We just started homeschooling ds7 this year. We are enrolled in a public charter homeschool. We are in California and it seems that we have many of these public charter homeschools our area. My school provides 1 academic day and 1 lab (fun) day per week. His schedule gives me a little time off and gives him some sense of belonging. They give you some money to pay for curriculum and group classes outside school. He meets friends and I meet many friendly moms in school. The school also has choir, band, soccer team and theatre after school. The teacher is very supportive. We see her every 5 weeks to turn in his works, but we can always reach her anytime during the week. We have a wonderful experience with our school so far.
I have also found a Yahoo homeschool group and a Meet-up group for homeschoolers in my area. However, with all the hsing we need to do as well as classes in school, we have no time for anything else.
I have friends who join the co-op. They meet once a week and have field trips and classes together. There is less restrictions. There is no teacher to hold you responsible, but you don't get the free classes and money to pay for curriculum.
