High School Education options

Hi- my son is 17 and has had a rough time in school because of conflict with teachers that use him as an example or just embarrass him. When he was in the 2nd grade he was failed because they said he was too immature to go on even though he made high grades, enjoyed school, and wasn't a conduct problem. Five other boys were also faailed for the same reason. The parents in town warned me that she didn't like boys. I thought they were just disgruntled parents at the time. He also had a conflict with a teacher that lost he older son due to a football injury. My son played on the same baseball team her youngest son did and they were friends, his father was the coach. Their younger son made a comment in the lunch room that they didn't know what to do with his brothers four wheeler. My son made the comment that he should keep it. When the boy started crying mine told him to get over it and go on. He has heard that statement at home may times. The boys mother that taught there yelled my in front of everyone and escorted him to the office and tried to have him expelled. My son was devasted and cried for days and said he didn't mean to hurt his friends feelings. Regardless, the other teachers in our small town have treated him differently since then, except for a select few and he has come home for several years stating that the teachers were mean and rude to him. In 9th grade he had this boys mother as his English teacher and who would call him to the front of the class to scold him in front of his peers (other Students validated my sons statements) I finally had to have him moved to another clasroom where he did better. He shuts down when it happens and now is quite behind in school. He tests high and is really likeable, he has lots of friends. I am told by many parents and teens how much they like him when they find out I am his mother if they don't already know. I use that fact to open the door to converse with the young people when they come in my store. He has been told he should quit school, get a GED, and join the Armed Services. He knows a GED won't take him far in a lot of areas and quite frankly at this point I think he wouldn't pass the GED without a prep course and I don't want him to use the GED as an escape. The problem is that time might be running out to save the opportunity to keep him to remain in school especially since he thinks there isn't a glimmer of hope. I contacted a home school option called Gateway and the negativity was overwhelming because of his age and the statement that when he turned 18 there was a high probability that he would just quit anyway. I discussed it with him and he got emotionl and said fine. The only thing with that is that he wants his diploma. I know it sounds a little late for him but as far as I am concerned it's never too late. GED's are great for adults that need them. Any suggestions? Does anyone know what the Middle College in Franklin, TN is like and any details: financial requirements, curriculum, etc. We are living on my husbands retirement pay and my 37 yr old daughter and her 2 boys are living with us without a job. She's in college and has a 4.0 and will graduate next spring with a degree in computer repair and programing. My store is still open by the Grace of God but all I can do is depend on Him like many others in these tough economical times. Any suggestions or advice woul be greatly appreciated. My husband just got out of the hospital after a 10 day stay for a routine back surgery that sent him back to the operating room with complications and he now has home IV antibiotics for a month or more for a staph infection he contracted while in the hospital. Sorry for all the info. but I need some clear focused advice or suggestions.
Thanks,
Pat