Wednesday, August 25, 2010

What If They Want to Go to Public School?


If one or more of your children, when they get older, want to go to public school will you allow it?

I recently got this question in an email and I'd love to know how you all would answer it. When I get a question like this, I generally like to know more about why the person is asking what they're asking. So, I replied:

Why do you think they will want to go to public school when they are older (hypothetically speaking)?

The reply was a fast one: That's easy. Because they'll be teenagers!

So, what do you say? Would you or wouldn't you allow your child to go to public school? Do you think your child will want to be out-schooled when they are older? Why or why not?


9 comments:

Edward and Gretchen said...

Ed and I have both decided we would rather our children be uneducated than sent to public school. This may be extreme to some but firmly where we stand. And no I don't think my children would ever want to be publicly educated. We frequently talk about all the reasons why we home educate. They understand well and feel sorry for public school children.

Faith said...

I would not allow my child to go to public school, ever, no matter what the circumstance. I'm sure, with so many kids, that one would choose to go given the choice but that choice will never even be given in the first place! I went from a private, Christian school to public high school and it is only by the grace of God that I stayed the course.
Jonah and I have even gone so far as to prepare for the "what-if" of one of us dying. We have put things in place to make sure our children would still be HS'ed. Now, if were both to go on to the Lord at the same time...

Mendi... said...

I guess we have always been very open with our girls in regards to the public school option. At first we were "scared" that if we mentioned it, the whole idea would spark an interest in their hearts and minds yet the Lord reminded us that open communication is the key to trust. Our oldest daughter has never for a minute even considered the possibility as "appealing"...too much drama, unfruitful relationships, pressured temptations, ect... Our younger daughter on the other hand has been intrigued by the curiosity of "what it would be like". It has sparked alot of good conversations between us, allowing Kyle and I to emphasize the reality of public school vs. homeschool. It has also allowed us to share with her that most things that make us "curious" are dangerous! Especially when it deals with our spirituality and relationship with the Lord. These "talks" always seem to reconfirm in her heart why we do what we do and what we do is God's perfect will. I've said all that, to say this: if either of our girls came to us wanting to go to public school in their high school years, we would discuss in-depth the motives of their heart, talk about the reality of the situation, pray for God's direction and proceed accordingly. I guess we feel that the foundation we are establishing/have established the first 14-15 years of their lives should already be firmly planted in Jesus Christ, if not, we've missed the mark. I pray that I never have to cross that bridge but after living such a legalistic Christian life for so many years, I desire more than anything to be open to the unique, profound and individual plan God has for each of our children, whatever that may be. He reminds me that I must NEVER be afraid of the path He has laid out before our family, He only asks me to pray, listen, walk in obedience and TRUST!

Blessings~
Mendi

jmlyons said...

I too, would listen to and trust the Lord on this one. You just never know at what point your child has a call from the Master. I completely understand the opinions above and would not give my boys the choice to go to public school. Today, my older boys choose homeschooling as we did give them a choice to apply to a private school. However, I do know a family that allowed their teenage son to enter public school after much prayer. He really felt called to be in school and be a witness. So, knowing your children, their maturity in Christ and otherwise, is key. In the early years, they listen to Christ through us, but as they mature and hear His voice, they can be strong in Him no matter where they are.
Ginger - I think your first question of 'Why' is the key.
Mendi - I agree with your comment about the foundation that you have established - by the age of 9(or so, I am not that scientific), most foundations and values are established.
Even though I want to keep my kids out of public school today, even they (public schools) need our Godly influence and you never know how God will call you to impact them. I will just leave at this: I would never say never.

Patrick and Emily said...

I think if they are fulfilled at home. Have the love and joy with fellowship with their siblings and parents they would have no need/want too.

MusicGirl23 said...

I'm only 20, but for many years in fact, I have considered the possibility of home-schooling. I was educated in the public school system for grades k-5 for elementary and then one year of middle school for grade 6 at a different school. I then attended a private christian high school for grades 7-12, one with high academic, music and athletic standards although small-at most 600 students from grades 6-12 when I graduated in 2008 (they added grade 6 when I was in grade 9, otherwise I would have been there for grade 6). I LOVED my private school, pretty much everything about it, I cannot say enough good things. Not only did I find myself in a wonderful place to support my christian development, which was somewhat hindered I must admit by the lack of youth at my church and the lack of a youth group, but my academics excelled and I was able to participate in my favourite things-music. The teachers were, and are, amazing, first rate. In fact, when I was hospitalized near the end of grade twelve following a rather feeble suicide attempt (LONG story, but I do carry a long diagnosis sheet including depression, generalized anxiety disorder, OCD and an eating disorder) several staff came and talked with me and prayed with me. I really felt like even though I would shortly graduate, they were helping me through this and reminding me of how much God loved me and how I could push past this and become the person I was supposed to be. Now, although my junior high and high school experience was great, I do have plenty of quams with the experience I had in elementary school and my grade six year. Not only were some of the teachers not that great (which could happen in a private school too...and there was one teacher at my high school that is rather, shall we say, interesting...) but I experienced bullying that was very hard to stop, drugs became an issue in grade six (!!!!) and many other things happened. I would definitely not send my kids to a public school at any point unless I had no other option. I'm not sure whether home-schooling will happen someday, it will depend (well, first on whether I get married and have children-although I DO want children and hope to adopt someday) on what path my music takes me in. I firmly believe that if parents work things well, both can have careers and still have very happy, healthy, well-rounded in all areas children. Right now, I see two main paths that my career may follow-either succeeding in the performance world and some private teaching, or only private teaching. The private teaching only option would definitely allow for homeschooling. The performance world would be trickier, but it might still work depending on what family is around, things like that. In my personal opinion, I think that by junior high to high school, it is important that kids be given the option of attending-if only part time for a couple of courses such as chemistry or biology or choir-a private christian school. Maybe I'm biased because I had such an amazing school...but I do think that at a certain point, leaving the nest a little bit is also a good thing. However, each kid is different. It's really an individual thing that must be looked at very carefully.

MusicGirl23 said...

I'm only 20, but for many years in fact, I have considered the possibility of home-schooling. I was educated in the public school system for grades k-5 for elementary and then one year of middle school for grade 6 at a different school. I then attended a private christian high school for grades 7-12, one with high academic, music and athletic standards although small-at most 600 students from grades 6-12 when I graduated in 2008 (they added grade 6 when I was in grade 9, otherwise I would have been there for grade 6). I LOVED my private school, pretty much everything about it, I cannot say enough good things. Not only did I find myself in a wonderful place to support my christian development, which was somewhat hindered I must admit by the lack of youth at my church and the lack of a youth group, but my academics excelled and I was able to participate in my favourite things-music. The teachers were, and are, amazing, first rate. In fact, when I was hospitalized near the end of grade twelve following a rather feeble suicide attempt (LONG story, but I do carry a long diagnosis sheet including depression, generalized anxiety disorder, OCD and an eating disorder) several staff came and talked with me and prayed with me. I really felt like even though I would shortly graduate, they were helping me through this and reminding me of how much God loved me and how I could push past this and become the person I was supposed to be. Now, although my junior high and high school experience was great, I do have plenty of quams with the experience I had in elementary school and my grade six year. Not only were some of the teachers not that great (which could happen in a private school too...and there was one teacher at my high school that is rather, shall we say, interesting...) but I experienced bullying that was very hard to stop, drugs became an issue in grade six (!!!!) and many other things happened. I would definitely not send my kids to a public school at any point unless I had no other option. I'm not sure whether home-schooling will happen someday, it will depend (well, first on whether I get married and have children-although I DO want children and hope to adopt someday) on what path my music takes me in. I firmly believe that if parents work things well, both can have careers and still have very happy, healthy, well-rounded in all areas children. Right now, I see two main paths that my career may follow-either succeeding in the performance world and some private teaching, or only private teaching. The private teaching only option would definitely allow for homeschooling. The performance world would be trickier, but it might still work depending on what family is around, things like that. In my personal opinion, I think that by junior high to high school, it is important that kids be given the option of attending-if only part time for a couple of courses such as chemistry or biology or choir-a private christian school. Maybe I'm biased because I had such an amazing school...but I do think that at a certain point, leaving the nest a little bit is also a good thing. However, each kid is different. It's really an individual thing that must be looked at very carefully.

MommaofMany said...

Well, my eldest is in 9th grade this year and has no interest in going to public school. None of the other seven children have mentioned it, either. We have no family or friends who plant those seeds of discontent, though.

As school grew closer this year, my eldest did mention that she thought ps would be fun. When asked to clarify, she was thinking of all the elective classes that she imagines are offered. I told her to let me know what interesting things she would like to learn. I explained that whatever they can offer, we can find a source of learning it, too, that will be more effective and tailored specifically to her learning style, which is quite independent. It may take me time to find it, though, so I let her know that she needs to let me know as soon as she thinks of something she'd like to explore.

Among the topics she mentioned were pottery and art. She's quite a talented artist. There's a local homeschool mom who teaches an art class, but it's much too expensive for us to afford. A dear friend recently linked to an online class that is fitting the bill exactly. I even blogged about her first creation.

Pottery has been interesting to track down. A different homeschool mom is an accomplished potter, I discovered by asking around. She is considering a trade. My daughter can learn potting from her, if my daughter teaches her daughter the basics of sewing. Sounds like a good plan to me!

There's nothing that public school offers that can't be better done at home, in my opinion and the things that they are exposed to are far worse than what they will experience in the real world.

Tereza Crump said...

My children are not interested in school at all. They know they would be stuck in that building from 8-3pm 5 days a week. The lack of freedom does not appeal to them. AS for friends, they got plenty. They can play with them after school hours or on the weekends. My children enjoy the time they spend with us and the freedom we have to do all this "fun stuff" while everybody else is stuck in school. :)