Yesterday Steve and I went for an 'interview' at a new schooling option we're considering for Brennan next year. It's called, The Daniel Academy. www.thedanielacademy.com
It's a private school/homeschool combination. The kids go to school M, W, F, and a partial day on T, and then they're homeschooled T afternoon and all day Th. They do all the 'major' stuff when they're at school and then parents supervise the homework and follow-up. Something like that! :) We actually heard about this school right before moving here; however, by the time we tried to register our boys, they were full, as they're a newer school with limited building space. So, we sent our kids to public school and it's been a ok year.
Actually, for Nate he's done great. Has a great teacher and the school is really great academically and just overall it's been a great environment for him and he's really 'blossomed' in so many ways.
However, Brennan's struggled this year. Academically he's done great; but socially he's longed for other christian kids with the same morals/values to hang with. He's struggled with the environment at the middle school and how 'worldly' it is. There's so much cussing and it's a lot more 'rough' than Iowa. He's begged us to go somewhere else -- even homeschool him. Coming from someone who NEVER wanted to be homeschooled, it's brought us to a point of really praying about what to do. So, we've looked into our options, but many of his friends from church go to The Daniel Academy and so we researched it more and went to an informational meeting and we really excited about it.
Then yesterday we met with the principal and did an informal 'interview'. She was so kind and genuinely interested in getting to know us rather than 'just' an interview, which we appreciated.
So, now we wait. She seemed really excited to have Brennan as part of the school and said he seemed like a good fit, but said they're bringing all new people before the school leadership team and then once approved, they'll send out a letter, probably yet this week. So, we should know if he's for sure accepted yet this week or first part of next, and then we'll go from there. :)
2 comments:
Often times christian schools and homeschools lack the resources to teach the core curriculum to insure that the students are prepared for college entrance exams such as the ACT or SATs. Check their core subjects such as reading comprehension, english/verbal/writing, math, and sciences. Also it would be helpful to see what kind of scores the seniors at these schools are making on college exams and which college programs are accepting these students. Although in a perfect world it would be comforting to only have Christians everywhere we look however I think its important to shine your light regardless of your surroundings. Good luck!
It sounds like a great program!! Per the above remark...actually, I am not sure of this particular school's curriculum, but as it is newer, it is probably up-to-date, and since you will homeschool part of the time.. TRUST ME, the resourses ARE THERE! He will have no problem getting into college etc. I have been researching this and have recently gone to a seminar on this. Do you know there are homeschool kids with their 4 year degree by the age of 18? This is not because they are geniuses or anything, but because they did some distance learning and have earned college credit while still in "high school." Anyway, sorry to fill up your blog like this. I have a lot of info, if you are nervous about the readiness for college. Also, I don't think people really understand what kids in public schools are up against. It's not like it was when we were there. As adults we can pick and choose for the most part who we surround ourselves with, but for a Christian kid in a public school, well it is getting to be a pretty rough place, and they can't choose to find another place to be for 8 hours of their day, and yes we are called to be salt and light, but not necessarily as children, and not until we are ready. Yes, God does use children to be salt and light sometimes, but think how hard it must be on a young impressionable kid to do it all day long! It really is ok to insulate your kids..not isolate, but insulate. When taking coffee with you somewhere, you put it in a thermal cup...why?...to insulate it. You want what you put into it...hot coffee..to stay that way. Sorry to go on and on...I have researched A LOT, prayed A LOT, and seen enough, and am very passionate on the subject. =)
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