So, ds6 begins Montessori school tomorrow. It seems like a great fit for him, and we are feeling very positive. Ds is a little apprehensive as he's gotten used to homeschooling and being with Mom all day, but he'll be fine.
Here's the catch: we're looking at the next 5 months as a trial to see if this school will be a good fit for our son long-term. He's not had a positive school experience yet, barring the school he attends for enrichment (to supplement HS), so we are very cautious. The school just informed us that we will have to make a decision about next year by February!!! We haven't even started yet! It costs a LOT of money to send him there, and we are more than willing if it's the right fit, but we really want more than a month to make a decision about this.
We do have another option. I'm very interested to hear what you all think. Ds6 (first grade) has been attending a small private school two afternoons a week for enrichment classes (science (a hands on class as well as project learning tree), art, music, and dance/theater). He absolutely LOVES going there.
The school teachers and administration are very interested in having ds attend full time. That could mean one of two things: one-on-one instruction from a gifted teacher (she's currently there as a resource for the older students, but she provides one-on-one instruction in certain subjects for them as well) 3 days/week with 2 days of online learning in the mornings followed by 5 day/week afternoon enrichment. Ds would likely be the youngest student, with others being middle school or above (doesn't bother him a bit!)...OR:
If 4 other 1st-3rd grade students enroll at this same small private school, they'll have a full time class with a dedicated teacher. We had a roundtable meeting/discussion with the director and the parents. It sounds like we are all looking for the same thing-nontraditional classroom with a teacher familiar with gifted issues and time for the children to explore their own interests. The school is all for it and happy to provide this type of environment and education. It sounds like all the parents are in as long as we all commit to enrolling. The school uses a variety of curriculae and resources for instruction; they want to keep the class to under 10 students, but it'll probably be around 5. They want us to decide on this option by the beginning of March so that they'll have the proper staffing-they want to hire one more teacher.
So, what do you think? We're going to try to get an extension on next year's enrollment for Montessori, so we don't have to make a decision yet. But, if we do end up having to make a decision soon what would you do? The Montessori school has tons of materials and larger facilities. The other school is very progressive with a very small close knit group of kids. The older students already love ds, and if he had his choice he'd go there instead of Montessori. My main concern has been the absence of other children closer to his age. In a way, I see this as an opportunity that many people don't get. I hate to pass it up, but I'm also a little apprehensive because it is SO non-traditional.
Thanks for your help with this!
