"Homeschooling" is a bit of a misnomer because of the significant variance in what it might entail. The majority of people I know who are "homeschooling" are actually fully enrolled in virtual schools that operate similarly to brick and mortar ones, with certified teachers providing all instruction and grading assignments and tests, and students simply taking the majority of their classes online from home or another location. There are public, tuition-free virtual schools such as CAVA (California Virtual Academy) that typically have curriculum and graduation requirements more aligned with those of public schools within their state, and private virtual schools such as the ones operated by Stanford and George Washington University for high schoolers who are seeking courses at a more advanced, collegiate level.
I probably shouldn't have revealed that I'm attending Stanford OHS but since I already did many months ago and nobody has kidnapped or stalked me out, I feel reasonably comfortable providing more information specifically for it. The majority of my classes are discussion seminars that meet twice a week (Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday) in real-time for 75 minute sessions. Since there are students from around the world, the school day is a bit unorthodox to accommodate those in various time zones. All of the classes are interactive with each student engaged and participating. We have special software on our computers that allow us to virtually raise our hands, draw on the board, and submit dialogue via text or vocally. We have webcams so that we can hear and see one another. I can wear pajamas and drink coffee throughout the class if I'd like but I can't just log on and then space out and not contribute. The teachers have actually be more prone to noticing inattentive or distracted students than in traditional class settings because they can see our faces up close and clearly, and lapses in involvement are more noticeable by all. Each person is expected to intelligently participate in the class discussions, providing our own insights and commentary. I've always attended private schools with smaller teacher to student ratios that created more dynamic class discussions, but some kids who've been to public schools have said that they are are far participatory in our online classes.
If you're curious to see the format of the classes you can watch one of the videos here:
https://ohs.stanford.edu/virtual_classroom.html
Much of our work is done outside of the class settings, with extensive reading assignments and papers. We also collaborate on group projects using apps like VoiceThread to work together. There are class discussion boards that we are expected to provide responses to throughout the week outside of the class times.
We don't have classes on Fridays but most of us stay very active on that day. I am still taking some art and independent research classes with my local private school, I spend Fridays on campus to work in the studio, attend assembly, and stay tied in with the community I love.
Many students who go to Stanford OHS and other similar schools are very accomplished in extracurricular activities and the online classes online for more flexibility. One of my friends has already performed at Carnegie Hall and another is an actress. I switched to online school primarily so that I could have time to devote to dance training. Many of the dance classes I take meet during the school day and would conflict with normal school hours. I'm also able to travel more, and when I'm sick it's not as overwhelming because I don't miss out on as much that I then have to make up for when I'm well. Though attendance is mandatory at the classes, you can obtain excused absences when you're sick or there's another legitimate reason. The class sessions are recorded so you can simply view them at your convenience.
My parents are really not any more involved in my schooling than they were when I physically attended school. This isn't to say that they are inactive or indifferent,
because they are very passionate and devoted to my education. The school provides them with tools like an app that allows them to view my assignments and grades, and easily and directly contact teachers if they desire. They've been aware of virtually every quiz I've had and homework I've been assigned since I was in preschool, haha. Whereas in traditional homeschool environments many parents assume the responsibilities a teacher would in a school classroom, in a virtual school teachers and administrators are still fulfilling those roles. My parents are very educated and successful, but they don't have the same level of education and experience specific to all the subjects I'm taking. So they entrust my teachers - most of whom have Masters or PhDs from excellent universities in the subjects they are teaching - to provide the bulk of my classroom education for me. My parents have not designed my curriculum; selected textbooks, reading and other materials for my classes; provided any classroom instruction; or given or graded any assignments, quizzes, or exams. All work is submitted to the teachers directly and graded by them. Exams must be proctored by someone other than a parent or other family member. Some make arrangements to take the exams in front of their webcams. I just take my exams at my other school. The two schools coordinate everything with one another, and I just go in, take the exam in an empty classroom with a teacher either staying there with me doing things on her laptop or popping in periodically, and then the exam is taken by the teacher and submitted to the school.
