Public School vs. Home School – I’m Letting My Kids Decide (Guest Post)

As I anxiously sat there listening to the elementary school principal address all the parents, I couldn’t believe that this day had come. I tried to remain positive and smile even though I wanted to run out of there. My eldest was about to start school and this was an “introduction” designed by the school to make the transition into kindergarten easier.

On the outside, I was the cheerful parent as they called my daughter’s name to join her class. I encouraged her to get in line and even snapped a picture. She looked a little confused even though we told her she was going to meet her classmates and teacher and we’d see her soon. As the class started to walk out, she tried to come back to us, but I stood up and encouraged her to go.

I Don’t Trust the Institution of School

I’m not in favor of allowing my children to attend public school. I don’t like the thought of my child attending school with a bunch of other kids and adults who may not necessarily have my child’s best interest in mind.

I’m uncomfortable putting so much trust and faith in a bunch of individuals whose names and faces I don’t even know.

I don’t like that my child is being thrust into an independent situation that may leave her vulnerable. She’ll have to depend on other adults to protect her from potential bullies. She’ll have to depend on these same adults to make choices in her best interest and protect her should a crisis occur at the school. And I would have to depend on these very same adults to tell me the truth should something terrible happen to my child.

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Don’t get me wrong – on all accounts this school appears to be fine and boasts a great faculty. My real concern is the fact that not only will I have to rely on the good judgment of virtual strangers, but I will not be there.

California’s Failed Education System

I’ll be honest – I truly believe that educationally speaking, I can do a better job by homeschooling my girls. I would have my pick of online programs to follow while also  ensuring they don’t fall unnoticed into any educational cracks.

In terms of the state of California (where I live), the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) 2018 report ranks it at 25 out of all 50 states – with a letter grade of C. Not entirely bad but not all that good either – especially considering the amount of taxes collected.

Teachers aren’t equipped with adequate supplies or materials and the average GPA is 2.0. Considering California funds over 50 percent of state education, this begs the question “Where does the money actually go?”

In 2017, a Mercury News article put the state at 40th place overall, based on data collected by Education Week Magazine. Interestingly enough, WalletHub determined California to be in 29th place yet much of its statistical data (specifically concerning 21 key measures) differs significantly compared to the measuring systems of other educational researchers.

Either way, I don’t like the statistics I’m reading. And where my daughter’s education is concerned, I feel I’ve done a damn good job preparing her for the rest of her schooling life. She’s just shy of five-years-old and already she’s reading, writing, and doing basic math.

New Fears in A New Age

Growing up myself in the California school system, we were prepared for two distinct scenarios: a natural disaster and catching fire. We would often have earthquake drills – where we’d all get under our desks and then as a class, march in a single file line to meet up with the rest of the school. And who can forget the mantra of “Stop, Drop and Roll” – another drill we practiced in school – in case we ever caught on fire.

Fast forward to present day, and we can add another scenario for students to prepare for through drills – a potential school shooting.

As if leaving my child with a bunch of strangers wasn’t worry enough? As if the possibility of my child being bullied or negatively influenced by her peers wasn’t enough to be concerned about? As if a natural disaster hitting our part of the world isn’t scary enough? Now, as a parent, I must also add to the list the worrisome possibility of some crazy person shooting up my kid’s school.

I know the chances of this happening are very low but it doesn’t matter – the chance is still there. How times have changed since I was a child.

The 12-Foot Walls

As I listened to the school principal talk to all of us parents about what to expect the first day of school, she assured us of our children’s protection and the measures they have in place to keep them safe:

• Parents or guardians must walk their children to the school gate
• No one outside of the pupils and staff are allowed beyond the gate – within the kindergarten grounds
• The gate attendant ensures our children’s safety behind its 12-foot walls
• At the end of the school day, parents and guardians must enter the classroom in order to collect their children

The principal led the parents through the process. Inside the kindergarten grounds I saw my little girl sitting with her class listening to one of the aids speak. She didn’t look scared – maybe just a bit unsure.

My daughter’s future teacher passed out a list of words she planned on teaching the kids throughout the school year as well as a list of supplies the kids would be needing. She appeared to be a nice woman, perfectly capable as a teacher.

Yet I’m still nervous about my daughter attending public school.

Letting Go

My husband and I are at an impasse on the issue. He insists our girls need to attend kindergarten (at the very least) within the school system as they need to interact with other children. I tried to argue that they do interact – when at the park, at birthday parties, on playdates.

Then there is the fact that I work full-time – I am not a stay-at-home-mom. My income is important to our family – and unless I can somehow figure out how to replace it while also remaining home – then I must continue working full-time.

So for now – I’m letting go of my insecurities surrounding the public school system. My husband and I have reached a compromise. Both our girls will attend kindergarten – after that the decision to continue or stop will be theirs to make. If they prefer to opt out of school, then I will stay home in order to home school them.

The ball will be in their court – and we’ll just have to wait and see how it plays out. As for me – I’m going to have to overcome my fears. And if they do like school – then I just might keep my day job too.

Alice V is a blogger at www.diyerfy.com. She writes about crafts, preschool activities, home décor, home improvement, weight loss, family adventures and local tourism in Southern California. She has many interests in life including astronomy, cooking, painting, and creating while having fun with her family.