Just headlining it so you can ignore this post as you like. I've explained my difficulties with the public school system back in 2008, but I figured since Lucas has now completed one year in private school, I've earned the right to another post. So, what have I learnt over this past year?
Broad spectrum
Yes, rather self-evident, but there is a broad spectrum of how parents feel about education and parents may make choices that appear conflicting.
For example, I have had one mother tell me that they believe in a public school education for their children. But then in the other breath, tells me that her son is doing Kumon Math after school, and extra Math over the holidays and extra reading to get his reading up 2-grade levels (ahead of where he's supposed to be).
We, on the other hand, believe that except for homework and supplemental projects that Lucas might be interested in, school is for school and home is for play. I had extra lessons when I was in primary (elementary) school and again in secondary (high) school. I didn't like that so much.
How much is enough?
Whilst we are very interested in Lucas getting the best education we can enable, how much are we prepared to push it? And the answer is "All the way, provided it fits within a school day", hence private-school, but not after-school sessions. Could he benefit from the right program? Probably, but I wouldn't want to sign him up for that.
Parents have asked me what do I do with Lucas after school, do I give him drills? Not at all, if I wanted to give him something, the last thing would be drills. I am not so interested in him learning to memorize or even to practice. I am more interested in him learning to reason, deduce, think, experiment, apply. As we all have experienced, kids are very adept at remembering things they are interested in.
All of this is easy for me to say because we have been fortunate. Lucas doesn't need additional help to keep up. Perhaps if he did, I would be singing a different song about after-school work, but even parents whose kids are doing well, feel the need for them to do/be better in school. In this regard, I have grown. I am ok with where we are now - I don't need to keep on pushing.
Private school score
Our idea was that we wanted Lucas to have expectations of himself that matched his abilities. I feel that has been happening over the past year. He is actually more willing to correct spelling mistakes. It is only a matter of time before he starts reviewing his work - we have hope.
His teacher has been fantastic in being patient and helping him think through problems and giving him a nudge when he needs a "behavioural adjustment".
The school is very receptive to parental support (i.e. poking our noses into the business of their curriculum).
The spiritual dimension has required me to be more involved (to explain/clarify/contradict what he learns in school), but for sure, he is more aware of charity and community.
We have another year ahead of us to better evaluate the private school system, but so far so good.
Broad spectrum
Yes, rather self-evident, but there is a broad spectrum of how parents feel about education and parents may make choices that appear conflicting.
For example, I have had one mother tell me that they believe in a public school education for their children. But then in the other breath, tells me that her son is doing Kumon Math after school, and extra Math over the holidays and extra reading to get his reading up 2-grade levels (ahead of where he's supposed to be).
We, on the other hand, believe that except for homework and supplemental projects that Lucas might be interested in, school is for school and home is for play. I had extra lessons when I was in primary (elementary) school and again in secondary (high) school. I didn't like that so much.
How much is enough?
Whilst we are very interested in Lucas getting the best education we can enable, how much are we prepared to push it? And the answer is "All the way, provided it fits within a school day", hence private-school, but not after-school sessions. Could he benefit from the right program? Probably, but I wouldn't want to sign him up for that.
Parents have asked me what do I do with Lucas after school, do I give him drills? Not at all, if I wanted to give him something, the last thing would be drills. I am not so interested in him learning to memorize or even to practice. I am more interested in him learning to reason, deduce, think, experiment, apply. As we all have experienced, kids are very adept at remembering things they are interested in.
All of this is easy for me to say because we have been fortunate. Lucas doesn't need additional help to keep up. Perhaps if he did, I would be singing a different song about after-school work, but even parents whose kids are doing well, feel the need for them to do/be better in school. In this regard, I have grown. I am ok with where we are now - I don't need to keep on pushing.
Private school score
Our idea was that we wanted Lucas to have expectations of himself that matched his abilities. I feel that has been happening over the past year. He is actually more willing to correct spelling mistakes. It is only a matter of time before he starts reviewing his work - we have hope.
His teacher has been fantastic in being patient and helping him think through problems and giving him a nudge when he needs a "behavioural adjustment".
The school is very receptive to parental support (i.e. poking our noses into the business of their curriculum).
The spiritual dimension has required me to be more involved (to explain/clarify/contradict what he learns in school), but for sure, he is more aware of charity and community.
We have another year ahead of us to better evaluate the private school system, but so far so good.
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