Yeah, what we've been doing is basically homeschooling, and I have said to DH "Look at how much he knows and has learned already. We can do this. We ARE doing this".
He accuses me of putting my anti-school bias on to my son, and points out how he thrives in structured settings like TaeKwonDo and the Build and Grow Workshops at Lowe's, and might thrive in the structured school environment as well. I wish I could say DH is being ignorant or obstinate, but his arguments are well thought out, even though we disagree.
It is possible to "structure" a homeschool. It can be as relaxed or as regimented as you wish.
I have an ADHD child. We cannot be relaxed homeschoolers. We learn at her pace, but we are regimented. She has checklists, we sit down at the table to do school.
I know folks who start promptly at this time, break at this time, et cetera.
An extra-curricular activity is NOT structured like a public school in a box.
I remember walking through halls in first grade with my index finger perpendicular to my lips. That seemed a bit of overkill for structure IMHO.
I am not anti-public school. I think it is unfair for those who choose homeschooling to say that they are "anti-public school". It places us in a box and refuses to acknowledge homeschooling as a viable alternative.
The number one question I get asked is don't I believe the schools are good?
To me--it is irrelevant. We have the times, we have the means, we have the right. I shouldn't have to be "against" public school to choose homeschooling.
Some parents put their kids in dance, others take a more sports oriented track. Does it mean that one set of parents is against arts and the other is anti-sport. Not in all cases. So why would we presume that all parents who puts girls in soccer are anti-arts? We wouldn't. They have made a choice that works for their family based on the interests of the family.
I use the same logic for homeschooling. It works, my daughters are thriving and they have time to do other things they love.
To me--the statistics are unneeded except to shut people up who insist are defending their public school choices when I never questioned them for it. It's like they are intimidated or something. I cannot quite articlute what I mean. I keep to myself but it always seems I get pulled into this conversation:
"I don't see how you can do homeschooling. My child would never listen to me. That and the public school is so good."
"I don't know, it is just what works for our family."
"But don't you think your child is missing out on lots of things."
"Not really, we do lots of things."
"Yeah--but the schools are so good here, do you think you can measure up."
"My kids are doing fine."
"What about testing--how do you know?"
"As a matter of fact we do test. We don't teach to the test. I will actually tell my daughter to make it a game--and if she doesn't know something, skip it. She does very well on her tests."
"I don't know--I still don't think I could do it."
"Well, there are lots of resources that I use. Lots of information out there."
"yeah....but the public schools are so good."
I dare say--it often sounds like a cry for help--but not. And in other conversations you will here about the inappropriate things they learn from other children be it sex, attitude, or whatever.
Schools are needed b/c not everyone wants to homeschool and that's fine. But I wish those parents who do that would stop taking out their anxieties on me as though I am questioning their choices by virtue of making a different choice.
I am getting so excited. Tomorrow we are kicking things off with a visit to a bug festival in our city and then Monday we start our unit on butterflies. Our insect lore critters have built their chrysalises and now we are just waiting for them to hatch. Here we go! 
, and they have been making paper venus flytraps including the flies. I don't know why I worried so much. Science is fun, especially when the kids follow their interests.
I'm happy to report that their DS did end up hs'ing, and has, indeed, been invited to many, many parties!
