Poll: Have You Thought About Homeschooling?

is known for above-average test scores and parental involvement. There are also a number of private and Catholic schools in town that enjoy a great reputation. In fact, many people move to town just for that: the schools. 

But not all families are happy with their options.

Parent Emmanuel Balan recently wrote to South Pasadena Patch: 

We have one daughter in , and our second daughter is at . Our third girl is at daycare but is trying to keep up with her sister: A) she wants to go to school already and B) pre-K is expensive and there seems to always be a waiting list. 

Both of us are teachers and can see how our girls are not being challenged. We're tired of the school system erroneously focusing on test scores while stumping kids' creativity. 

That's why Balan is considering homeschooling. And he's not alone. 

With four ways to legally homeschool in California, it's estimated that anywhere from 60,000 to 200,000 school-age children are learning outside conventional school settings in California.

Over 2 million students are estimated to be homeschooled nationwide.

Take our Patch poll, and let us know: Have you ever thought about homeschooling? What do you feel are the pros and cons? How have your kids fared at Sierra Madre and Pasadena Unified School District schools? 

Patch has also compiled a few resources for parents interested in homeshooling. Check it out: 

• Homeschool Association of California 
• Family Centered Education of Los Angeles (FaCE-LA)
• Excellence in Education Resource Center
• Just Enough Blog
• WISH
• Home4Kids
• California Virtual Academies