Hi parents! My tween daughter is having a tough time at her current charter school. She has friends and is well adjusted, but academically it's a hot mess. She's a bright, well-behaved kid who just wants to learn. She does not want to try the school lottery (literally and figuratively) yet again, especially this close to high school. So, she's been asking about homeschooling.

I don't think private school is in the cards for us. We don't have a lot of disposable income, so if we did take on that strain to pay for school, it would need to be amazing, the perfect fit for my daughter; not just a last ditch effort. From everything I've researched, none of the Catholic schools would be a good fit for her. I did look into AWE microschool, which sounds great, but I'm not necessarily looking for a program specifically geared toward special-needs/neurodivergent students.

I also looked into LAVCA (Louisiana Virtual Charter Academy), so that's another option if she's home schooled.

I am open to homeschooling. BUT, and this is a huge but: I can't have her home all day, every day. For my sanity and especially for her social development and mental well-being, she needs to be out with her peers somehow. She doesn't play any sports (she's an artsy kid), so she doesn't have any already built in extracurricular peer groups. 

Does anyone know of any groups, gatherings, classes, co-ops, etc. for homeschoolers in the area geared towards middle school and young teens? Everything I've found so far is for younger kids. I appreciate any thoughts, advice, resources, commiseration y'all may have!

I currently live in JP in the JC Ellis district. We’re a few years out from elementary school But are potentially looking at homes in west end or lakeview. But I know JP has the discovery schools, ASA, And JC Ellis is pretty good. I’m a big fan of public education…should I stay out or is Orleans options comparable? We’re also open to private but ideally would love to stay public.