[RUSSELL HICKS]

Welcome, and thank you for sharing something so personal — it’s clear how much you love your daughter and how hard you’re working to figure this out for her!

A few thoughts from someone who has been in similar trenches:

What you’re describing — a bright, creative kid who learns fast, hates busywork, and shuts down in chaotic environments — is actually a really common profile among kids who thrive with homeschooling. The fact that she’s already on meds, has a therapist, and has a 504 tells me you’re not a family that ignores problems. You’re clearly advocates. That matters a lot in this journey.

On the “both working full time” piece — this stops so many families, but it’s worth knowing that homeschooling looks wildly different than it did even 10 years ago. It doesn’t have to mean one parent home all day teaching. A lot of families in your situation use a hybrid of:

Microschools or homeschool co-ops — small groups of kids, often parent-led or with a paid educator, meeting a few days a week. The Seattle area has a surprisingly robust network of these. Washington Homeschool Organization (WHO) is a great starting point.

Online programs — Washington has some good options including public ones like WAVA (Washington Virtual Academy) that are free and accredited. She could work at her own pace, skip ahead when she gets something, and avoid the chaos entirely. This might be doable even with both parents working since she could work independently.

Part-time or “hybrid” homeschooling — some families pull their kids from traditional school but use a mix of community college running start (available earlier than people think in WA), online courses, tutors, and enrichment classes to piece together an education that fits the kid.

On the school environment you described — vaping, kids coming in high, no accountability — as a teacher in the district yourself, you already know that’s not likely to resolve on its own. And for an anxious kid with social sensitivities, that environment can be genuinely re-traumatizing every single day. Sometimes the bravest thing is deciding the environment itself is the problem, not your daughter.

The “7th grade is the worst” thing is true for a lot of kids — but for kids with anxiety and sensory or social sensitivity, the damage done during those years can linger. You know your daughter. Trust that.

On finances and logistics — it might be worth doing a real number crunch. What does her chronic absenteeism cost you in stress, her therapist visits, her mental health? Sometimes the “we can’t afford it” math shifts when you factor in what the current situation is actually costing. And if you’re in the Seattle area, some surrounding communities (Snohomish County, parts of Pierce County) have significantly lower costs of living while still being close enough to access Seattle-area homeschool communities.

You’re already halfway there just by taking this seriously. This group will have a lot of wisdom for you — ask away!

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