My kids went to the same school I did, and my Mom worked for them too, so I kind of knew where we, as parents, would have to supplement what they were learning. It’s a country school, in farm land, 700 kids in the schools. Now, there’s one elementary, one jr high, one high school, all on what was once a corn field.
To describe the school’s philosophy, small story:
In the 60’s, a new high school was built, there were a couple of grade schools (including one was the old high school that my Dad went to) and one jr high. They were all spread around, 15-20 miles between some.
The land the football field was on, was rented for $1, but would return to the owner when a new field was built.
The cornfield where the high school was built, the farmer kept the other land, knowing that eventually all the schools, and the sports fields, would all be there. The high school was designed so that a jr high could be built attached to it, which happened in 2000.
In about 2009, the elementary school was built behind the high school/jr high.
And then all the sports fields and stadiums were built on the same farm field.
The old football field went back to the owner, a grade school was demolished, the other buildings were bought and to be honest, we went by them a few days ago and it looks like life but we have no idea what they’re being used for.
So that’s an example of the mentality of this place. Do things as funds become available, plan ahead, and do them to last.
TheHusbandHalf and I decided I would stay home and help raise the kids, while he worked. I remember when they were little they were told that Daddy goes to work, that’s his job, and their job is to be a kid, but while being a kid, find out what their talents were. They were told everyone has at least one talent, some more. So, we helped expose them to many things, whatever they seemed interested in at the time.
Out here 4-H was a summer activity and I remember some of the projects were electricity, plumbing, gardening, and small animals. It helped them to decide what they liked, or where their talents were. Sewing, cooking, stuff that used to be taught in home ec. were things my daughter participated in. Our oldest worked at a golf course in the summer when he was high school age and he said some days he would help the owner work on his house. We were going through major remodeling then, (when are we not???) so the boys picked up a lot of knowledge there too.
He went to a 5 county vocational high school for his jr and sr years, which allowed him to take classes at the community college across the street and return each day to the home school to play on the golf team. He graduated from high school with 35 college credits, all on the taxpayers dime. I don’t think the high school has AP classes now, but maybe they do.
Accounting, life skills, home maintenance, minor car repairs were all stuff they learned at home, or with my Dad.
We kept an eye on what they were taught in school, and like I said, we supplemented. Though we are proud of all 3, our youngest son was proof to us that the school was ok, and what we did was ok, because he tested into the Nuclear Propulsion rate of the Navy. (takes a smart kid to do that)
Over the years, every graduating class seems to have at least one doctor, scientists, education majors, etc.
To be honest, what would not be taught, to fit in some of the things you’re talking about? I don’t remember there being a lot of ‘fluff.’ There's only so much that can be done in a day. I got it straight from a professional's (psychiatrist) mouth that kids need time to just be kids, and they are kids at least through high school.
As parents, I feel it's our responsibility to try and fill in where the school is not going into depth. It was also our job to make sure they had down time, the ration of time being selected by their age and their individual need.