I thought you guys would enjoy these pics from Sacha's "graduation" day from CTY yesterday: https://www.facebook.com/monique.b.labarre/posts/10154918074018261

I thought of this thread yesterday when Sacha (age 8) mused about attending Cal Tech over MIT because the weather is better in So Cal. I have no idea how he even knows about either of these schools, TBH.

We don't school year-round because my kids are in full-day summer camp from Memorial Day until Labor Day. The camps this year ranged from surfing to skateboarding to science to music, so there is a lot of variety. Sacha does regress academically over the summer, but it's usually not a big deal. If he wasn't in camp all day, then we would likely have to do something academic, as he would just end up playing video games all day (and that would definitely be bad for his attitude).

Sacha will be in the class this year. The author is a teacher at our charter school. He will be a 3rd grader next year by age, but she's letting him in because he's already completed SSL 1 and 2 and GSWL. Just send her a message. She is very responsive.

Yes. You read that correctly. We are not rich, to be sure. We spend all our money on the kids' education/activities, at the expense of our own savings/retirement/leisure/vacation. Probably not the best strategy, I realize. I will likely hit up the grandparents to see if they can help some. But, yeah. Like I said, I really wish AoPS had some corporate/alumni sponsorship (a la CTY, where my son had a full scholarship this summer) to fund an endowment for financial aid. I think that many companies and grateful alumni would contribute to assist budding mathematicians of lesser economic means.

At 8.5, our OEs and anxieties seem to be calming down these days (in tandem with him seeming less gifted overall vs. what he was like a few years ago). But, I'm petrified that this is likely just the calm before the puberty storm. I really want to eavesdrop on Quark's secret group. Eta: Don't mind me if I spike my punch.

Unfortunately, we don't get enough funds for it to be much of a help. We spend a lot of funds on his enrichment classes and consumable books. You don't want to know how much I spent on online classes last year. And now, with me in school as well, it's just a lot.

Just math. We can't afford two of their classes. I really wish they had some financial aid a la CTY. I am sure businesses and alumni would give them money. (Hint to RR, if you are reading this!)

You guys!!! Sacha got into AoPS Academy!!!! I'm so excited for him. I don't care if I have to flip burgers on weekends, he is going!! So happy to have that kind of mentoring for him. :)

What? That is ridiculous.

Zero. My kids are nudists.

Just to update on my end, I have thus far volunteered 50 hours in the ER at UCSD and finished the spring semester with a 4.0 (11 units of Stats, Chem, and Communications). I have 12 units of physiology, anatomy, and developmental psych to knock out this summer while the kids are in camp (and big test physio this afternoon -- GULP). Step by step...

I'm going back to school to pursue a second doctorate in nursing. The JD is anything but family friendly, and not portable if you like to move/travel. I wouldn't wish a second bar exam on my worst enemy.

One of our big picture goals was for Sacha to continue improving his coding skills. Last night, he made this video of his Lego Mindstorm Skittle Sorter. I thought you all would enjoy: https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=-sNMEYo70ko

I went to an LAC of 1000 people, and we never had an issue getting classes. But, I went to a school with a very large endowment. I wouldn't trade in my LAC experience for anything. It was fabulous.

Both of my boys are total nudists.

A personal rant? Nice. That conversation was completely appropriate and respectful, and I am deeply disappointed that we're supposed to just ignore the blatant appropriation of our sacred texts.

I guess discussion about religious appropriation in homeschooling materials is not an approved topic. Duly noted, and disappointed.

Thank you for reposting, Rosie. Yael and Eliana are wonderful teachers.

Thank you, Ethel. I appreciate you clarifying.

Seriously, you just deleted that thread with no discussion? Really? Wow.

I organized MK initially for the charter, so I will talk to them about moems.

I can help you run it, if you'd like. I know S would enjoy doing it with M.

Bwahaha. Are you for real? Please tell me this is sarcasm.