I took my son out of his public school that he had attended for the past 6 years. I felt that he was trying to impress his new friends who didn't take school seriously and some seemed to have a different attitude towards teachers or those in authority. He did well and had a very good repoir with his teachers. I had spoken with his teacher who agreed with me that he would be more successful in a smaller environment. Sometimes it is hard for me to accept what I have. I just need more. Sonny boy didn't want any parts of it but I talked him into trying the new school. His dad agreed with him. But of course I had to have my way. My sonny boy was going to get the best that I could give him. Besides I had a friend whose son attended the same school and she spoke highly of it.
Boy was I wrong. It took me $4500 to find that out but it was well spent. I will say that I am glad I did it because now I realize that the grass isn't always greener on the other side and you don't always get what you pay for. The trouble began the 2nd day of school. He took and entrance math test that was at the front of the book and he bombed. The principal of this great Catholic school said: Oh he needs remedial math and he is sooooo far behind."
Needless to say I was thrown for a loop. At the public school they were promoting him into the honors math course. So I just thought to myself that we would see where this goes. Needless to say he survived the year with merit/honor roll grades throughout. But, I had to literally beg the English teacher to help him out where he was having trouble. There were children that attended who had sexual behavior problems that was constantly swept under the rung. It was not a diverse environment and the teachers had preconceived notions about African American children. And the cliches were throughout. The school was at the top in ranking but that was because it concentrated more on the testing requirements then the overall student. There was no in school library for the middle and upper grades. Basketball was the only sport that was played at the school. The other sports were performed at alternative locations. When the parents volunteered at the school, the 1st question if they didn't know you was: "So do you work?" My answer was yes, I am working right now volunteering. Needless to say, that stopped them in their tracks.
I couldn't wait for this school year to end for me to go running back to the former school to proudly re-enroll him. There I know that he is getting quality education. The teachers go the extra mile. They have a library, They have inside sports and treat the whole child. The school may not be ranked highly but I know that my child will get the education he needs and it won't cost me any more then the school taxes that I am paying. I can use the savings to enhance his outside interests.
Yea, I made a mistake but you know what, I am not too proud to fix it. We are going back home. Yea, Yea, and Yea again.
