It's our decision

As most kids count down to the end of the school year I am counting down to when JT starts preschool the end of Aug. A little over 3 months and he'll be in school.

While buying a piano on Saturday, the salesman saw the city we live in and asked how the school district is. I said huge. It's 2 cities with LOTS of kids. He said but the area feels and looks like a small town. I agree. It does have the small farm town feel and that's why we love this area.

A coworker and I were talking about JT starting school and I mentioned how many people have mentioned how smart he is. She asked about our school district and how they should have programs for him if he is an advanced learner. I also told her the district is huge and I worry about him getting lost. Not lost in the school but lost in the system.

Our decision is this, JT (and all future kids) will be going to private school. They will be going to school at our church and God willing to the high school I graduated from (which is a school supported by our church's synod). This decision was fairly simple. TC and I both went to grade school through our church's. TC went to a public highschool and I to a private highschool. We want our children to be nurtured everyday in God's Word. I know the standards the teachers hold.

This is our decision. So why do I feel I have to defend it? Why do people turn up their noses when they hear 'Private School'. TC admitted to me his preceived idea of a private school kid. You know the Preppy dressed kid driving the BMW off to lacrosse. Wrong. When I hear of a private school kid who goes to a Christian school I think of a teenager going through the tough years with teachers who when a student approaches him/her they take out their Bible and pray. They aren't hindered by what the government says. I know the teachers hold the same values I do in how they live their lives. I know that JT will be able to know ALL his classmates. I graduated 8th grade with a class of 6. I walked along with 74 of my fellow senior classmates as we graduated in 1997. I loved going to my 10 year highschool reunion knowing everyone. TC went to his 10 year highschool reunion and had people talking to him he didn't even realize were in his class.

And again, this may not be most people's choice for their kids, but it is ours and we are happy with it.