Here's some advice from someone who has only homeschooled in fantasy.
Remember that for many many years, homeschool was the norm, and no one tried to figure out in advance who would thrive with the system.
Very true and excellent point. We've become a society of 'over-thinkers'.
I'm floored at what a difference I see when I present completely fresh, new material than when I am reviewing. Because he needs little to no review, he almost shuts down when he sees the same info he has seen before. At school, he had to just sit there and wait it out, and this was all day every day. Complete torture! I'm reluctant to do anything different right now because it's working so well. HS was meant to be a temporary solution, but now I worry that even a new school will present the same issues we faced before. Like many gifted children, ds progresses very quickly, and he'd need a school where he could move ahead at his own pace. That's hard to find in a group situation.
I suspect this is what I would see with my ds, as well. The one thing I hear from him repeatedly, is how he hates sitting/listening while the teacher is instructing something he already knows how to do. He just wants to hear it once, give the practical application a try, and move on if he's got it.
With hs I am able to guage when he needs review and when he doesn't and know when I've lost him and when he's engaged. My biggest concern was ds not being with other kids all day, but he hasn't missed it. We just make sure he gets the time with children in other ways. He's an only child, btw. Hope this helps. Wow! Just realized how long this is!
You know, the social aspect of school is the funny part. DH and I have been talking about how there is no more socialization in school really these days. At previous schools, it was single-file and quiet in the halls, silent lunches or eat first, then chat. (I should say that I understand the need for some of the changes that have taken place - the expectations of teachers/educators are ever-changing and I don't profess to know what it's like to walk a mile in those shoes.) There are days now when my ds comes home and says he didn't get to finish his lunch because he was too busy talking
. He's a social creature and the two recesses are spent playing and expending the physical energy surplus instead of chatting. So, I don't see school as the social place it used to be when I was that age. His social time is after school/homework anyway, and he does have an extra-curricular activity, so I'm not as concerned about him missing that at school.
I think, more than anything, I worry that we'll make the wrong decision and it will have an impact on ds. We're researching all the options.
Thanks for your thoughts.
