This book presents suggestions for teenagers who are considering quitting schools. It argues that, for the most part, America's formal educational system hinders the acquisition of real-life learning and individual freedoms. Written specifically for adolescents, it offers guidelines for youth who decide to leave school and undertake home schooling. Following the introduction, part 1, "Making the Decision," contains eight chapters that offer reasons for quitting school. The second part, "The First Steps," includes eight chapters that offer suggestions for getting ready to quit school. Part 3 offers 15 chapters that illustrate ways to design a personalized education. The fourth part includes seven chapters that describe specific organizations and resources for doing different kinds of work. The fifth part contains four chapters that describe the lives of some unschooled students. Appendices contain an annotated bibliography, a list of homeschooling organizations, a list of resources, and indexes. (LMI)