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Rigorous

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My daughter is enrolled in a private Christian school. I describe that as rigorous, even though there is a nurturing side to it. I believe though the majority would describe it as rigorous. Because they take their job seriously. Their job is to give your child a good education. They are not there to baby them into learning. There is many a nights that we have sat at the kitchen table, struggling to do second grade math, that I probably learned in fifth grade.

So you ask, is this hard on the child? I believe that it is hard, but it is also well worth the effort. My child went to public school in kindergarten, and that was enough for me. She would come home discussing parts on the human body that she should not have ever been aware of at that age. My mind reels. Where were the teachers when these conversations were going on? Were they there and just ignoring what was being said? After all, kids will be kids?

The atmosphere at my child's Christian school is one of respect. You do not stay in this school if you do not respect yourself and each other. She has been going there for 3 years now and I have never been happier. When she comes home now, we do not discuss peoples anatomy, we discuss the lessons she has learned that day from the bible.

Another thing I noticed, in public school there was always, "she hates me" or "she is ugly". I don't hear comments like this anymore. I am sure there is bad seeds in all groups, but in this private school, where everyone wears the same uniform, there is no constant debate on who has the best clothes. There is no coming home unhappy because "she said she hated me". Because this is a rigorous education that these children are getting. Comments like this are not tolerated. The children are taught to respect each other.

Nurturing is great. Nurturing should be done at home.

One other thing, the classrooms in this school are kept to a certain number of students. That is their plan. They know how many kids will be in that class and can plan how they will handle each day. They don't cram as many kids in a room as they can, until the lot of them becomes "hectic" and "uncontrollable".

I go to events at the school and what I see there is sweet, respectful children. They see their teachers and go running up to them to say Hello, and the teachers hugs them. That tells me that even though they are put through a rigorous academic plan, these teachers care. They have the time to get to know each student and what each student is capable of. You must retain a certain grade level to stay in this school. It must be rigorous to help that child keep up with his or her peers.

There is nothing wrong with a school being rigorous. I believe my child will be one step ahead of acquiring whatever goals that she reaches for. That does not mean that there is not nurturing involved either. But, lets keep it in perspective. What do we want for our children? What is the purpose in them getting an education? I don't think that there is any question here. Not if we want whats best for our children.

Learn more about this author, Pamela Folks.
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