Good for you!
I am glad you are pleased with your son's new school. But, no matter what ~ do not become complacent! There are good schools/ poor schools, good/poor teachers and everything in between. A large part of the difference is the parents, their attitude, and their realistic support for their child.
I spent 30 years as a public school teacher, our kids tried both public and private schooling. It was always a challenge. Our kids are both very bright and talented (naturally, as parents we all know that!
) but in the public sector that doesn't help when coupled with incredible creativity. If I had it to do all over again (our kids are grown and finished with college and are both professionals in different fields) I probably would opt for private school where I could have greater influence over what they were learning and how. The biggest difficulty I had with the public school system was that it seems to somehow destroy the confidence of many of the kids. They learn to hate school. I worked hard not to do that to any of my own students, but one never really knows what was accomplished in the long run!
The one thing in defense of public school and the hard times... it helps kids build character (as long as they have supportive parents) and helps them deal and learn about the hard knocks that life often brings. Fairness is a stupid myth that they teach somewhere.... life just isn't that way all the time! Our kids are both strong, independent people. We sometimes long for the dependent children we once had, but are proud they can stand on their own feet and be successful!
Raising a family is both the hardest and most rewarding thing I have ever done. It brings you the best life has to offer along with the worst at times.
No matter what the future brings, if your child knows you love them, will be there when they need help, and you can help teach them how to have strength in the face of adversity ~ they will make it just fine!
Mrs. NorCal Bambi (traveling in S Tardis)