Entering school after being homeschooled

[oceanbaby]

I am on the fence about homeschooling right now. This fall I'll be touring schools to look for a kindergarten/elementary school for ds1 for the following year (2006). I have a fantasy about finding the perfect school, but somehow I don't think it really exists. So depending on what we find, I may homeschool.

But what happens if I homeschool for a few years and then we decide to enroll him in school for whatever reason? And does it change if it's 3rd grade, or 8th grade, or highschool? How do you think kids handle the transition from homeschooling to a regular school? Has anyone dealt with this?

[applejuice]

Can only speak from personal experience.

I homeschooled my older children off and on.

After much consternation about public schools and their problems, I decided to homeschool my youngest. Then my DH died after a long illness. I enrolled my DS in sixth grade in the school in which I teach, a religious private school.

He is doing well academically and socially,

ETA:

...much to the surprise of the administration and other teachers at this school who were keeping an eye on him for problems. They thought he would be clingy or homesick or some such nonsense, but no, nothing like that...he is popular and has told me to keep my distance: : , but at thirteen, that is probably normal. :LOL , I think.

My DS #3:!

[lilyka]

My friend went to private school after homeschooling through 6 and 8th grade. They did beautifully on all fronts. Oh I also know another family who went into PS and they did OK. Accademically and socially they did well but thier attitudes sort of deteriorated as the blended in with thier peers. It was dissapointing (to the degree that thier last two have continued to be homeschooled through high school) but thier kids were happy, well adjust and hadno problem accademically or socially making the transition.

[urklemama]

You're in SF, right, oceanbaby? I'm sorry to break it to you but you won't be on the fence anymore after you tour the schools around here. You've got a choice between dire for free, and not so bad for 10k/year.

[atypicalandrea]

I had one that we put in school for grades 6 & 7. We just showed up and they plunked him in the age-appropriate class, and waited to see how it went.
Which was beautifully, acedemically. The principal even told me in a meeting we did a wonderful job homeschooling him, but we had many other meeting where we discussed the fact he was being bullied, punched, pushed etc... with teachers present.
Plus he got *really* bored, even when in a 7/8 split class doing 8th grade work, and the other student's actions really bothered him, even when they were not directed at him. Talking in class, leaving the room, not paying attention to the teacher etc...

Now he's 17 and graduating from home. I think he originally handld the switch just fine, but he was awfully stressed and irritable when he got home (then again, he *IS* a teenager).

[Fieryfly]

My oldest will be entering a public school classroom for the first time. He will be in 4th grade. Honestly, I do not envison any problems with his transition. He has had several classroom experiences with sunday school and homeschool classes. He also has several ps friends who have generously shared with him the public school environment from the ice cream parties, homework, and which teachers are the meanest. Next year seems to be the best time for him to try out public school since he is very mature, is eager to go, and will be in the highest grade offered at the school. Fifth grade will be a totally different story.

The toughest part of the transition I know will be on my end. I do not completely agree with this decision, but I feel it is in the best interest of my DS. I will support him, help him follow through, and take it year by year. I will still be happily homeschooling my youngest for K.