It's a tricky one isn't it? So many options or none at all depending on where in the world you live. For us, living in close proximity to the capital city of our country, we have a lot of choices. Not all good choices, but choices none the less. US schedule expat school, US schedule bilingual school, US schedule Costa Rican school, Costa Rican schedule bilingual school, Costa Rican Spanish only school, Costa Rican public school, Homeschool. Yikes!
I think when were were trying to decide what to do three years ago, we looked at 6 or 8 different options. And frankly none were "just right". They all had issues. From cost, to location, to philosophy. I ended up talking with another missionary mom who is a little further down the education road with her kids than we were and she gave me some good advice. She said "no option here is perfect and what works one year for one kid, might not work the next year or for any of the other kids." Ok then.
We picked it for a couple of reasons. We felt like for our family, it was important to be on the same school calendar so that when we are on Home Assignment, our kids can attend the local public schools (which indeed worked out well this last time!). This particular school also has a Spanish as a Second Language program, which was a big thing for us! Both our big boys have been in that program and it's given the boost they need to be up to speed with the Spanish.
It is a private school and so there is the cost. Sigh. That gets to me. But I fall back on the fact that God led us to this school and He will provide. And He has. Three years in, while it doesn't look like it should work out on paper, it does, every month.
There are still hard moments. I often remind myself that since God called our whole family here, that includes our boys. Part of His plan for their lives is to be bi-cultural. He is preparing them for what's ahead in their lives and that's exciting!!
What's been the hardest part of the Education Question for your family? What helped you make your decision?
I think that the hardest part for us has actually been a lack of choices (funny that we're in the same country, but it's so different where we are!). We basically made our decision from a process of elimination and went with the only option that remained!
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