Over the past several months Scott and I have been debating about where Aidan should attend kindergarten. At times I have felt like if we make the wrong decision we will scar him for life. I do not think I even put this much time and energy into deciding where to go to college. Through much prayer I am not nearly as anxious about the decision, but I do not think we are any closer to a decision than we were several months ago.
Currently we are considering three options (if you talk to Scott maybe four).
Private
Our first option is a local Christian school. I think it is an excellent school and Aidan would receive a solid education with a Christian world view. Although we think this option is great, we do not know if it is the right decision for our family. We have two additional children that are not that far behind and are unsure about the financial commitment it would take to send all three. If we decide against sending him there now, we will revisit this option as he approaches middle school.
Tutorial
The second option is a tutorial program at a local church. You register as a homeschooling student, but you attend class from 9:00 to 12:00 for four days a weeks. This option is appealing to us for several reasons. First, my preference is for half day kindergarten. I think that a full day is a little long for five year olds. Second, the curriculum is individualized to meet the needs of each student. They set high goals for each child, but they are based on what they are capable of doing. Third, the school focuses on the basics — reading, writing and math. I think that this foundation is critical. We really like this option, but it would require a lot of driving as well as some true homeschooling (that kind of scares me).
Public
Our third option is the local elementary school. Several weeks ago we toured the school and met with the principal. I have to admit that I felt a lot better after the meeting. The school’s test scores were much higher than I expected. The principal also seemed to take great pride in the school and cared about the students and their education. The downside is that it is still a public school (and that comes with some baggage). Although, it is only elementary school. Plus, if we sent him there we would be very involved.
Homeschooling
If Scott had his way we would also be looking at straight homeschooling. I have to say: this option really scares me! I love teaching, but the thought of teaching someone to read is mortifying. Aidan is pretty bright, but if he can not read then he will not be able to learn much. I also do not know how one homeschools with two little ones under foot.
Decisions
With Scott being gone so much over the past three weeks the discussion has been put on hold, but it will resume next week. Hopefully we will reach a decision soon, because I am ready for the saga to be over!
5 Comments
You have some great options before you for schooling. To me one of the considerations would be Aiden’s receptivity to learning in a less formal environment. Steven struggled to introduce basic concepts to Logan at home, and she was dead set on not learning until she got to school. We were a little concerned to see how things would go for her this year. Surprisingly and to Mrs. Wieldrralyer’s credit, Logan’s passion for learning has been unlocked at school and it has carried over to home. She needed the very structured all day environment to jump start her. We will be praying for you as you decide which route to go.
Hey friend.
First, please don’t stress too much about schools. I know you all and the love you have for your kids - whatever school path you choose this fact alone will prove to be of more benefit than any schooling path. Us gen-x parents have so many opportunities and choices before us - this coupled with the fact that we place the burden of our child being “all that they can be” on our shoulders as soon as they’re born can be an unbearable combination. Choose a path that you’re comfortable with - one you can endorse, support and afford.
Currently we have Emma in public school and we don’t regret that decision. She’s been exposed to variety of kids and home situations that have helped her understand the world a bit better. Come middle school we may have a different take on things but at this point Emma’s in a safe place that encourages folks to be kind to one another and places learning in high regard.
This said, we have friends in all other kinds of schooling scenarios and they’re all doing great. Again, for me, my money is on how much you love your kids; having a home that they feel safe in and that values learning.
Get that husband of yours home again and snuggle on the couch with some merlot and talk it out. Pray for peace about the decision and then put that same trust you have in God for all the other areas in your kids life in your decision about schooling.
Peace.
I have been trying to resist the urge to comment about this subject because you know what my opinion would be and it’s not really my business! But I do have some thoughts as you pray and consider your decision, and after talking to your mom yesterday, I have been thinking more and more about sharing them.
Do you want them on here? e-mail? phone call?
Love you all (no matter what you decide :-)!)
@Steven: Aidan has been very receptive to learning at home, so much so that we’re concerned that he’ll not get enough specialized attention in the classroom. He’s already beyond where many kids are at even a few months into kindergarten.
@stelmodad: Haven’t had the chance to sit down with some merlot yet, but we do have a date planned for this Friday night. I’m sure we’re going to talk about it!
@Donna: Comments here are welcome, if not simply for our benefit then for others who might read the thread.
You know that I am very pro homeschooling for a number of reasons. The academics, especially at the elementary level, are really not better or worse, one way or the other. It is the other aspects of education that you have to consider. Specialized attention is definitely one thing - you can teach your children on their own level, not either having to go over their heads or “dumb down”. Aidan is so smart that anything he learns in kindergarten or even the lower elementary grades will be a review for him. Socialization - the buzz word that everyone who does not homeschool is so concerned about - is maybe the most important reason to homeschool. After we finish college, at age 21 or so, and even during college, nowadays - never again are we with our own same-age level peer group. Spending all day with children of the same age is what causes peer pressure, lack of respect for authority, and a growing away from family. Homeschoolers spend their days with children and adults of every age group, whether they are at home with their family or at activities where other families are participating. A Biblical worldview - you would get this in a Christian school as well, but at a very expensive tuition. Flexibility of time - homeschooling becomes a life style, and the academics are done in a manner that works with the family’s life style. Maybe you want to teach some subjects to the kids, Scott - that is possible when it works with your schedule. If Pam wants to take the kids to Biloxi for a week - they are free to do that. Believe me, it takes so much less time to homeschool than you think, particularly in the elementary years. If you spend more than one hour a day doing academics at the kindergarten level, you are doing too much. Think of what they do in school - story time, circle time, music time, recess, rest, get everybody quiet, etc, etc. The kindergartener who is at home will get all of that and more just by living every day life in a family, going to activities of your choice.
I think that the choice you have to make is not about academics at all. It is about what mind set you want for your family and where you want to put your time. You cannot really make a wrong choice here! Aidan is so bright, so intelligent, and has such a wonderful personality, that he will thrive no matter where you put him. Your Christian home, Biblical and godly lifestyle, and your close family life will shine through wherever you put your kids.
If you want a school - type lifestyle, that is the choice, then. The time you have will be spent in school activities, schoolwork, volunteering, participating in PTA, etc. Your lives will revolve around school. That is ok, if that is what you want. If you want a home - based lifestyle where you and Pam are the primary adult influences in your kids’ lives, then that is a choice for homeschooling.
Pam, do not worry about teaching the kids to read! You are the best teacher! Not only are you a teacher, but you know your own children and what works best for them. They will learn everything they need to know. And as for homeschooling with several children, I know so many homeschoolers with families larger than either yours or mine, and they do very well. Isabel will want to “do school” with Aidan and so she will undoubtedly do something while he is doing his work that puts her right there with you all, and she will learn from just being there. You can do academics while Ethan is napping or just plays near you all.
But, as I said, none of your options are wrong - just choices. My opinion is, and I believe it with all of my heart, that if a family decides to homeschool, the benefits and blessings will be evident. But not everyone should, or will, homeschool. There are limitations and problems with homeschooling too. No one way is perfect. But, I do want to close with this - it is far easier to start at home and then put them in school than it is to start at school and pull them out later - unless they really want to come out. By then, they are very school oriented.
Sorry this is so long! You said “comments are welcome”, not epistles, but I just couldn’t shorten what I wanted to say!
Love you all!
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[...] talked to friends, family and people we respected in order to help us in our decision. It was even a topic on our family blog. Today our son started his first day of Kindergarten at the local public [...]