Gifted Issues Discussion homepage

Unschooling school a few hours in the morning (9-12 then lunch) and doing academics at home in the afternoon before extra curricular is exactly what I wish we could do for DD. Unfortunately, there is no "alternative" schools where we live.

My DD isn't exactly PG or 2e but her intense personality and drive to learn on her own terms make traditional schooling including traditional GT schools rather unappealing. The other major problem I have with selective posh "GT" prep schools is that from what I have seen and heard, social scenes get rather ugly later on.

Yet, I can't imagine DD being happy staying at home. She really is social and wants nothing to do with me these days if she has other other adults or children to hang around. So yeah, I envy those of you who have a Sudbury style school near by.

When we started homeschooling, I helped to found an alternative education center that is a little bit like a free school, except there is the option to go just one or two days per week. My kids have been going there all along, and it has been a tremendous social experience. Academics are done at home. The kids at the center skew heavily towards PG. The interesting thing is that we are not the only center like this. I am discovering that there are many, many of these. I think most of them are listed with AERO, the alternative education resource organization, or something like that.

Mana, similar to you, a very flexible arrangement seems like the best solution for now.

Gabalyn, thanks so much for the AERO referral! I've already found more schools in my area to explore, and your post gives me hope.