Home Schooling or move to another school?

Question

My nine yr old is an intelligent kid, but because of this, is completely ignored at her school while the teachers concentrate on the kids that are behind. (She is just about to finish her second year at this school). Her first report showed she had dropped down and I fear she is still steadily going downhill, and is probably now classed as average, she hates school and is begging me to educate her at home. I have thought about moving her to another school, but from what |I've heard from other parents, all schools are the same, with the brightest children being left to get on with it. What would you do if this were your child?

Answer 1

Home school her. I home schooled my daughter for 6 years. It was the best time of both our lives. I only put her back in school when she started Junior High not for the education but to develop social skills.

Now she is in college and says that one day she wants to home school her own kids when she eventually has them...

Answer 2

If it were my child, I'd homeschool -- then again, I did homeschool my children. One is a sophomore in college,  while the other is attending college through concurrent enrollment, and both are doing well.

Some people are against homeschooling because of the "socialization" question. An education is not supposed to be about socializing students, but is supposed to be about giving them an education; however, the current system has fallen short in this department. Additionally, kids aren't supposed to talk in class anyway :)

As a homeschooler, there are plenty of opportunities to socialize, and your child won't be put into a situation where she only learns to socialize with those in her age group. As an adult, she will be expected to interact with people of all ages rather than just her age group. Homeschool is more like real life than public school.

Another option to consider is private school.

Additionally, you can still keep her in class, but supplement her education with homeschool materials. Your daughter will increasingly become more bored in school as she continues to outpace her peers, so you will have to teach her creative ways to keep herself occupied in class, though she may be in trouble with the teacher if she reads in class (the irony of it).

Public school teaches to the mediocre, so your child will never quite fit in unless she becomes mediocre. In such a system, the children who are ahead or behind often fall through the cracks and don't get the education they deserve.

Answer 3

A tutor, if you can afford it, but if you can't, homeschooling would be a good option. The only thing that comes to mind when you look at the problems of homeschooling is not being around other kids. But I just suggest maybe taking her to the park, or a group activity like those little kid gymnastics classes, or something along those lines. Take this kid, for example. He is homeschooled, and he won the National Spelling Bee.

http://dcist.com/2007/06/06/spelling_bee...

I mean, I'm sure it probably wouldn't be THAT extreme, but, it's pretty much the only downside of homeschooling.

Answer 4

I have homeschooled my children from the start, so I have to admit to being somewhat biased by saying I'd pull her out and homeschool her.

My husband and I, both trained teachers, could see in our daughter's early years that school would not be the best place for her because she would be among the brightest and would likely be ignored. She'd get bored and really wouldn't get the education she deserved.

School is a place to receive an education; it is not the only place. It started out as the place where kids would go for those parents who couldn't teach their kids what they'd like them to know or wouldn't. It's not a necessity for a healthy, happy, well educated life.

Answer 5

check to see if there are programs for children w/honors, or check for schools that are for more advanced children

Answer 6

My opinion:

NEVER home school a child. Keep them in the open (unless crucially needed).

Let them live! A smart kid like yours does not need a teacher's help! She needs encouragement and opportunities.

Answer 7

well shes probiallly in 4th or 5th grade so i would go to home school depending on where u live like if u live in vegas i would! I love home school but i miss my friends and u have to be with your kid 24\7 so its hard and theyll have to be with u and that could drive them nuts!!!

Answer 8

I homeschool for this exact reason and I AGONIZED about it before taking the plunge because of all those stereotypes that are out there.  But trust me, they are exactly that--stereotypes left over from years ago.  Yes, there are a few people out there that fit the stereotype, but the majority in our group are homeschooling for the very reason you describe and are mainstream soccer mom types with mainstream happy, healthy kids. Homeschooling is a very changing movement these days.   We have tons of activities, classes and social outlets for the kids. If I did put my child back in school I would have to think twice about it now because of all the opportunities she would miss!

  If you do homeschool, remember to not copy the school model.  Homeschooling is a completely different thing and many people have a hard time discovering that.  You can get done in a few hours and don't need to overkill information because you are only teaching one.  It is a very efficient way to educate. You can eliminate busywork, individualize learning and play on your child's interests.   If you have a child who is on board with the idea, it can be a really exciting time for both of you.  Have fun!----

Answer 9

Honestly, this *is* why I homeschool my 10yo - because I know he'll be the one left to fend for himself, simply because he's bright.  The gifted program in our district isn't really a gifted program, it simply allows the kids to get a bit more creative with the coursework.  It doesn't move any faster, or even go that much more in-depth, it just makes kids spend hours putting together elaborate presentations (that the parents have to prep all the materials for).  You know, things like being required to dress like Christopher Columbus or Queen Isabella - in full Renaissance costume - to give a five-minute speech.

It sounds like she's just plain bored - I'd really recommend homeschooling her, unless there's a school specifically for gifted kids near you.  It's done wonders for my son (who was in a gifted private school before we moved), and according to him, he wouldn't trade it for the world.

Agos - do you realize that your answer is an oxymoron?  Don't let the world be your child's classroom, keep them in the open, locked up in a room all day with a teacher they "don't need".

Homeschooling doesn't mean that the child never leaves the house.  Really, I promise.  It means that the child and their parents make the decisions about what the child will learn, when, and from whom.  Homeschooling can take place anywhere, and does.