Private school

I never thought I might be looking into private school for any of my kids, but that's just what I've been looking up this evening. We haven't made the decision yet, because a big part of that will be if we can actually afford it without taking out a second mortgage.

I'm just so frustrated for Colin. Once again, we've started another school year and once again he feels little more than apathy toward it. He is never any trouble, and will do the work handed to him, but I think he just doesn't see the point of it. From what I can tell, in the current system, he would coast along well at a C average, never really enjoying himself or the schooling.

The following picture is what propelled me to look into an alternative for him:

This is a picture Colin drew and labelled during his quiet time the other day, while I took a short nap. We have not been discussing the body or its makeup, nor have we been working on writing and reading in specific exercises. This literally "came out of nowhere," or, in other words, was simply something he found fascinating and decided to explore on his own. On the left is a picture of your body from the outside, on the right is from the inside. Colin drew and labelled the bones, blood, and heart. The writing in black reads "Be careful with your body." The writing in red at the bottom is the legend (heart, blood, bone.)

At school, the only thing we have heard from teachers is that Colin displays little interest in the activities, including reading, writing, art, gym, and science. Last year the teacher said she Colin only reluctantly finished any work, and showed no interest in it at all. Colin's responses at home to us, when queried about school, is that he understands the work and does his best to do it, but there has been absolutely nothing, not one thing, that piqued his interest at all. And knowing his teacher last year (fabulous - hands on, lots of involvement and activities) and his teacher for this year and next, and also the teacher for grades 3-4, (sitting at tables, lots of workbook stuff) I just don't see things getting any better.

How can a child with so many questions at home, who takes initiative, who pursues learning with an unquenchable thirst, be floundering at school? It absolutely breaks my heart to see him so apathetic toward learning, especially when I'm so passionate about it.

And so, perhaps private school, just for him, and just for now. I'm hoping that he can test into the gifted program by grade 4, so really we just have to get through the next 3 years. But I really abhor the idea that a "better education" (or at least a different type of education) can only be accessed by those with the money to pay for it. Really, it outrages me, and I can hardly believe I'm looking into it. But there has got to be an answer out there for us.