As you think about joining our school, we know there is a lot to consider. With permission, here is an exert from a recent email the director got when discussing reasons to enroll and why the love our program.
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Our story is not unique. Homeschooling wasn’t something we intended to do. By 4th grade Ben was a sick, unhappy, sensory kid but had all the potential in the world. We watched his love for learning get grounded into the pavement. We tried public & private but school per se was never anything more than just a big fat fight. And I’m not much of a fighter so it was pretty painful. We were scared to death but we pulled him out. I really struggled as a “teacher” but never gave up on making it work. And my son has met every challenge head on and is in a remarkable place now. But…I was always very anxious about the quality and legitimacy of Ben’s academic life. So many amazing accomplishments but what do we really have to show for it?
Josh and I are educated and very traditional in the belief that transcripts and diplomas should be left in the hands of professionals not mere mortals LOL. No matter how great my efforts to teach Ben, or his willingness to learn, I felt like at some point his record would face harsh scrutiny and that’s not fair to dump on a kid who is working their tail off to get somewhere. We thought that it was the legitimacy of accreditation that, at the end of this particular journey, would if nothing else give us peace of mind.
Now, all THAT snootiness having been said, I have to turn to —> the magic you make there and how it has literally taken Ben from “interests” to Internships. I’m not kidding. There is a practical nature to what you offer for a specific kid that goes far beyond a transcript. It’s a place for all these wonderful, brilliant, nerdy kids to delve deep into their talents and digital media interests while crafting solid academic and life skills. Major value there, wouldn’t you say? Um…DUH!
So it’s hard. We were wooed by the creative but caved at the accreditation, but now see that it is the entire package that makes us so incredibly happy to be a part of your world and wouldn’t have it any other way. I know standards change and that those changes would have many implications throughout your organization. No illusions there. But I’m saying that the Watsons are very firm in our belief that what you do and how you do it along with being *legit* are things we would be willing to make sacrifices for so it can continue. We would take on more administration, give up some flexibility and even pay more (OH GOD NO WHAT AM I $SAYING?!?!? 😉 But please know that you have some serious, solid and kinda scary backers in the Watson household.
Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help. Except cooking. I don’t want to cook. Anything. Ever. Again.
Trips both locally and farther way fosters a sense of connections not seen when only participating in online learning experiences. Students studying Colonial America may wish to visit Jamestown or Colonial Williamsburg and document it using their smartphones. Students take part in interactive presentations and meet historical figures or tour the Kennedy Space Center! High school students can complete local marine science labs in partnership with many excellent aquariums. These are only a few of the wonderful learning adventures our students experience as part of our experiential learning requirement!
