My old high school system turned to hell during my last few years. Basically all the best teachers left out to retirement since they were getting to that age and troubles within the district for very young and inexperienced (bad) teachers.

Our whole school system should be redone in my opinion but that would be a long process.

Absolutely. You see it at our school too, which is a public school, but one with an alternative program which relies on lots of parental involvement. In fact it's parent run. Literally. The parents who don't care generally are not attracted to the school (it's is a magnet school, enrollment is not neighborhood-based), and the kids with parents who don't care who do end up there -well there are enough parents who do care to go around, so they get the benefit too.

Good points, clod and monster!

Homeschooling is great as long as it is not an excuse for religious indoctrination.

That is none of your business.

If by his business you mean that he shouldn't be able to prevent it, I agree. If you mean that he shouldn't say it isn't great, then I'll wholeheartedly disagree. Parents who homeschool to protect their kids from "evilution" or knowledge of contraception are doing their kids a grave disservice.

We agree.

...or an excuse not to get out into the real world & work. I think the vast majority of homeschooling is a great thing, even though my kids got screwed by it.

Especially if you were responsible for their spelling lesson. ;)

We joined a health club - so the kids take classes (gymnastics, swimming, dance, cheerleading, karate, soccer, flag football, cooking, etc so far) with lots of other kids. And they just hang out at the pool, the kids gym, or the video game room sometimes too.
Last school year we were getting together about once a week with another homeschool family to do field trips. There are 2 or 3 other families interested in doing that with us this year.
I joined an email list (yahoo groups) for local homeschoolers, and there are always people looking to get together for this and that - as well as a ton of useful questions and answers.

I am *not* a social butterfly, and kept my kids in private school longer than I really wanted to because I was concerned about socialization. Its not so hard though, and it's real. They play with the kids they really like - and aren't locked in a room with ones they don't, based only on age and lottery.

Whatever works for you though, that's my philosophy. Right now homeschooling is working for us but we do constantly reevaluate and stay aware of our options. (There's a quaker school that I would LOVE to send them to, just can't afford it)

LOL - great one for me - I was burnin the chicken and posted without checking.

I corrected it. :)

I'm the music teacher and occasional phys ed instructor. which is to say that jinx does ALL of the work. I'm busy getting the money.

we used to call that 'being a dick' I still get that some days. only the days that end with a 'y' though.

This is the answer. We're still in a Catholic school here because it's still working for us. No bullying, high expectations, and the friends they've been with for years... just try to do right by your kids.

I think Catholic and Episcopal schools are great. Many cater to other denominations and go out of their way not to indoctrinate.
The local Episcopal school advertises it and is the best school in the district.

Excuse me!
I think some on here are making very wrong comments on an issue involving children.
Could you please rethink your comment?