I just got thrown a major loop. My sister is enrolling all of her kids into school part time. I have that option here too. I don't think I would do it full time. I just read a post of a public school teacher that angered me more than I want to express here.
My sister brought up an important point. She has older boys and more boys and girls around my children's ages, and she found it was much easier to put them into school at the beginning middle school mark than later, especially if orchestra is an option. She found one of her sons could not participate in orchestra because he wasn't enrolled in 6th grade.
My boys would be entering middle school this year. The orchestra, etc. options are appealing to me. I do not want to hand over history, language, etc., and I'll even do math. But not have to pay tuition for orchestra and choir? I don't really like knowing that what we do this year basically charts our course for the next 7 years!
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It's such a tough decision. My kids go to public school as you know. This year, there is a huge part of me that wants to home school because my DH only has to work about 50 days this year, and about half of them are in warm, sunny places like Vegas. I would love to be able to just tag along and enjoy a free vacation a few times in the winter, and bring the school work on the road with us.
On the other hand, we are in an area with a really good, safe school. The teachers and principal really care a lot about the kids, and the education problems are systemic state issues, not school issues so while present they are diluted somewhat. Our high school has some programs that are bar none the best I've seen-kids are graduating HS with an associates degree, or already certified in a profession (My friend's daughter is now a certified medical assistant). There are also state scholarships offered for kids who complete these programs, making college very affordable.
I really like that while the school covers the basics, I have the time to fill in the gaps as well as the time to really immerse my kids in art, music, culture, history & science through family activities and projects. Sister Beck talked about not trying to choose it all... I think I would run out of steam if I were trying to put together curriculum, put in the instruction hours they need, and supplement with all the (essential to me) "extras" we already do.
I hate that there's no easy or obvious choice. I know sunshine will still be calling my name in January, but then again who is to say they have to have perfect attendance? LOL.
Good luck deciding what to do.
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