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deird1I tried to discuss this with my best friend, but a performing arts background is not among her many virtues, so she doesn't really get it.
Hence, venting to those of you who care:
I am currently checking out secondary schools in my local area, because my son will need to go to one in 2027. We're looking at state and private schools (assuming those private schools are at least vaguely affordable), and going to as many school tours as we can.
This morning, I went to one that would be perfect at handling my autistic, socially-awkward, kind-of-a-flailing-mess kid. They have great support, great strategies in place for neurodivergent students, and a really nice school culture.
Their academic program is nothing to write home about, but is fine.
…and their performing arts program is nonexistent. No bands, no concerts, no drama classes. They can learn music as an elective subject, but that's it.
Guys. I don't think I can send my kidlets to a school that doesn't do lots of performing arts. I just… no. NO.
I want them to be able to play music with their friends, and do the school musical, and join a band. And apparently this is important enough to me that every other positive aspect of the school fades into the background.
I swear I'm not trying to be ridiculously shallow. But being a musical person was such a huge part of my life – and still is – and is pretty important to my kids, too. They're both musicians, and both trying to get better at their instruments, and the idea of sending them to a school that doesn't value that part of them just… hurts my soul.
Hence, venting to those of you who care:
I am currently checking out secondary schools in my local area, because my son will need to go to one in 2027. We're looking at state and private schools (assuming those private schools are at least vaguely affordable), and going to as many school tours as we can.
This morning, I went to one that would be perfect at handling my autistic, socially-awkward, kind-of-a-flailing-mess kid. They have great support, great strategies in place for neurodivergent students, and a really nice school culture.
Their academic program is nothing to write home about, but is fine.
…and their performing arts program is nonexistent. No bands, no concerts, no drama classes. They can learn music as an elective subject, but that's it.
Guys. I don't think I can send my kidlets to a school that doesn't do lots of performing arts. I just… no. NO.
I want them to be able to play music with their friends, and do the school musical, and join a band. And apparently this is important enough to me that every other positive aspect of the school fades into the background.
I swear I'm not trying to be ridiculously shallow. But being a musical person was such a huge part of my life – and still is – and is pretty important to my kids, too. They're both musicians, and both trying to get better at their instruments, and the idea of sending them to a school that doesn't value that part of them just… hurts my soul.
no subject
Date: 2025-03-14 09:48 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-03-14 10:17 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-03-14 09:33 pm (UTC)Also wanted to say that sometimes literally one teacher with a bit of a passion coming in can turn this around - it might be worth talking to the school about whether music etc. is a direction they're looking at going in.
Good luck - I still find the "having secondary school options" thing kind of weird (grew up rural, was a non- Catholic girl... so one school available! Was fortunate that music, theatre and fairly wide range of academic subjects were covered.)