School Searching

It's been 2 years since my last post, already? The boys are now back in Manila.  It was just last August when Holiday and Hunter took their Primary School entrance exams.  I just want to say that when we came home last year, the boys didn't know anything. I mean, they don't know how to read and to write properly.  I don't really know how we will be able to pass the exams.  And so, days before the scheduled exam at Lourdes School in QC, I started  teaching them to write their names properly, review the alphabet and numbers, colors, shapes and everything under the sun. Their first exam was a disaster! The examiner said that since they both don't know how to read yet, they will be tested for entrance to Kinder and not for Grade 1. Imagine my dismay. How can they expect 5 year olds to read the instructions and follow accordingly.  I guess, when the K2-12 program was implemented, they did not adjust their tests to fit the age of the students.  As I would put it, they were lazy! Lazy because they still gave the exam that was supposed to be given for the old grade 1 curriculum.  We left with a heavy heart and promised not to go back to that school again no matter what the result may be.  You can just see the shock on my kids faces.  That was an awful day.

    Review, review, and teach new things.  I got hold of a lot of age appropriate preschool activity books to use as a guide.  Then came the time to take the test at Ateneo.  Ooooh...daddy's big school is coming up.  I think I was more nervous than them.  I think we are more prepared this time.  And so after having some photos taken, we proceeded to the testing area near the Child Development Center.
While waiting for the boys to finish, I had an interesting chat with one of the moms.  Apparently, in the school where her son is studying, they have a review class for those who will take the AGS exam.  Most of the things she said was spot on. Even the jellyace-thank you test.  Doesn't it seem unfair, that some kids already knew what to expect during the test and were prepped to respond appropriately.  Deep breath.  I just hoped that the boys did well.

The last exam they had was at Lasalle Greenhills.  By this time, the boys were more confident and
more equipped to take the test.  Of all the schools, the boys are more pleased with their experience here.  I guess I could say the same.  The students and personnel were more friendly and respectful.  That's just my opinion.  Anyway, Holiday and Hunter came out happy during that exam and that's all that really matters.

The waiting game has started.  What a long and grueling time.  When the test results came out one by one, the choosing part became the hardest thing.  What we decide now will affect them in a huge way.  These are the formative years afterall. The most important and influential part of their young lives.  It was a hard decision.  Do we take the easy way and just let the kids have little difficulties so as not to add to the stress of being away from their dad or do we go for the winding road and let the kids overcome whatever hurdles that come their way? We eventually decided to take the latter. That's just us.  We don't always have it easy.  Whatever we have, we have to work hard for.  Perseverance and hard work are the things we wish to teach them. The school we chose...Ateneo! Their daddy was beyond happy.  He got his own blue eaglets to take care of.  We are thankful.