This is long ...and here is the background (you've been warned)
The public schools here are shit. (I live in Chicago proper) I mean, shit. Paying for private school is just awful. Try 12 grand a year per kid. I'm so fucking poor and I feel like I have no relationship with them because I'm either depressed over money or always at work.
I've been trying to figure out next years game plan for the last week. Every school is either religiously based or obscene amounts of money per semester. I've made a vow to the kids that I would never make them attend a religion based school, because I feel IF they choose an organized religion it's because they want to be apart of it. Not because I force fed it for the sake of an education etc. I want an unbiased view projected onto my kids as much as possible. So far so good, as both have remained on the honor roll through out and have had little to zero issues otherwise. Both are in the gifted and talented programs and it seems private school has been a wise investment. However, I honestly can no longer afford to do so.
In my little looksy to see what else is available (because the charter schools etc are lottery based and impossible to get into) I found a solution. Home schooling that is part of the Public school system and is considered a Charter school. The kids will be apart of a normal school day via online. It records their hours and what not. The city ships out computers and the other materials. Once a week we are required to go downtown and spend 8 hours with the other students and parents that are in the program. They do have a limited amount of 600. basically once a week is a field trip and socializing. Which perked my ears up a bit. My biggest struggle in going through with this is that they would become introverted. I do NOT want that for them. Seeing as they get to have one day with other students that makes me happy.
I'm also required to attend classes, seminars and workshops with other parents and it will include the kids. Which are twice a month.
I'm so in love with this idea. We can literally move anywhere in the city now. Which frees up cost of living a bit. I'm going to get a larger apartment and turn a room into a classroom via Ikea. I've already spoken to their father figure and he's into the idea as well. I've encouraged him and his family to send misc books, and projects that I can use to help expand their minds.
No uniforms, no fucking 12 grand a year. No stupid extra transportation costs. No asshole teachers or sex offenders to worry about. I get to spend 8 hours a day with the kids, on a good schedule and not feel like they are losing out on time with me to bond because I'm at work.
Friends that are teachers have agreed to do almost guest speaker appearances and help with homework. It's pretty awesome. I'm not fooled into thinking that this is the correct way to educate children, and I'm going to stay on top of things. If by some chance they begin to fall behind or fall apart they will go right back into a class room. right now though I'm going to give it a whirl.
Has anyone here had experience with home schooling that's structured like this? Any suggestions?
I'm going to get both involved in community activities. Like art classes, music etc where they are around their peers and out of the house. I'm also going to move to a more kid friendly part of the city so that they will have neighborhood children to interact with and can go to the parks.
I'm not trying to shelter them, I just simply want to be far more involved in their growing and education as well as stretch the almighty dollar. I'm a single mom and I have to play both roles.
Sorry about the rant and rave. It's just been so long since I've had an great solution to their educational needs that isn't confining or strapping on our lives and budget. I could cry I'm so pleased.![]()



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