Ask an Expat: Our version of the first day of school
japra | Aug 23, 2010 | Comments 21
School books and supplies for five classes.
In recent weeks, I’ve had a number of people ask me about Roxi school, so I thought that was probably a sign that I should do an update…
Roxi’s books arrived on Friday. The larger packet on the right contained her science kit–we haven’t had a minute to open that up yet. It should be interesting! The smaller box on the left held her books.
She started a couple of her classes this weekend. It’s going to take a little getting used to going to school this way. It very much depends on the student being self disciplined, which Roxi is, thankfully.
After doing a English lesson and part of an art lesson, Roxi decided we need to sit down and come up with a schedule for how much she needs to study each day. She wants to finish each cycle of classes (six cycles, five to six courses each) in about half the time it would take her to complete it in regular school. Each semester in regular school is about 18 weeks, so she’s hoping to have her courses and exams completed in nine weeks. It’s an aggressive schedule, to be sure. But if she can do it, she can have the majority of her classes finished before she starts her music school next autumn. Eye on the prize!!
The main concern I have right now is that I need to find a place that can administer Roxi’s exams. If anyone knows of a place in London or the Greater London Area, I’d love to hear about it.
By the way, Roxi needs 26 credits to graduate from the Texas high school system. She received 11.5 credits (she got credit for the high school level classes she took in middle school–yay!), so that means 14.5 to go. She’ll be doing some of the remaining 14.5 credits as dual credit classes (credit for high school and university), including some online songwriting classes through Berklee College of Music.
More impressions to come as we make our way through this program…
Filed Under: Ask an Expat • Blog • Expat Life • Featured
About the Author: JaPRA is an expat Texan living in England with her husband (Mr. DJ), their 17-year old daughter (Roxi), and their dog Trudy.
That is really interesting.
I am just searching University opportunities for my high school graduate in Belgium. He is into science and there are no English bachelor’s degree programs in science in Brussels, So he might take extensuve French course language and will enroll next year into a French language science program.
As for your question regarding a place that can administer Roxi’s exams, I would check this directly with the US embassy.
Our Embassy for example administer the high school final exam inside the embassy.
Good Luck to Roxi
Sharon
Thank you, Sharon! That is excellent advice. I am going to call them today.
I was wondering how you all were doing with the language. I heartily recommend immersion language courses. They are difficult and you have to work REALLY hard, but oh, the rewards are so great! Fewer headaches in the long run.
Thanks for your advice
I will sure look into the immersion language courses :)
Sharon
I’m sure Roxi is going to do great. When #1 was doing his two classes he would have good weeks (in which he got a lot done) and bad weeks. Both times he did finish on time. The program he used gave him a lot of support for how much he was getting accomplished and also for when he had questions.
Julia, I’m glad to know it does work :-)
Roxi is working extra hard right now. She has three more weeks of her full time music course, so in a way, this is a taste of what life could be like if she doesn’t get a lot of her courses done this year. Things should get better after the second week of September, when she can focus 80% of her time on US high school.
Sounds like a good high school plan for Roxi! As for administering exams, you might ask at TASIS, etc. Before our kids were finally accepted to their current high school ;) they had to take some placement tests (just in case) for admission to another local int’l. high school. I spoke with our NC middle school’s principal, who arranged with the teacher in charge of schoolwide testing to directly receive, proctor and submit the completed exams back to the int’l. school in the Netherlands. The teacher was great, worked with us to cover the testing in one day for both kids (so I didn’t have to deal separately with our NC high school). What a lifesaver for us, and I showed our gratitude with a small gift and gift card plus letter of appreciation to the teacher sent to both the principal and superintendent of the school system. Or perhaps a student teacher at the local int’l school might be willing to assist. Just some thoughts, good luck!
Thanks, Linda! The American schools are definitely on my list. I’m going to try some testing centers first just so I don’t feel guilty hitting them up every couple of months ;-) That’s really nice you were able to find a place for your kids’ international testing. There so much to think about when moving overseas, isn’t there? It’s wonderful to find people who are so nice and supportive.
I think she has a lot more self discipline then me. It’s an interesting way to do school work though. I wish her luck.
She has more self discipline than me as well, Invader_Stu. Believe me, I’ve learned a lot from her!
i’m so impressed with both roxi’s diligence as well as mom’s dedication to creatively piecing together her graduation requirements — great job the both of you and good luck with the exams……from the looks of it you’ve already gotten a lot of good advice!
Amanda, I’m hoping this works out. It was so frustrating to see Roxi work so hard in school on things that, while they are important, weren’t in her direct line of interest. Doing school this way buys her many, many hours of time for her music. Luckily she’s a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to her schooling, so she’ll work hard on that as well. :-)
It sounds as if it’s all starting to gel. When she has her eyes fixed on that prize of Berklee, she’ll keep that necessary discipline. Your love will keep YOU going!
Make sure to take some good school breaks, tho I doubt you need reminding!
Maureen, we’re planning to do some traveling the fall and spring as usual. And of course, there is the usual Christmas in Texas thing ;-)
I don’t know if they administer test for high school but American Intercontinental University is based in London and specializes in giving US accredited education to students outside of the US.
Thank you, Fred, that is a very good tip. I will try to get in touch with them!
Well, I think you guys have the discipline to do this, but it’s not for everyone! Home schooling isn’t it?
Christine, it is *definitely not* for everyone! Though Roxi is working at home, it’s not homeschooling in the usual sense. We are using the curriculum designed by the State of Texas, so it’s exactly the same as what the majority of the kids in Texas are studying. She could walk right into most any Texas high school with the books she currently has, and she’d slot right in. From what I understand, home schoolers pull together their own curriculum.
Goodness, you have done a jillion things since I last checked in. I feel badly about not keeping up, but I always enjoy the immersion of reading several weeks of blogging at one time.
You all are such a tight family unit that Roxi will certainly succeed in this education plan. All your and Mr. DJ’s self discipline and intelligence happily landed in Miss Roxi!
BTW, those pears looked gorgeous on your tree. I will send you my pear cake recipe. Poached pears and pear chutney are delicious, too. And I wonder if you could dry some. xoxMM
Hello, Mimsy, dear! It is always good to see you here. I would love your pear cake recipe. I’ve made your special chocolate cake many, many times and think of you every time :-)
Thank you for your kind words about Miss Roxi. She had some good study habits drilled into her in her elementary school back home!
XOXO
As we go through the ordeal of GCSE exams, I can’t help but wonder about more unconventional approaches to learning. It’s wonderful that Roxi has “a calling” and such a strong sense of what she wants to focus on.
UGH, it gets trickier and tricker, doesn’t it, Bee? I am wondering what your eldest is thinking about for Uni… We must chat soon!