Sudokuaholics Anonymous 2

I think charter schools here require an application.

schools - sorry

I'm not sure if there is any kind of fee assessed.

Charter schools here are like private schools except they are funded with taxpayer money. The students have to meet a certain criteria based on the requirements of the school. If the student is accepted, the parents apply for a voucher that pays all or part of the tuition.

Now that we're talking about schools, I'm not sure if I should bring this up. Have been debating for a while and am almost afraid to put it out there.

Go ahead Stella. You won't offend me.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charter_school

Lynda, here is a quick explination and from the bit I read, it is beginning to be more understandable to me now. Each of those I asked were telling me about THEIR charter school, but each one is different according to it's charter, what it sets as it's goal and how it will reach it. NO WONDER I did not understand!!

Go for it, Stella. You're among friends.

OK, here goes. This won't offend anyone, just was afraid of criticism. Last fall D#2 (now 14yo) wanted to apply to boarding schools. I told her go ahead as long as she did all of the work herself.

OK, Stella, what is it? we will not bite! maybe bark a bit, that is all

Just googled Charter Schools and it said 'Charter Schools are an innovative public shcool providing choices for families and greater accountability for results.'

That's it? You were afraid of sharing that with us? Gosh, Stella, she probably knows someone who goes to one or has heard that many of them have excellent college prep. classes.

She found a bunch of school, she set up the visits, set up the entrance exam, got recommendations from all of her teachers herself - basically did everything. She got a 95% scholarship to a boarding school about 2 1/2 hours away and will be going there in September.

Stella, I don't see anything wrong with it. If it's something she really wants, she needs to know how much work is involved and maybe she will appreicate it more.

Plus, if she has done some research on them and wanted to see if she could be accepted, she is probably mature enough to handle the applications, etc. Also, it's good preparation for college.

Stella she is to be congratulated for her endeavour, best of luck to her.

Stella, I think that is wonderful! she really put some effort into this and got great results.

She has always been a homebody. Spends all of her time reading. Never goes out to play with the neighborhood kids. And she loves to learn. The criticism around here has been how could I let someone else raise her.

And I thought you were going to stir the pot.

Wow, Stella! Congratulations to your daughter for doing the work and getting a great scholarship! And huge congrats to you and hubby for raising such a smart and determined child! to her! to the rest of the family! (Sorry, there isn't a congrats smilie.)

So, that means 3 of your 4 will be away at school come fall?? How are you feeling about that?? Not quite the empty nest, but your more of little chhicks are going out on their own.

Stella, sounds like you raised a level headed girl. She has shown initiative and maturity that a lot of mothers would love to see in their daughters.

The high school the older two went to has gone down hill with the new administration. She is very much interested in learning, but this is so unlike her it's a little scary. That's why I insisted she do it on her own. I didn't think she would go through with it but I actually thought it would be good for her.

Stella you can't confuse home life 'raising' and school 'raising'.

I think by age 14, you have had ample time to 'raise her' and teach her your values. going away to school will not change that, Stella.

Stella, you're not letting someone else raise her. You and hubby have obviously done an excellent job of raising her to be a very mature young woman! She's just ready to start a more independent approach to learning before the standard college years!

Does this boarding school have a religious affiliation? Is it all girls? Tell us more abou tit please.

I wanted my older one to try it years ago, but she wasn't interested. I never thought D#2 would even consider it. The house will be pretty much empty. Three will be off to school in September.

Knowing it will be hard on her, hard on you, hard on hubby and the rest of the family when it gets to be time to take her there and drop her off, I hope ALL of your family members can be extremely supportive of the decision. Plus, with all the access to communication via phone, IM, e-mail, etc., she will only be minutes away.

It has boys and girls. It has a religious affiliation, Episcople (sp?) I think, but the head of admissions said she could go to church with her off campus (1/2 mile) to the local catholic church.

Wow! What fun when they all come home for holidays.

She won't be far from D#1, about 20 minutes from Boston College. She has a week and a half off at Thanksgiving, a month at Christmas, 3 weeks in March and gets out in the beginning of June.

I'm glad she isn't your first to 'go off to school.' You already know what it's like when they take their first steps to independent learning. It will be an ADVENTURE for the whole family!

has she discussed with you why she wanted to go to boarding school?

Is the school in MA, then? Being only 20 minutes from her big sister might be a bit reassuring for her - and for you, Mom!

We will also probably go to her games. They are required to participate in 3 sports. The campus is beautiful and everyone seemed really nice all of the times we visited.

Stella, sounds like she will be ok. She won't be going to church alone. And, D#1 can be there in no time if she is needed.

Boy you will have your hands full getting 3 packed and ready to leave for the school year! AND just imagine next spring when all 3 come home bringing all thier belongings to store for 3 months!! You thought one brought home a lot of stuff this year!!

It sounds like the school hope to produce well-rounded young adults.

The school is in MA, near Boston. So we'll have two to the east of us and one to the south, in New Jersey.