we are in our 2nd month of using the services of a curriculum provider here in Saskatchwan Canada. It is a new business, but it is affiliated with our University of Saskatchewan, and is accredited with our provincial Ministry of Education.
There are 2 choices - a "ala carte" menu with choices of LA, Math, SS, Science and Health/Arts Ed. You can choose as many subjects as you want - the more you buy the less you pay - all 5 subjects for one month is $170. It hooks you up with a website for some of the work, other is done on your own. The Math is MathUSee - they send the books (which you don't own & must return). There is a teacher you can access, and she grades the work at the end of the month. You can modify the coursework if you want (ie you pick the book you read for LA each month). You are still the boss of your child's work.
They also have another option - a virtual school. You sign up for the year for $3000. There are some other features you get access to. You have to sign in everyday. The student is answerable to the teacher, the teacher to the school and the school to the Ministry of Education. The same as when a child is in public school. I didn't want this - lose all the advantages of homeschooling I think. But you can do it "at home", and it would be flexible, timewise.
Even though your friends are not in Saskatchewan, I think this could be an option. the costs quoted are in Cdn dollars, so it would be cheaper for you in the US.
My dd is 11, she does the work basically all on her own.
Janice
