It’s School Deposit Time

Every year it seems to be earlier and earlier. The school starts prepping the parents. Open House plans are in full effect to ‘wow’ us into sending in that precious deposit to mark our spot for next year.

Holy crap, we are spending HOW MUCH in private school? It always necessitates the freak out conversation.

“Should we go tour the local public school?” 
“Should we  look at other options? Cheaper ones?”
“Why are we doing this again?”

Honestly, I can’t argue. Science lab. Music. Art classes. Spanish lessons start in 1st grade. Computer lab. New library. Of course they also teach the curriculum of the next grade to keep you hooked. Why would you want to go back to public school to repeat the same damn lessons?

I always feel a little guilty when we talk about schools. I did fucking awesome when I went to a public school. I didn’t learn a thing. Seriously. I also slowwwllllly got out of honors classes. I ditched English honors after Sophomore year, and History after Junior year.

I feel like the thing I learned best was to navigate between people in crowded areas. You should see me walk through an airport. I rock.

But I wouldn’t be where I am without that education. I think outside factors helped. Like the fact that my Dad had my on computers since I was super young. It makes me worry that we hardly let Sam on a computer and she is 6 already. I think she has plenty of time though.

For my kids, I want the best. I feel like I didn’t learn anything in public school and they maybe have a better chance. I don’t argue that you CAN learn something in public school, I just don’t think I did. I got fine grades.  I also had crazy common sense. I feel like some people are book smart, some people are street smart. I’ve got adequate street smarts.

I want my kids to have both.

So I’m happy we are paying the money to get them an amazing education. It shocks the heck out of me to see my Kindergartner read 2nd grade level books. She’s getting better every day. She also actually remembers some of what she reads. Bonus!

I still feel a little guilty about it though. We are so so lucky to have saved money for the education funds of our children. When I say that I am sending my kids to private school to get the best education possible for them, I do believe that you can do the same with public. I’m just scared. And lucky. Amazingly lucky.

It also pisses me off that they pay teachers LESS money in private schools. ALL the teachers working to educate our children deserve more money!

The things I hear about charter schools and home-schooling blows my mind. I am loving these new charter schools popping up. I also love reading about how people home school their children with beautiful love and care. I could never teach my kid. I am not a teacher and I admire those who can impart their knowledge in a way that resonates with them.

I’m better at other things though. And I know that.

I also worry about private schools and things they can do to my children. I really loved this article by the Tiger Cub (if you haven’t read the Tiger Mom book, you should, it’s amazing). I wish I could be a Tiger Mom but I never could.

So. Deposits. We will continue with the path we are on for the next few years, I imagine. I will feel guilty about it. Wonder if we are doing the right thing. Thank the hard work that made is possible to pay for it… for now anyway.

I can tell you that I know several parents who kick ass to make it possible to send their children to private school and I admire them more than I can say. To work multiple jobs and sacrifice so much to make it possible to get an amazing education is so selfless.

We are all doing our part to raise amazing kids. I think we are all doing a kick-ass job.

So I will leave you with the view I have right now.

The the drink I’m almost done with. Damn. I need another one 🙂