FatherHood Friday: Back To School Part 2
So here’s the thing: last week I twisted the theme of Back to School from Dad-Blogs‘ weekly FatherHood Friday to my own ends, promising to have a more traditional Back to School post this week. I planned on blogging about preparing the teenager for school this year, but the high school is going through renovations and school doesn’t actually start for her until the 21st!
Registration is on the 10th, so even though Wal-Mart is already pushing the last of the school supplies out the door, it hasn’t even sunk in for me that it’s back to school time at all!
Another weird thing is that even though she’s a Sophomore, this will be her first year in a real high school.
I probably shouldn’t say ‘real’. How about ‘traditional’. Last year, she went to an ‘expeditionary high school’. This meant that the students didn’t always stay in the classroom. If they were studying geology, they’d climb a mountain and find rocks, they took a trip to Denver to explore different careers, etc.
The teacher to student ratio was somewhere in the ball park of 1 in 12, meaning that no kid really got lost in the pack.
The classes were pretty cool, too. They would study a topic and the teachers blended subjects in to that one topic. For example, they could be studying World War 2. Naturally, there’s history and social studies in there, but you could also discuss the workings of the Bomb and nuclear energy in science. Pretty cool.
The thing was that it actually seemed to not challenge Kat enough. She did great, but it was a small school with really no extra-curricular activities.
So this year she’s going back to a traditional environment, where the teacher to student ratio is probably 1 in 30, classes are completely separate from each other, and Kat can spend all her time after school staying after for play practice or whatever other interest suits her fancy.
I can’t help but wonder if we’re doing the right thing. This was a choice we all made together, and Kat is excited about it.
But is all this change good for her?
Then I think of all the changes that have felt forced upon me in my adult life. My job has been restructured so many times that I’ve lost count. I adapted and evolved, albeit begrudgingly. At least she’s getting a choice, and this is what she chose. I trust her and know she’ll excel in whatever she does, I just like to be the worrying father every once in a while. ;)
Good luck, kid!
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_b.png?x-id=e0441743-0bfc-48e8-b1e8-bcf6caaa473d)
Popularity: 4% [?]
Tags: education, Educators, Fatherhood Friday, High School, Social studies, Teacher, Wal-Mart
i think it’s a good move for your teen to be an environment that challenges her, allows to her to think beyond the norm, and can help pave the way towards college whether no matter the choice of high school.
i didn’t officially enter hs until 10th grade myself, but only due to my jr high being 7-9 hs 10-12. it would not be until after i moved/graduated that the hs would go to 9-12.
anyways, i don’t know if you’d be interested or not, but i have some tips i found in paving the way to college. now if i only had this useful information before i got out of hs.
ciara´s last blog ..Road to College Part 2
Good luck Kat! I actually started going to the HS in 7th grade. The Jr-SR HS’s were combined. Her school from last year sounds awesome but for a kid her age I can totally understand the lack of challenge. Better get those school supplies though, they’re on clearance everywhere around her. It’s time for Halloween candy and costumes
Jason´s last blog ..Summer’s End
I’m probably the biggest advocate for alternative education out there, but the important thing is feeling challenged and being excited. Sounds like you have those two things going for you. She’ll have a great year.
Teacher Tom´s last blog ..This Is How Democracy Works
I am always amazed at all the different types of schools now. Who knew? I think it is a good thing that she is going back to the school where she is happiest. That should translate into a great year.
Otter´s last blog ..Proud of Our Southern Heritage
Time will tell what the right decision is. She’ll do just fine is my bet.
WeaselMomma´s last blog ..Doing Time
The expeditionary school sounds amazing. I really admire your family for looking objectively at the pros and cons of both schools. I agree with Teacher Tom (and you, Howefitz) about what is most important.