What do you do if you move a lot??

[True Blue]

The more I read about public school, the more nauseated I get about sending DS there. The rigidity, the standardized testing, NCLB, I hate it hate it hate it. I mean, school systems are now starting school in July to get more in before standard tests....essentially cheating :. I don't get it. I don't want my son there. I'd love to see him in a Montessori or charter.

So here's the problem: We are a military family.

We move every 2-3 years. With wait lists and such, how is it possible to give that to my kids? How the heck am I to afford private school and college later on? How do I get my kids into schools that require applying long before we may even know where we will be living?

I could homeschool if need be, but I also feel going to school somewhere has its benefits and fun as well. And I'm just not sure I'm organized enough to do it! But that's a whole other thread, LOL!

[siddie]

I know exactly how you feel. We were an army family and usually knew where we were going to at least 6 mos ahead of time so if you can find out ahead of time start researching and applying. Generally, about a year out or so we even could narrow it down to two or three places. If you are not opposed to it, church based private schools are usually a good alternative to public yet not as expensive or exclusive as the other private schools. Charter schools are a good alternative too. IN Honolulu, some of the private schools hold a few positions for military families arriving late.

Is it possible for you to homestead? Some of the services are allowing longer asgmts for family stability.

I feel for you, this is one of the reasons my dh got out, we wanted our ds to grow up in one area and have the same group of friends throughout school since we both moved a lot in childhood.

[UlrikeDG]

Military moves were one of the reasons we chose to homeschool. However, I did want to point out that not every "good" school (public or private) has a waiting list. I don't think that any of the ones in my home town do.

And, there was a free Montessori school less than a mile from my home in Germany, as well as some at least one, if not two other "good" German kindergartens within walking distance, as well. (We did live on base.) The Waldorf Kindergarten was 20 min away by car and I think it did have a 6 month wait, but even that's not horrid.

ETA: A friend of mine moved from Germany to Boston in June, and she was able to enroll her DD in a ritzy private school this fall. She had to start the paperwork before they moved, but there was no wait.

[True Blue]

Thanks. That info does make me feel a bit better!!! I forgot that DH has advanced some now and we will know where we are going probably 8 months or so before we have to go, so that will be helpful. Unfortunately, it's really difficult for him to homestead right now bc of his rank and being OIC; there are just fewer billets in a given area, plus the Coast Guard is so darn small! We'll be here til Kindergarten then move before first grade, most likely. Maybe it will work out.