Lauren,
I need to find out more information about the new school and the plan for this new class. Right now, the older students who attend full-time do a virtual online public school program in the mornings and further enrichment in the afternoons. The students there all seem to be advanced. As of now, there are only 10 full-time and 5 part-time students (or, it might be the other way around...anyway, there are 15 total students).
If we wanted to stall, we could tell the Montessori school that we've decided to wait to make a decision b/c we're trying to decide whether to start ds in Jan or wait until August. Or, I could get sick overnight! LOL It took me a while to finally make the decision to go for it with the Montessori school. They're going to think I'm a nut if I stall. I'm not the best decision maker in the world; I either make impulsive decisions and am usually fine with those decisions, or I deliberate over every little thing like now! It's usually my decisions that affect ds that I struggle with.
I've been reluctant to go full time with the current school because of the evident disorganization. In fact, they are even in a temporary location right now while their small school undergoes some construction. You have to remember, I have a very traditional educational background, and all these options seem so "out-there" to me. I know ds needs non-traditional, but it's hard to wrap my brain around the concept sometimes. At least Montessori has been around for many, many years, and this particular school has been around for 15 years and comes highly recommended. I feel more secure with the Montessori option, but I know it doesn't always work for gifted children. Ds would love the relative non-structure of the current school, but what if he doesn't learn anything?! My father told me when I was about 8 years old that knowledge is a curse. Now I get it! Ignorance really is bliss, isn't it?
Rambling again...thanks! I'll let ya know what dh and I decide. I've tried talking to ds about it, but like many big decisions, he freaks out and says, "This sounds like an adult decision to me." I guess he's right.
