I feel so blessed that we have this option:

So, after a few years of contemplation, my husband and I decided that we were going to send our children to a private school.  We have debated back and forth with the inconvenience of shuttling them everyday, the very noticeable monthly tuition (approx 500 per kid), the lack of "neighborhood kids" since the attending students kind of come from everywhere, etc.  However, for us, the public school in our area did not do it for us.

It all kind of started when Lauren started school.  We knew she was gifted.  We knew we would have to work hard and keep her challenged.  However, we then found out that there really aren't any programs for gifted children at her level at the schools in our area.  This year we lucked out.  She has a wonderful, dedicated, "seasoned" (not old, just experienced..... can't call her old, I think we are the same age! HAHA), understanding, flexible teacher. This particular teacher spends a lot of her extra time developing curriculum specifically for Lauren.  I feel so blessed to have her this year, however, what happens next year, or the year after... will we always be so lucky?  Doubtful. 

I understand about public education funding--and lack there of.  I understand the whole "no child left behind", but with all that, does that mean that MY child is overlooked?  That there are no developed curriculum catered for her and her level?  That she has to be in 3rd grade before gifted classes are even thought of?  I digress a bit, but I am super frustrated.  I am frustrated that we pay taxes, send our kids to school, and they can't provide the education MY child craves.  If she was "behind", she would get special classes, a special teacher to walk with her, special curriculum... all funded and provided by the school.  But, no, she is gifted.  She is in 1st grade and reads fluently at a 5+ grade level.... she is doing 3rd grade math easily...... so I feel that public schools feel "well, they will succeed no matter what we do, so just let them sit there, let them be bored, let them challenge themselves......"

THEN, there are those "kids" that aren't raised with the moral standards we live by.  The ones we instill and expect our children to adhere to.  We have encountered those.  We have encountered the kid who teases my child because she has a friend who is a boy.... who tells her to touch his "private parts (not the term used) and kiss him" because they are in "love".  We have heard our child come home saying words we have never uttered.

So, private school is our choice.  A school that is spiritually based.  A school that, since funded privately, can MAKE children/parents adhere to certain standards and can pick and choose it attendants.  (We and our children had to be interviewed).  A school who mandates uniforms so that the focus is on education not appearance.  A school who can celebrate Easter and Christmas and say "Praise God" without picketers outside.  AND, since we PAY for it, they kind of have to challenge our child.  I don't feel guilty for demanding it.  :-) 

I feel so blessed we are in the financial position to afford this for our children.  What about those kids parents who can't?