Prisma

We had very similar concerns, and did some investigating and found Prisma, which serves kids from 4th-12th grade. We've tried multiple schools, and Prisma has by far been the best fit for our bright, sensitive middle schooler. It's not quite homeschool, not quite online school; the kids are placed into cohorts with a mentor coach, who is a credentialed teacher. They have about 1.5 hours of cohort meetings M-Th, as well as daily math. The rest of the time is asynchronous and spent exploring a 6 week-long learning cycle. Kids don't get grades, but earn badges and get detailed feedback from their mentor coach. The best thing is each cycle, the kid gets to choose how they want to engage with the cycle theme, and produce something that they then present to their cohort and family. It's been amazing for our student, and we fully intend for them to continue with Prisma through high school. I've had reservations about "social emotional development" language, but the kids I've seen at Prisma really do learn how to support and advocate for themselves and each other, and they're given the freedom to pursue their curiosity. The school is accredited and also meets all Common Core, NGSS, etc. standards, and I've been impressed by how often the faculty solicits and incorporates feedback. They also make all their teaching materials available to parents. We're no longer in the Bay Area, but I think there are at least a few Prisma families in the East Bay, and a greater number between Oakland/SF/San Jose. There are in-person get-togethers, and also travel opportunities for Prisma kids/families in the US and abroad.