We tried public school. We tried to make it work, but it just doesn't. We are fortunate to have options. We almost have too many and it was a daunting task to drill down through so many - moving, homeschooling, jobs, working, private school, tutors, and the combinations of all the above rolls into a giant, hacked up nasty hairball that incites panic attacks. It has kept me up many nights trying to figure out what our next steps will be.
We did receive offers at the two private schools we applied to. As time
has passed, they have both traded off for being our favorite. It was a
very tough decision because they both have such strong benefits. School A is a
small inquiry-based gifted school and School B is mixed age and ability with a child-centered approach using a good portion of technology. We are choosing school B because we won't have to move and disrupt everyone's lives. This school is very much like how we already teach our son. It's the closest we can get to homeschooling him. He thrives in that learning environment.
It was never our intent to go to private school, but we feel forced to. I'm not sure why, but I feel guilty for going private. I'm sure that guilt comes from the fact there is a pricetag attached to it. It also comes from the exclusivity of being accepted in. I'm now fulfilling a stereotype. I don't feel guilty for sending B to a preschool that isn't much cheaper. We had to be accepted there too. I guess it's just because there is a "free" public school he is in currently. A really good public school that is highly sought after. Teachers and parents work hard to make the school special. I thought it would be ok, and we'd find a way to make it work. Then I lost hope. I lost hope in the entire public education system because I don't believe switching him to a different public school would change anything.
I realized that teachers matter more than schools. Even if my son gets a supportive teacher this year, it won' t guarantee the same for next year. The homework is ridiculous. Not only is it too much, it's also needless repetition. We are fortunate that his teacher has started to let us determine his homework finally. He is way more into doing homework now because it's challenging. He never wanted easy, review work to take up all his free time. Free time is important because a kid needs to pursue their interests.
I can't bear to listen to another "I don't want to waste all my energy on going (to school) because I already know everything they are doing," or the, "It's not challenging. I don't learn anything." He has really turned a corner since we started homeschooling after school. It's not much, just an hour or two 3 days a week. That teeny-tiny bit has made a massive difference in his happiness and eagerness to learn.
It's done and now we are off to a new chapter.
