I visited a Waldorf school today - Page 2

[spiritofthings]

Well said Carrie. What I need to hear right now. I have swung to and fro many times as to whether I should put my kid in our local waldorf school versus homeschooling.

[mamasaurus]

Originally Posted by Lillian J

And I saw the same thing in a different kind of private school that had wonderful features such as fabulous plays, field trips, and family celebrations that offered community for the parents.

I absolutely agree. My daughters have attended both Waldorf and Montessori preschools. Both were lovely and beautiful, and full of parents who I would have liked to have been friends with. But both of my girls ended up leaving the preschools because they didn't work out for them. *I* missed the schools more than they did - because I had a fantasy of being there as a parent and connecting with all of these other wonderful parents. Ironic, isn't it???

Originally Posted by Lillian J

I wince when I hear parents put down public school and assume there's something inherently better about private ones - because I went to a number of private schools growing up, and my son went to two private schools, but none of them were more healthy than public ones we've experienced.

I also wince when I hear parents put down public schools. My oldest is thriving in a public school now - the structure and routine are very good for her, and she is receiving SPED services that are helping her immensely.

I am homeschooling my other daughter, BTW.

[EXOLAX]

Originally Posted by sophi4ka

I am curious, what exactly made you disillusioned with the RE school?

Ohhh... lots of things.

In K the primary issue was a mismatch in personality between DD and her primary teacher. This caused a shift in our priorities for DD. Since then DD has had great teachers whom we both adore so that hasn't been an issue. While they have all these glorious bells and whistles, they also have lots of kids they have to deal with, even considering the low student/teacher ratio. They also have their own schedule to maintain. DD herself has high expectations for her learning as well as for the behavior of her peers. Neither of these are meeting her own standards which is why she is requesting to leave after this year is out.

What made me disillusioned with it was doing K at home with YDD. We opted for a cyber school for her mostly to buy us another year on private school tuition. Our intent was that YDD would start at the same school ODD goes to next year for 1st. It has been going so well we honestly feel we can't put her in school now.

I know what YDD is working on so I can reinforce it at any time. I have limited knowledge on what ODD is doing each day and less time with her to be able to do these type of things.

YDD is truly allowed to follow her passions and be taught in a more RE manner. School itself doesn't do this for ODD, she has to initiate it and it's on her own time.

YDD is allowed to learn at her own pace, whatever it is. Even with accommodations on both ends for primary subjects ODD's school isn't doing enough for her. This is the biggest issue for ODD, and thus ours as well.

Schooling at home with YDD has showed us all the benefits. I am convinced if we had not done it this way ODD would be quite happy to stay where she is. She'd still have her issues, but she would accept them. She has seen the greener grass on the other side, and that side just happens to be in our home. None of us are accepting the issues anymore.