Part-time Homeschooling?

[brokenheart]

I'm wondering if anyone knows if this is possible? My 7 year old is currently in a Montessori school. It is a good school, but there are definitely some issues. For one, I feel like the day is just too long. 7 hours and 15 minutes seems excessive to me. I feel like there is a lot of fluff/filler and the day could be shortened by several hours. My child often seems overwhelmed at the end of the school day as well.

Also, they seem to have a lot of junk food. SO many pizza days (with chocolate milk and chocolate cake...it is one of their fundraising things), lots of birthday cupcakes and snacks that consist of things like saltines and goldfish crackers. Not a big deal, but I feel like my child is gluten-sensitive (stomach aches, still wets the bed, always complains of being hot, etc). I can't imagine how I could do a gluten-free trial with her in school without totally excluding her from everything. The kids all share junk-food snacks as well.

I'm very laid back regarding school. For example, I red-shirted her because I didn't see the need to hurry (she's a late December baby), and I have no problem pulling her out of school for a trip, etc.

She doesn't dislike school. For the most part she could take it or leave it. But, I still feel like an ideal situation would be part-time school. Somewhere where she can be with other kids, and have a "school" and get the learning done faster. Does anyone know if such an option even exists? I'm in Ontario but i'd almost be willing to relocate for this.

[phathui5]

Did you want to keep her in the school she's attending and talk to them about her going part-time or are you looking for another school?

Have you checked out the Allergies forum here on MDC about the gluten issues?

[ChristaN]

We partially homeschooled for part of 1st grade with dd12. I sent her in for "specials:" art, PE, computers, etc. and did the rest at home. The schools here get partial funding if the kids come at least part of the time. We also have homeschool supplement programs that meet a few days/week. The local secular one run through the public schools is called Options.

Since we're not in Canada, I have no idea as to whether you'd have similar options there. I'd definitely ask your local district or check with other local homeschool organizations to see if you can find anything, though. Good luck!

[sewchris2642]

I don't know about Canada but Dylan is in charter school where he is at home 2 days and in a classroom 3 days. This is for 7th grade. In K-6th, the students are home 3 days and in the classroom 2 days. And there is a 5-day home school option with optional elective classes at the campus.

[jeteaa]

I was surprised to learn the other day that my dc could pt hs w/ our local ps elementary. dc can attend just the electives or do some subjects at school and the others at home. dd1 starts in 1st grade on Tuesday... given that they seem to do all subjects every day, we will probably have a schedule where she either goes to school later in the am or is picked up early in the pm. I would prefer a program where she is at school for 3 full days, then home for 2.... but it is ps.. not a hs program after all.

[emily31]

I have been trying desperately to find something part-time my dd. We toured a nearby montessori school that was willing to work with us to figure out something part-time, but in the end dd decided to try a PS where her friends are attending. We discussed half days or a few longs days, but never made it past general discussion.

There is also a nearby Christian school that has a part time HS program that had enrichment classes once a week (Wednesdays 8-2 included art, PE, Spanish, Science, Chapel, Lunch and recess). It was where I really wanted her to go, but dh didn't like it. We live in Dallas, but most of the part-time homeschool programs were in the suburbs.


I am again looking for something part time since we are not happy with the school situation. I would just call some local private schools and see what you can work out. It they are in dire need of students they might create something for you.