he is! He's in Taekwondo and Irish step dancing.

I was in k12 virtual academy . I passed with straight A's , I wish you the best of luck if you decide to do it. I liked it, hopefully he will also (:

Wishing...near Milwaukee/Madison yes, but not down by me. I'm about an hour- hour a half from both areas.

The charter school is really great, they have lots of group activities with other virtual school students. Field trips, and outings and fun things. So there lots of opportunities for social stuff with the program which is nice.

I just applied for my daughters spot for 3rd grade. I'm done with the school she isn't taking it too well. She is convinced that she will never see her friends again and that is her main issue with the whole thing.

She has yet to understand that she will have more time to understand the work and that things will be at her pace and while she will complete the same number of days she will not be spending as many hours doing school work.

Is there a brick and mortar charter near you? We have a few locally, done are full time like regular public school, done go a fifty fifty home learning and school learning thing. They all benefit from smaller class sizes and more innovative teaching methods.