I want a 4th option!

[JulySheMustFly]

When it comes to educating my children there seems to really only be 3 options and I'm not happy with any of them.
1. Public School
2. Private Christian School
3. Home Schooling/ Cyber Charter

As I've mentioned before I've my issues with Public School. The education the ones near us offer is wonderful but there are other issues. Homeschooling/cyber schooling may be an option for two of my 3 children but not the oldest and then there is still the amount of work I would be putting out to get the phys. ed, art, music etc along with social aspects covered on my own. Then there is Private Christian Schools. The ones that have a high education standard have social and theological expectations that I can't support. Goodness by dress code at the school we looked at today I wouldn't even be allowed at my child's basketball games because I don't fit their visitor dress code even if I was modestly dressed. I live in flip flops, have a nose peircing and often dye my hair pitch black.

Why can't there be a 4th option. Everything seems to be at an extreme. I want a Christ centered education where a proper moral response is taught along with things like the holocaust or where all the theist creation theories are discussed for the child to determine which they adhere to or where sexuality (not sex but the fact that we are all sexual beings) is not repressed or represented as a bad thing. Boys and girls should be allowed to give a hug to a friend without being in trouble.

Argh! Am I the only parent with this frustration?!

 

[heart of peace]

No, you are not alone. I think it is unfair to have to pay for quality education if one chooses to not homeschool. I have my own expectations for my son's education and nothing really measures up for me either.

I, too, do not like the idea at all of a Christian school, Catholic is much preferred for me.

 

[ThreeTimesBlessed]

You're not alone. I'm right there with you. OUr public schools are sub-par at best. We would have a hard time affording a Private Christian school - plus I've known some people who attended a Christian school and ended up a little sheltered from things that go on in normal schools. Which in some cases is the idea, but they do need to learn how to deal with and be a light to that world too. Anyway I'm not sure I'm wording what I mean correctly. I can homeschool and have thought about it a lot - but I'm a little lazy. I'm afraid I'll miss something. I love the idea of interactive learning though and homeschool would definitely allow for that. In the end, I think we'll be going with public school - we're looking to move in about a year, and looking for a school system that's good will likely be on the top of our priority list.

~Anita

 

[JulySheMustFly]

Nice to know I'm not alone.

MsDahl - what is it about the Catholic schools that ppeals to you over the private Christian ones. (You know I'm not a fan of those terms it sets Christianity and Catholicism as two separate religions instead of branches of the same faith.)

 

[heart of peace]

You are definitely not alone. My only solace is this, that I know I can fully supplement my son's education if I were to place him in institutional schooling with very enriching experiences after school hours.

As for your question, well, being that I am an Orthodox Christian, my beliefs are VASTLY different from mainstream, modern Christianity, which is the type of Christianity that is taught in private Christian schools. In all honesty, I prefer public school over Christian schools as I find many teachings to be in direct opposition to what I teach doctrine-wise to my child. At least in a public school, there is no worry about my child being taught things that I believe would cloud his spiritual health from what it is I intend for him to learn. Granted, I don't agree with quite a few aspects to Catholicism, it is generally less in opposition with what I believe and Catholic schools in my area are well known for respecting the beliefs of students that are not Catholic.

 

[appleofhiseye]

There's no way we could afford to pay tuition, we have to send our children to public school.

I have no choice, but to pray and try to educate my little ones about our faith myself.

I am not qualified or patient enough to home school, I know they would be better off with a professional teacher than me. so don't say I should be teaching them at home. thanks

We have a great sunday school program at our church which is good at teaching christian values and morals, I can only pray that my children learn from them.

 

[CelticRose]

In Australia it is possible to homeschool & have your child attend some classes/activities: band & sports for example. I know of people who school at home 2 1/2 days per week & have their child in school 2 1/2 days per week. It never hurts to ask. Some schools, some teachers, are more agreeable to compromises than others. We were using the local school initially for band & sport but here if you want high quality in those areas you are better off in a club or taking private lessons & we have moved completely away from the state school system. One other thought, it appears that in the States many homeschool groups have joint classes taught by a mum or dad with an interest or speciality in that area so in effect you end up with small *private schools* with much smaller class sizes. I don't know any homeschoolers who only learn at home. Ask your local homeschooling groups what is offered & how it works because lots of others want that elusive *4th option* & the States appears to offer many alternatives that are unavailable elsewhere. I suspect you have more options than you know about so keep looking.

 

[moonkitty]

Are there any secular private schools in your area? There are several where I live, but I’ve heard that most of them are fairly expensive.

 

[homeofmew]

1. Public School
2. Private Christian School
3. Home Schooling/ Cyber Charter

4. Private School (no religion)

visitor dress code? that dumb lol

 

[Andry]

Just a lone counterpoint.....

If we as parents consider having survived our academic experiences relatively unscathed and remain sane, , then aren't we somewhat overcompensating for our kids' education? IOW, we didn't get this elusive "4th option", nevertheless, we're more or less good citizens.

While we might to be tempted to become our parents by pulling out the "Well, when I was a kid.....things were different, etc etc..." ad nauseaum ad infinitum, I'd bet the farm that our kids will say exactly the same things to their kids about their schooling then also.

Kinda reminds me of believers looking for their perfect church; if you find one, don't go there, cause you'll just ruin it.

Just my 0.02, no harm no foul.

 

[Redstiletto]

We moved to where we did because we knew when we had kids we wanted the best education for them. And the two towns that are around out house scored very highly on the states standardize testing.

 

[dawnsday]

When it comes to educating my children there seems to really only be 3 options and I'm not happy with any of them.
1. Public School
2. Private Christian School
3. Home Schooling/ Cyber Charter

As I've mentioned before I've my issues with Public School. The education the ones near us offer is wonderful but there are other issues. Homeschooling/cyber schooling may be an option for two of my 3 children but not the oldest and then there is still the amount of work I would be putting out to get the phys. ed, art, music etc along with social aspects covered on my own. Then there is Private Christian Schools. The ones that have a high education standard have social and theological expectations that I can't support. Goodness by dress code at the school we looked at today I wouldn't even be allowed at my child's basketball games because I don't fit their visitor dress code even if I was modestly dressed. I live in flip flops, have a nose peircing and often dye my hair pitch black.

Why can't there be a 4th option. Everything seems to be at an extreme. I want a Christ centered education where a proper moral response is taught along with things like the holocaust or where all the theist creation theories are discussed for the child to determine which they adhere to or where sexuality (not sex but the fact that we are all sexual beings) is not repressed or represented as a bad thing. Boys and girls should be allowed to give a hug to a friend without being in trouble.

Argh! Am I the only parent with this frustration?!

private non-religious school...

 

[heart of peace]

Just a lone counterpoint.....

If we as parents consider having survived our academic experiences relatively unscathed and remain sane, , then aren't we somewhat overcompensating for our kids' education? IOW, we didn't get this elusive "4th option", nevertheless, we're more or less good citizens.

Except my purpose and goal is not to raise a good citizen but to raise a man/woman with a heart for God who is on the way to salvation. I realize your point, Andry, and I agree to an extent as is evidenced in my point about being confident that I can supplement by son's education if I am unable to homeschool him. However, I do not trust the current state of public schooling especially because it is too humanistic for me, teaching my child that there is no absolute truth and that there is no need for God.

 

[jgonz]

Well, I am Not a very good "teacher" but we homeschool our kids anyway. I don't have much patience, I don't supplement their hours with the books with exotic field trips, sports activities, and numerous music or art classes. We don't do PE at the Y~ or anywhere for that matter.

Homeschooling can be a Very relaxing experience. It doesn't have to be high powered. I'm sure that most homeschooling moms have at least One point in their careers wondered if they'd "missed" something. But it doesn't have to be high stress. Homeschooling is a Lifestyle, not just an option for education.

Life itself is a great teacher. Allowing your kids to Be kids in this day & age is a great thing... Raising your children with your beliefs, picking curriculum that mirrors your own world view, exposing them to various opportunities (could be a vacation at an odd time of year) are all cool parts of homeschooling.

Art, music, and PE in my house are crayons, listening to music, and playing outside. Field trips are excursions to WalMart, Barnes & Noble, & Sam's...

Homeschooling doesn't have to be over-the-top, jam packed with too much "stuff". I know homeschool families like that and frankly, they aren't having much fun. Making sure the kids get the Basics and raising them to be G-dly people are Far more important goals, IMO.

 

[Sign Of The Fish Burger]

Yeah I can totally relate, except our child isn't even born yet

I have no idea what we are going to do. Thankfully we live in the best school district in the city, so if we can't afford private school we will most likely go this route.

 

[JulySheMustFly]

Are there any secular private schools in your area? There are several where I live, but I’ve heard that most of them are fairly expensive.

Other than a waldorf school that is over an hour away the non-religious private schools are worse of an option IMO than public school. They are for the rather wealthy and more elitist in our area and that does not jive with our family's values. (Not that being wealthy is wrong just the emphasis on money is not what we are shooting for) I'd love to get my children into a waldorf school but not at the cost of them being on the road for 2 hours daily.

Just a lone counterpoint.....

If we as parents consider having survived our academic experiences relatively unscathed and remain sane, , then aren't we somewhat overcompensating for our kids' education? IOW, we didn't get this elusive "4th option", nevertheless, we're more or less good citizens.

While we might to be tempted to become our parents by pulling out the "Well, when I was a kid.....things were different, etc etc..." ad nauseaum ad infinitum, I'd bet the farm that our kids will say exactly the same things to their kids about their schooling then also.

Kinda reminds me of believers looking for their perfect church; if you find one, don't go there, cause you'll just ruin it.

Just my 0.02, no harm no foul.

I understand your pointand agreed no harm no foul.

I do feel that my own public education was rather excellent. However I'm just now figuring out how certain scientific theories and government systems work into a walking faith. believing that the spiritual and the mind should be linked together creates a different outcome than when you teach to just one or the other.

Well, I am Not a very good "teacher" but we homeschool our kids anyway. I don't have much patience, I don't supplement their hours with the books with exotic field trips, sports activities, and numerous music or art classes. We don't do PE at the Y~ or anywhere for that matter.

Homeschooling is a Lifestyle, not just an option for education.

Life itself is a great teacher. Allowing your kids to Be kids in this day & age is a great thing... Raising your children with your beliefs, picking curriculum that mirrors your own world view, exposing them to various opportunities (could be a vacation at an odd time of year) are all cool parts of homeschooling.

Making sure the kids get the Basics and raising them to be G-dly people are Far more important goals, IMO.

Wow. I must be emotional today because this really just made me cry. It sounds so nice and well at least I know that the door is still open for me to work that with my younger two.

 

[RedTulipMom]

When it comes to educating my children there seems to really only be 3 options and I'm not happy with any of them.
1. Public School
2. Private Christian School
3. Home Schooling/ Cyber Charter

As I've mentioned before I've my issues with Public School. The education the ones near us offer is wonderful but there are other issues. Homeschooling/cyber schooling may be an option for two of my 3 children but not the oldest and then there is still the amount of work I would be putting out to get the phys. ed, art, music etc along with social aspects covered on my own. Then there is Private Christian Schools. The ones that have a high education standard have social and theological expectations that I can't support. Goodness by dress code at the school we looked at today I wouldn't even be allowed at my child's basketball games because I don't fit their visitor dress code even if I was modestly dressed. I live in flip flops, have a nose peircing and often dye my hair pitch black.

Why can't there be a 4th option. Everything seems to be at an extreme. I want a Christ centered education where a proper moral response is taught along with things like the holocaust or where all the theist creation theories are discussed for the child to determine which they adhere to or where sexuality (not sex but the fact that we are all sexual beings) is not repressed or represented as a bad thing. Boys and girls should be allowed to give a hug to a friend without being in trouble.

Argh! Am I the only parent with this frustration?!

you might seriously consider a Catholic School...it would fit your criteria better than any of the other 3 i think. (You don't have to be Catholic to send your kids there either). The tuition is comparable to the Christian Schools as well.

 

[BeanMak]

Don't forget Lutheran schools. They are Christian without some of the baggage of fundimentalism that some schools embrace. The standards are high and they are well grounded in the bible.

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

LOL! There is a 4th option--co-op school. Something where your kiddos go 1-3 times a week and then are at home. We've been involved with many different co-ops over the years. I think it's a nice (inexpensive) middle ground.

Every co-op we've been to has included art and physical education (sometimes more structured, sometimes pick up games of things). Two have had music of som sort--and all have provided both me and them social opportunities. I have never had any trouble with my appearance- tattoos and all, even in the most "conservative"-I hate that term- of all of them.

RIght now in our area- there are at least 6 co-ops from which to chose. If we expanded our radius a bit the number would soar.

 

[JulySheMustFly]

LOL! There is a 4th option--co-op school. Something where your kiddos go 1-3 times a week and then are at home. We've been involved with many different co-ops over the years. I think it's a nice (inexpensive) middle ground.

Every co-op we've been to has included art and physical education (sometimes more structured, sometimes picj up games of things). Two have had music of som sort--and all have provided both me and them social opportunities.

Wohoo! That sounds like something to look into. How does that fit in with your own homeschool curriculum?