I was miserable in school, too. Looking back, I think I was one of only 2 HG+ kids in my grade -- and the other girl left for private school. I was subjected to near constant bullying. Some years were better, some were worse. Most of the bullying was verbal, but on one occasion, I was beat up. It was humiliating. I learned to be ashamed of who I was. I had no idea why this was happening except this vague knowledge that I was different. Attitudes to bullying were different then. When I told me mom about it, she comforted me and encouraged me to ignore them, but nothing else was done. When I fell in love with Russian lit at 14 and realized that the Rostov children in War & Peace didn't go to school but learned at home from a tutor, I pretty much decided then I would homeschool my kids.
And, hey! My dd has made it to 11 without any significant bullying! She doesn't feel badly about herself! Isn't depressed! Or lonely! Homeschooling has been great for us.
