Homeschool Blather, Ignore Me

[reallyginnyf]

I'm throwing this out on LiveJournal because Tumblr is my fun place where no one really cares about personal issues above the level of fandom feels and because Facebook is my public, small-town persona.  Not very excited talking about personal issues where my dentist and Z's pediatrician can have a read, you know?  This is very, very long and I

Comments

[reallyginnyf]

And of course, Z kind of cut through all the angst and told me to send in his application for Borgia High School as a non-practicing Catholic and see what happens. He told me that if we're willing to pay the higher tuition they would be happy to have him as a student there and he's probably right.

[grigorisgirl]

Have a hug and I'll take a cookie

[reallyginnyf]

Bless you for ignoring my "please ignore" statement. I can't believe you read through that wall of words, but thank you and I would give you so many cookies if I could

[reallyginnyf]

Honestly, the U.S. educational system is such a mess. Homeschooling is at an all-time high and yet there is still a bias against homeschooled students when it comes to higher education. Every state has different homeschool laws so in some states you have to submit a portfolio of work and have your curriculum approved by an overseer and in another state you could chain your kid to a pole 24/7 and call it homeschooling and you wouldn't be breaking any statutes.

And you're right, I always forget that homeschooling will be an option for him. If he tries out Borgia high school and it doesn't work out, then he can homeschool through an online academy. Thanks for your kind words. I've done my best. He's learned all the basics and now if he's interested in a subject, he has the tools he needs to research and find good sources for his study. I have the happy combination of a hard-working, curious kid who is intrinsically-motivated. He's easy to homeschool.

[reallyginnyf]

Ah, thank you! Fingers crossed.

[capalxii]

hope all works out. can't speak for the school situation but i can say I went to college with some folks who were home schooled through high school and they fit in just fine with everyone else, in case that's a worry.

[reallyginnyf]

Thanks for reading all of that! I do worry about how he'll handle college, both academically and socially, so it's good to know homeschoolers don't necessarily stand out in a bad way.

[kinwad]

I can't imagine your dilemma, Ginny. It's almost a "six of one, half a dozen of the other" scenario, trying to weigh education vs socialization. I hope it works out for all of you. *hugs*

[reallyginnyf]

Ah, thanks, sweetheart. I know it will all work out but it doesn't stop me worrying over it. At the same time, I know we made the right decision to homeschool. I love Z, he is an all-around terrific human being, but I also know he has characteristics that would make him an easy target for bullying. But instead of letting his peers define his sense of self-worth, he seems to genuinely like the person he's turning out to be. So I would tend to favor education over socialization, because not all socialization is positive. On the other hand, if he wants to give traditional school a shot, we're not going to stand in his way or make him think he's not capable. Nothing wrong with trying it, you know? Thanks for reading all those words. How have you been, it's been forever!!

[kinwad]

"if he wants to give traditional school a shot, we're not going to stand in his way or make him think he's not capable. Nothing wrong with trying it, you know?" I definitely agree.

I'm done fine, hon. Thx for asking! *hugs*

[reallyginnyf]

Glad to hear you've been doing well! <3 And yeah, I mean I have my doubts about how he's going to handle high school but he won't know unless he gives it a shot and home will always be a soft spot to land.

[captivebird]

I sympathise with your dilemma. We relocated over a county border in order to get our two out of a low-aspirational school system with a bullying culture, and it was the best thing we ever did for them. Definitely don't enrol anywhere that you distrust.

I think Zack has the sensible solution - apply to Borgia High on the non-Catholic fee scale, and if he gets in (it may depend on number of applicants in a given year as much as anything else) give it a go. Otherwise continue to do the great job yourselves. Zack sounds a highly articulate, well-rounded and considerate young man, more mature than his peers in many ways. I wouldn't worry too much about the social elements that Zack misses by being home schooled. It comes down to personality - my daughter loved it, and my son shunned it including his own prom. It takes all sorts in this world. One thing is for sure though - we never stop worrying about our kids! :-)

[reallyginnyf]

That is so true. I thought I worried during his toddler years but making sure Z didn't chew on electrical cords or get his head caught in the banister is nothing compared to releasing him into the big scary world. And you're right, Zack is an introvert and I don't think school will change that. He's not much for big group activities and I suspect he never will be.

I've been in touch with the administrator at Borgia and she seems super-exicted to have a homeschooled student as a prospective and has already accepted his standardized PASS test results as part of his preliminary application. He's also been invited to shadow a student for a day so Z's acceptance to the school may not be as grim a prospect as I feared.

We've also discussed moving back to Russ's hometown in Illinois, to be closer to his elderly mother and to take advantage of their excellent school district, but it's so impractical considering Russ would then have a 60-mile commute to work each way.

The things we do for our kids. Good thing they're cute.

[captivebird]

Fingers crossed for Borgia then. I hope Zack enjoys his introductory day. :-)