Replies to '11/24 Great School Debate'

But not everyone does.  I, too, am the product of the public school system.  I also graduated from college with a 4.0 GPA in Business Management.  But I graduated from high school in the lower half of my class.  Why?  One reason:  I spent most of my time and energy there avoiding harrassment and bullies.  I went to school sick to my stomach most days.  I could not concentrate and focus on the things that I should have.  Instead, I had to avoid certain hallways where the "jocks" hung out and rated every girl that walked by.  I avoided going to my locker, or the bathrooms at other times, because of who I knew would be there.  I spent so much time just trying to be invisible, or being afraid,  that there was no time, nor energy, to spend in active learning. 

When I got to college, I felt like I had died and gone to heaven!  I LOVE to learn.  And I didn't get harrassed by anyone there.  And I excelled.  My college years were some of the best in my life.  I have many good friends even now, who were made in college.  That was over half my life ago!  It made me wonder if I wouldn't have excelled in high school, had the environment been friendlier to those of us who didn't fit into any cliques or groups. 

It would break my heart to have no choice but to subject my two little ones to that kind of harrassment, 5 days a week, day in and day out, for 12 straight years.  It changes you, and not for the better.  Thank God for other options now!  I'm a homeschooler and we love it.