visiting private Chr. school soon

[oneddmanybooks]

UPDATE: Well, I can hardly believe how well the visit went! The atmosphere was excellent, the teachers were great, the students we met were friendly and just really nice kids, etc. Dd still thinks homeschool is much better but seems a little more open to private school. I feel that in many ways it would be a great place for dd. I think the school will let us (for this year) drop the last class of the day (gym), so that would make the day about six hours long. Dh seems concerned that maybe it would be too much noise and stimulation for her. I don't think it would be. So we will have to decide in the next two months. I think we should decide soon; I don't want dd wondering all summer what is going to happen.

 

 

 

Dd will be in seventh grade this fall and has always been homeschooled. We will be visiting a local Christian school soon. I am somewhat familiar with it. It seems to have a very good atmosphere (I have been on campus several times). It has very good academics and various orchestras, sports, etc. We know several families that have/had their dc in this school, and they have been very happy with it. Dd is very certain that (any) brick and mortar school is not for her. She really struggles with change. She does not do well with a lot of noise (i.e. lunchtime). She is very bright (has not been tested) and is in many ways very mature for her age. It will be a very challenging decision for us.

 

We have enjoyed homeschooling but have had difficulty finding good friends and any away-from-home classes. Dd is an only child. I am fairly certain that we will not be hsing high school. At the school we are visiting, middle school begins in seventh grade. So all the students will be adjusting to switching classes, etc.

 

Sigh. Double, triple sigh.

 

If you have any advice, questions I should ask, etc., please let me know. I have lots of questions written down to ask.

 

 

 

Edited May 18, 2016 by oneddmanybooks

[Andani]

I was in your shoes in January. We had been praying about the decision. On the day we visited, I took 2 pages of questions with me. We spent an hour and a half talking with the pastor whose church runs the school. About kids, homeschooling, his philosophy about education, we hadn't even looked at the school yet.

 

Our children stayed for the day participating in classes, eating lunch, and joining in for recess. My husband and I spoke with the teachers. Later we met the principal for a private tour after school hours. Like you, we have friends who have a child there, and we know the school has a great reputation.

 

It's good that you've visited there before and know things about the school already. I'd stay as long as possible the day you visit, talk to the employees and volunteers, ask if your daughter could sit in on classes and have a personal tour. Basically, experience as much as possible what her day would be like as a student.

 

Then I would address her particular concerns with whoever is hosting you. For example: this lunch room really echoes. What do you do for students who can't tolerate the noise?

 

Honestly, I could tell right away that it was the right school for our family.

 

I hope you enjoy the day and come home with a peace about your decision, whether yes or no.

[SarahW]

It could be good for her.

 

I transitioned out of homeschooling by first going to a small Christian school in 8th grade for only two classes (math and English). Is there any way she could start attending only part time?

 

In my case, homeschooling hadn't been working out well for a few years before 8th grade, so I really needed the small grade groups and strict rules (you got detention for not doing homework) to get my feet under me.

 

I am also introverted and overwhelmed in long, social situations, but the smallness of the school made it manageable. Plus, only having two classes. But maybe you could schedule a quiet study hall or library period in the middle of the day? Those always helped me decompress a bit.

 

Is this Christian school the only option? If she is bright, maybe you could secure a scholarship for a "mainstream" private school which would be better suited?

[oneddmanybooks]

Thank you Andani and SarahW. I hope I will be able to be at peace with whatever decision we make. Yes, she will be able to have a study hall in the middle of the day, which is great. No, she cannot attend part time, but there is a possibility that we can shorten her day by one or two class periods for this year.

 

I will look again, but I can't think of a mainstream private school option near us that would work.

 

Thanks!

[oneddmanybooks]

Update in first post.