Hilmar,

You would be surprised at how many Americans learn at home these days. I think it is the fastest growing educational system in the U.S. I have quite a few friends who stay at home to teach their children themselves through 'home schooling.' With the many problems in public schools and the rising costs of private schools, it is more popular every year. Most states have home schooling groups in many cities you can join for assistance, socialization, and sporting events to meet other home schoolers.


>Another option is to learn at home. I did this, and my brothers and sisters too; in the jungle, we had not much choice (but I think it is an option to consider, even if you live in a city).
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>We learned with the following schools, which I can highly recommend:
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>Calvert (1st. - 8th. grade)
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>American School, in Chicago, Illinois (last 4 years of high-school - no prerequisites).
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>I went on and studied college through correspondence (with Grantham College of Engineering); some of my brothers and sisters continued in more traditional colleges.
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>>Glad you got it resolved! My daughter started school 3 weeks ago and is already waiting for summer. :o) Other than socializing, she is typical of most kids and would rather do nothing (for a couple of days anyway until she gets bored) than attend school. She does well though and is in accelerated classes again this year. That may have something to do with her not enjoying school as much. They really load up the homework and the teachers have very little patience for their students in those classes. Her bookbag weighs more than 45 lbs when she brings it home at night and she only weighs 78 lbs! When one little girl in my daughter's accelerated class asked the teacher to repeat something, the teacher informed her that if she wanted special attention she needed to attend a private school! Well, my daughter attended private school up until last year and she almost blurted out that that is exactly the truth. The attention and instruction is much better at private schools as a
>>general rule as well as the teacher's qualifications. Luckily she did not say any such thing. If it were not for the fact that her private school only had 8 kids in each class (little opportunity for socialization in that environment) I think she would prefer the private school!