The first time I had to meet with my son’s teacher, he was just starting kindergarten. I squeezed into a small chair designed for children, knees practically to my chest, cheeks flushed, as she laid out the concerns. “He hardly participates,” she explained. “He prefers to wander off and engage with other kids instead of focusing on his work.” She handed me a worksheet meant for him to trace numbers; instead, he had written, “I LOVE YOU MOM.”
It was a moment that brought tears to my eyes, and the first time I found myself wishing he could just conform for his own sake — if only to make things easier. My heart broke for him, and it wouldn’t be the last time.
His school years were a turbulent mix of highs and lows, but the recurring theme was always the same: he was distracted, lacking motivation, and often a disruption to the “good” students. Eventually, he received a formal ADHD diagnosis. After trying medication, we saw improvements, but when we adjusted the dosage, he experienced negative side effects and opted for a break from the medication. How could we refuse him that?
Using strategies from his cognitive-behavioral therapist, he attempted to manage his ADHD, but soon enough, challenges at school escalated again. The breaking point came during a sixth-grade parent-teacher conference. The feedback was all too familiar, but now there was an added layer: classmates were starting to bully him. Teachers reported that they encouraged him to act out because they knew he would comply. He’d even pretend to be a dog when prompted.
My heart sank. On the drive home, I broke down. “We can’t let him endure this any longer,” I sobbed to my husband. “Middle school is tough enough, even for kids who fit in.” He agreed; we needed a new approach. But what could we do?
Some might consider traditional homeschooling, but that idea intimidated me. I had thought about it before, yet the idea of being solely responsible for my son’s education felt overwhelming. Then I discovered an online public school program that offered a hybrid model. After some exploration, we enrolled him in a program called K12, which aligned with our state’s curriculum. The orientation process took a few days, where we learned what to expect and how we could support him.
The school provided a loaner laptop, a printer, and all necessary textbooks and materials at no cost, since it’s a public institution. His school schedule runs Monday through Friday, starting at 9 a.m. with subjects like social studies and language arts, followed by lunch, science, math, and an hour for wrap-up—similar to a study hall. While there are no music or PE classes like in traditional schools, we have the flexibility to pursue those activities at home or find community classes.
He logs into his classes using a portal called Blackboard, where he can engage with his teachers and classmates through chat and video. The daily lessons resemble smartboard presentations, allowing him to follow along with videos and interact when he needs to. Assignments are submitted online, and occasionally, he completes work by hand, which we can easily scan or photograph to send to his teachers.
Socialization isn’t neglected in this online format. The school offers various online clubs and even organizes in-person events, such as a recent talent show at the local science center just for online students. Plus, he has three siblings and plenty of neighborhood friends to play with, ensuring he has ample social interaction.
As his “learning coach,” my role is to support him rather than teach directly. I help him stay organized and focused, which can be quite a task at times. I can log into the school’s site to track his progress, assignments, and attendance, which is crucial since he needs to meet a certain number of hours for the year. He takes regular tests online, and for state testing, we drive to a nearby hotel where a teacher monitors him to ensure he’s adhering to testing protocols.
While my responsibilities have increased compared to simply sending him off to school, it’s manageable. I still allow him to learn from his teachers while primarily acting as a supportive presence. The transformation we’ve seen has been remarkable. He no longer requires a specialized learning plan, as he can move around during classes; we even got him a small trampoline, which he uses instead of sitting in a chair. The distractions from peers are significantly reduced, and his ability to learn in a comfortable environment has improved tremendously.
The effort and planning required are a small price to pay for the positive changes in his attitude. If someone told me I had to stand on my head all day to help my son succeed, I’d do it without hesitation. Every child deserves an educational environment tailored to their needs, and right now, that environment is our home. If you’re interested in exploring more about home-based education, check out our blog on artificial insemination kits for additional insights.
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In summary, online education has provided my son with a supportive and flexible learning environment tailored to his unique needs, allowing him to thrive academically and socially.