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Twelve Years ago I enrolled my oldest child,
Peyton into a private school.I had no real reasons for why I did , literally it was one of the only schools that had a 4 year old program that I knew about that would take children during thetheir
spring session. And because I was a single mom at the time I had to count up the cost, and this school fit in my budget.
My son started school in January of 2005. In his class there were 7 other students and one other teacher. They learned through the process of repetition and consistent practice. There was only one class per grade level, and sometimes two grades in one classroom which in most cases was a great advantage to learning. I was impressed with the amount of learning that took place within one week of school. I knew we would be there for a while.
By the end of school my son could wite his first and last name in cursive, he knew how to count by 10’s, he had memorized several Bible Scriptures, could speak and understand some Spanish, and he could add and subtract. I was sold and for the next 7 year’s he was afforded the same education with the same 7 kids from k-4 to the 7th grade.
I was saddened when the school closed abruptly in 2013 as he was about to enter the 8th grade. I had a choice to make, would I keep him and my 2nd son in private school or would I enroll them in public school.
I am a product of public school so I have no issues with public schools. But with all the changes and required testing not to mention the class sizes, it would be so different and a bigger adjustment for them to make, so it was easier to make the decision to go to another private school. This time a much larger private school that incorporated sports, clubs, and more advance placement courses.
They soared in their new school, made a lot of new friends and advanced in their preferred sport. And now was the time for their little sister and my first daughter to enter kindergarten. I was excited that she would attending the same school. I didn’t think it would be any different but after one month of school, I’m thinking why aren’t there anymore black girls in school with her. And why I never thought of this when my boys were in school.
I never thought after 12 years of school with my sons that I would ever question my choice of schools. Don’t get me wrong, she has two wonderful teachers, a class of only 18 students. They have great special classes and she’s learning a lot. And within a month her vocabulary ( as in words she can spell) has increased tremendously. She’s adding, subtracting, she’s making friends, getting dirty, and most of all she has lunch w her big brother daily.
But is she missing something by not being in school with other black girls? Of course she is. Is that my fault, of course it’s not! And when she asked me to wear her hair flat ironed am I alarmed, of course but aren’t all 5 year old wearing their hair straightened?! Just not mine.
I’d like to live in world where there is a balance to life. Where people wouldn’t snub their noses to private institutions but embrace it. I’d like to live in a world where my differences are not discouraged but encouraged. I’d like to live in a society where there are just as many mixed private schools as there are private predominantly white schools. I just may have to open one… Until then I’ll continue to invest in my kids education and continue to tell them that they are fearfully and wonderfully made in God’s image.
Family First! #21daysofprayerand counting
Tesha
