Home-schooling in Poland

As Martin likes to say on a weekly basis, there are 5 BIG things we definitely, absolutely, need to "get figured out" before we go.

1. School

2. Work

3. I can't remember

4. Ditto

5. It's his list, ask him

For real. He does have a list. But he made it up for himself and keeps repeating it at me. I can never remember what's on it.  The only thing on my list (not including everything on the stuff board), is school. And that....I can check off! (Thanks to Martin)

Ok, so, back to business. 

Martin left for 2 weeks to do 2 big things. Look at land (1) and figure out the school thing (2).  It was a crazy 2 weeks, and very productive. He has been home now for about a month and I am finally writing about the most exciting conclusion from that trip....

HOMESCHOOLING IN POLAND IS GOING TO BE AWESOME!

Now, before we talk about home-schooling let's talk about traditional schooling, in Poland. (this is not based on personal experience. It is based on our current, limited, understanding of "how things work." But it's the general gist.)

Your child can attend a private or public school.

Public schools, as in America, are funded by the government.

Private schools, while possibly recieving some subsidies from the government, are primarily funded by the students families, fundraisers, parish etc. 

Theology/Religion of some sort is taught in both private and public schools.

The best schools in the city (IMO) are public schools run by nuns. (PUBLIC schools run by nuns. Schools, funded by the government, run by women married to Christ... I *know*! Our separation of church and state alarms are clanging off the hook right now) Free school, taught by faithful women who's lives are devoted to the students. Sounds great to me! Unfortunately, there are waiting lists 2 years long or more to get into these schools. Apparently I am not the only one that thinks this is an awesome combination. Even public schools in Poland must be applied to, especially if they are some of the most popular.

Private schools are a bit more like in the states. Parents pay, although the cost, in comparison to American private schools, is basically close to 1/5 the price (in American dollars) and the schools are usually a bit smaller. You can pick and choose the type of school that you want to some extent. Still, mostly Christian schools, but some more Catholic specific than others. Some specialize in languages or music. One Martin looked at had the 2nd graders learning two foreign languages. 

If we were going to send our children to a traditional school in Poland, there are many to choose from that I think we could be ok with in terms of size, cost, and quality of education. And, to top it off, until the child is in 4th grade or so, they only go to school for 4 hours a day. They don't mess around in Poland. Kids get to school, work their butts off, and then go home for lunch. I approve of this. This is good.

But, the most exciting conclusion to this whole trip? While it's nice to know that these schools are out there, and that we can take advantage of them, and be ok with it.....we don't have to! And THAT, my friends is the best news I have heard yet, concerning this move.

In fact, to be completely honest, when Martin started telling me everything about the people he met, and the system to begin enrolling to home-school, and the curriculum options...I cried.  Real tears, of joy. And relief. This has been my biggest concern. This is my biggest job, therefore it is my biggest concern. At one point I told Martin that if we wanted to home-school, if *I* could do it and had the will, but we COULDN'T, because of outside pressures... then it was a deal breaker. That we wouldn't be going, or that we would have to find a way to never establish citizenship for the kids, or *something,* to keep them home-schooled.

 It's that important to me. It's *that* important to me.

Martin met other home-schoolers who are interested in setting up a co-op. He met other home-schoolers who told him where to find curriculum, after school programs for extracurricular activities, and how to go about registering at a school so you can work with them on testing. ALL of the things we were clueless about. He met other home-schoolers who are doing it, home-schooling, easily, and happily, and successfully. You know, the way it happens in the U.S.

I don't know how to express how much of  a relief all of this is. No matter how difficult some of the day to day things are going to be, how frustrated I get with the language or cultural oddities, or my confusion about whether or not *this* particular public restroom is free... my home, and my children will be as they should.

As *I* think they should. Not the government, or the next door neighbors, or other family. But, *me,* the mommy... and the teacher.  And that gives me peace. And makes me smile.

Lina, working on a file folder game.