Beginning the trek down the homeschool path can be scary. I know lots of people who homeschool their kids for every different reason. Private school tuition costs too much; they want to be in control of what their kids learn; they don't think anyone else can properly teach their kids; they just couldn't imagine being away from their kids all day. Okay, that last one I've only heard one person say, and yes, that person was me. Really, if you knew EJ, you'd say that too. :-)
I've been asked by several people for my opinion/help in selecting a cover school. First, let me say, in Alabama, if you homeschool and are not a state licensed teacher, you must have a cover school. The reason is truancy. When you take your kid out of public or private school, that school sends a letter to the Superintendent saying "this kid isn't in our school anymore." If he doesn't get a letter from another school saying "this kid is in our school now," he will come knocking on your door, possibly with DHS (or whatever the acronym is in Alabama for the child welfare social worker department). After you enroll in a cover school, they will send you a letter they have signed. You sign it and send it to the Superintendent. Scary embarrassment averted.
Second, cover schools cost money. I know it stinks. You homeschool so you don't have to pay tuition, but then you turn around and buy an entire curriculum and shell out extra for a cover school.