Big Decision

[Valerie in Chicago]

I took DD#1 to be tested for Chicago's Gifted/Academic Enrichment schools last winter. DH & I didn't care about if she got in anywhere or not; we just figured that it was a free test, so why not?

Last year, for the K entry test, she scored in the 99.7th %-ile, but wasn't admitted anywhere. We enjoyed the results and continued happily on our way.

This year, the scores were broken down into Reading & Math (they don't do that for the K test). She scored in the 99th %-ile for reading and the 97th %-ile for math. Needless to say, it took our breath away.

Then the kicker -- she was admitted to the #1 elementary school in the state of IL. Honestly, I only put it down on the form for laughs. They have one K class and one 1st grade class, so obviously most of the K kids will roll over into 1st grade the next year.

I've been a deer in the headlights since.:blink:

I haven't blogged this out in detail yet, but certainly this covers the important points.

Anyone else had a situation like this? Did the world end if you took a pass? I know that if we keep hs-ing that my side of the family will think we're taking this too far. (we won't even bother telling DH's family about it -- they think we're off the deep end for hs-ing in the first place)

Thanks for any feedback. I only know one other hs family IRL.

[Gratia271]

Yes, we had a similar situation where the most prominent school in our state pursued us zealously for our dd. Many of our friends were floored when we passed on it and continued homeschooling. I think the idea that so many people want these schools to want their children makes people think you are certifiable for passing up an opportunity that most would not even be offered. It is six years later and two children later, and I don't regret passing it up though some days I am overwrought with teaching three eg/pg kids! Best wishes on making the right decision for your family! :001_smile:

[melmichigan]

We had the opportunity to send our DD to one of the states math and science schools, but it is an hour away. We decided it wasn't worth the burden on the family as a whole and the other kids individually to do it. Most people who know thought we were nuts, the have waiting lists a mile long for kids hoping to get a spot. The few kids from our county that get in all have parents that drive them willingly each day.

Luckily my MIL is very supportive of our homeschooling our kids. There are days I'm worn out and run down but I know it is still the best choice for our DD.

[MBM]

I took DD#1 to be tested for Chicago's Gifted/Academic Enrichment schools last winter. DH & I didn't care about if she got in anywhere or not; we just figured that it was a free test, so why not?

Last year, for the K entry test, she scored in the 99.7th %-ile, but wasn't admitted anywhere. We enjoyed the results and continued happily on our way.

This year, the scores were broken down into Reading & Math (they don't do that for the K test). She scored in the 99th %-ile for reading and the 97th %-ile for math. Needless to say, it took our breath away.

Then the kicker -- she was admitted to the #1 elementary school in the state of IL. Honestly, I only put it down on the form for laughs. They have one K class and one 1st grade class, so obviously most of the K kids will roll over into 1st grade the next year.

I've been a deer in the headlights since.:blink:

I haven't blogged this out in detail yet, but certainly this covers the important points.

Anyone else had a situation like this? Did the world end if you took a pass? I know that if we keep hs-ing that my side of the family will think we're taking this too far. (we won't even bother telling DH's family about it -- they think we're off the deep end for hs-ing in the first place)

Thanks for any feedback. I only know one other hs family IRL.

Valerie, you could continue to homeschool and then around middle school or junior high opt to have your daughter join the masses. Years ago, a homeschooled boy got into my daughter's class at Edison in sixth grade. He was as humble and nice as he was bright -- scored an 800 on SAT math in sixth grade! (He's still single and working on his PhD, I hear. Hmm. I wonder if he has a girlfriend? :D ) Anyhoo, I think if you decide to continue homeschooling, it certainly won't hurt.

Here's an idea: Google Chelsea Link and Evanston. You might want to do some of what her parents did or even join the secular, gifted homeschooling group they began. It's in Evanston, but they seem to have some good ideas.

I'm envious that you're in the city. I wanted to live in Bucktown, but dh insisted we go the suburb route. We're in the New Trier area now.

Good luck and congrats to your daughter!

PS1 Do you mind telling us what the #1 elementary school is in Illinois now? I like to keep up with these things. If you'd prefer to keep mum, that's fine, too.

PS2 Now you have a taste for what it's like to get into high school! After that ordeal, applying to colleges was a breeze for us. :tongue_smilie:

[nova147]

:iagree:

We plan to wait until middle or high school to send DS to school. At some point in there, I expect to begin to struggle to keep up. But for now, I'm the one most able to meet his needs -- that's my criteria for school, kwim?

[abbeyej]

You know, if you turn it down, you're going to be giving someone else a huge thrill when they get that spot. It's not like, if you turn it down, it will go to waste. Someone will be ecstatic to send their child to that school.

For me, I don't home school because of the schools that are or are not available to us. Maybe sitting down and writing out all of your most compelling reasons to home school would be helpful. Try putting them in order of priority. And then go back down the list and ask yourself, "Would this school still be able to satisfy this goal?" Depending on what your reasons are, the answers may well be yes! Or they may not.

Then make a list of the reasons why this school would be fantastic. Would home schooling also provide those things? If not, what sort of priority would you place on those things?

If you were only planning to home school for a year or two anyway, or if your reasons were primarily to avoid less adequate schools, or ___, maybe it makes sense to take this spot.

On the other hand, maybe it's pretty cool to be invited, but it's not really what you want anyway. Someone once said something (about a similar dilemma I was facing), "It's like going to the pie store when what you really want is cake..." It could be the best pie out there. Phenomenal. But if what you really want is *cake*, you'll never be totally satisfied. Doesn't mean pie is bad! Doesn't mean it wouldn't be an okay choice. But it can't fulfill what you're really wanting / needing.

So sit down and make a list. You've got great pie. You've got great cake. But you need to know which you really want.