Middle school in particular is a super important time in a child's life for social development.
Hmm. Even when I was in middle school I thought the place should be closed and we should all go home and lock ourselves in our closets until puberty was DONE. I haven't changed my mind on that yet!
The only social interactions I remember was being teased by friends, embarrassing myself in some way nearly daily (like managing to break open a skittles bag being carried by a boy I adored, making a bit Skittley mess), and blushing every single time I had to talk. I probably could have lived without all of that....
I don't worry about the social aspect of our kids at all or most homeschool kids for that matter. It has been my experience that they can relate to all ages easily. They "can't" only talk to other 5th graders - they can easily talk to adults, play with other kids, and enjoy babies.
It's what I always noticed when meeting homeschooled teens, long before I married and had my son. And it's something most people notice about my son, that he can talk to *anyone*. (see above, with my public-schooled self blushing everywhere when talking to anyone)
OP, it really does depend on the state and the rep. The K12/WAVA (washington virtual academy) rep in my local area is, or perhaps was (if she was replaced) the WORST spokesperson they could have. She actually talked me out of it. Without even meaning to. She hosted an ice cream social, we showed up, got one thing of ice cream, and she acted like we were JUST there for the ice cream, and had to be coaxed into giving us the pamphlets she was holding to her chest. Then she told me that I would be "basically the TA". And right there, I wasn't going to do it.
We went with full-on homeschooling instead, using a completely different sort of curriculum.
She talked another family out of it, by telling them they absolutely could not do their annual September trip home to South America, because they had to be in the country to start school on time. Like doing it from Brazil wasn't even an option. Talked them right out of it!
And what's funny is that the people I've met at the Y who use other WA virtual academies with other curriculum choices have said that it's super-easy in WA (it sure is with full homeschooling!), and that you can do it from anywhere, and it's nowhere near as strict as the K12/WAVA lady indicated.
It really depends on the state and rep. Best of luck to you!