Decisions, decisions...tomorrow is the day we sign our life away to the Montessori school and commit to the next 5 months of school for ds. We're actually really excited about that; it's just very expensive.
Then, today I get some more info on another option. Ds6 has been homeschooled since September. We have been supplementing in the afternoons with classes from a small private school. Their website, philosopy, and vision is wonderful, yet at this point they are still new and growing slowly. Ds has been taking theater, music, art, and science classes there 2 afternoons/week. They also include him in field trips, and he helps out with their theater production the full time students are practicing now. Most of the students are older (at least young middle school age), and ds loves being with them. However, I think one of the reasons he likes it is because he's the baby of the group and gets whatever he wants! He's spoiled! LOL Anyway, today I get the following email. What do you think?
Jen,
"I think **** would do really well here full time. We are in the process of putting together a first/second grade class with one specific teacher in the mornings, then participating with the group for some of the afternoon activities, and having outdoor time and/or younger age classes for the other times (ie: when the older students have history or philosophy, etc.) It would be a specific schedule, with a challenging, exciting curriculum in language arts, math, social studies and science. ***** is the teacher I have in mind to lead this class, and she has a degree in Gifted/Exceptional Ed. The curriculum is designed to include projects, individualized goals and objectives, and provide challenging academics, without the competitive atmosphere that frequently accompanies such standards. We already know he thrives in the multi-age environment here, he enjoys interacting with the older students as much as they enjoy having him around. We would maximize those relationships with the new primary class that is established in the form of reading partnerships, project helpers, and team activities. I would definitely like to talk with you more before you commit to the montessori school, because I would like to have him be a bigger part of our community. I am planning to get some other interested parents of 1st/2nd graders together during the next month to interview for possible placement in this new class which will start in January."
It would be a very small class, so lots of one-on-one, and a very unique situation. We are really impressed with the Montessori school as well, but it's a lot of money and a very different concept for us. I really like the fact that the full-time teacher is degreed in gifted education, but this school seems to still be pretty rough around the edges and just on the verge of getting it all together organizationally. In a way, I feel like ds would be a bit of a guinea pig, but it might be a real opportunity for him as well.
I know we need to investigate further, but we are supposed to sign on the dotted line tomorrow at Montessori. Any thoughts just based on this bit of info?
Thanks,
Jen
