I often notcie in Puerto Rico how life will soon be in the US according to the progressive plans of the government and their programs. I understand what the medical system will turn into, the neighborhoods, and today it was hit me in the face (and the wallet) the elimination of Public School.
When I was student teaching a teacher said that her father, 20 years before saw the end of public school. I've ALWAYS had the desire to home school. I still do. However, for some silly reason I wanted my kids to experience the Enchanted Island of Puerto Rico, and be apart of it. I want them to have the chance to meet native friends and learn Spanish. No matter how many books I bought to teach Spanish and culture I just wouldn't do it well enough. We also can't afford tons of social activities or desired home school curriculum while we are living off student loans. With a primary size of only 9 kids socializing will be limited. There is also one library and you aren't allowed to take books home from it. WEIRD!! So, all the things I leaned on for a healthy schooling interaction for my kids is suddenly a little more challenging here in Puerto Rico.
I've been told several times you can't send your English speaking white kid to public school in Puerto Rico. First of all, its probably 90% of the public school kids are from really poor government housing families. Which I don't judge those children but it just brings down the standard of learning. Americans who have sent their children to public schools have told me that when they return to the states their children are 2 or 3 grade levels behind. The school usually do not have air conditioning. They don't have their have school books provided and since they aren't allowed to require the parents to buy books they don't have books. They don't have pull out programs for children who don't speak Spanish. They don't have substitute programs. If the teacher is sick, school is canceled. My friend couldn't even talk to her child's teacher or any faculty member because nobody spoke English. Which is odd for a Island that studies English from Kindergarten, I talk in English to 9 out of 10 people I meet in a day. Who is running these schools?
It's probably grater than 75% of the children on the island attend Private Schools. We figured if I can work in Private school and be able to afford three tuition's and a little extra in our time of need, we could all have a grand new experience here on the island. I interviewed at a few schools, very expensive and quality Private schools. Tuition averaged $1,000 a month. However, those schools were offering first year teachers 16K/yr. 16,000!!!! I about had a heart attack when she told me. That was about $8-$10/hr for a 40 hour -10 month contract. Why the heck did I pay for an education? Those public schools that are also offered so little pay make $10,000 more than these grand private schools. Private schools can just pay their teachers less, even though there are SO many private schools on the island, and SO many children attending. I mean SO many! With that income and the little tuition discount they were offering for the 1st year I could never afford it.
I found a Montessori school that caught my attention. It was from 2 years old- 6th grade. The only school I applied to where all my kids could attend and I wouldn't have to find a daycare for the baby. I make less than $10/hr and I only work 30 hours instead of 40. However, the tuition discount for my kids was greater, and I can afford it from what they are paying. Although it takes most of my income to pay for tuition, hopefully after the first 3 probationary months I can get a greater discount or a raise. Private schools, have a hard time keeping their teachers because Public School administrators offer them more money and steal them last minute from the mini privates. That won't happen to me because we are in a perfect situation and I don't speak much Spanish.
I choose the Montessori School because I love Montessori. I am excited to teach and for my children to attend. It is a very small school. One class for each grade level. I was happy to get the discount so we can attend school this year but there is NO WAY I could do it the way everyone else does on the island. There is NO wonder why Puerto Ricans limit themselves to 1 or 2 kids. You really CANNOT afford any more. The government plans it that way.
I paid a few hundred for enrollment, and a few hundred for supplies. Then today I went to book store, because you have to buy your own books. My Transition to Practical Life student has 2 books, my Practical Life student has 9 books/ workbooks, and my Kindergartener has 10 books/ workbooks. They are all paperback, and I could only buy them NEW. Most students have to buy a $45 rolling backpack like the Zuca (which they sell them online for $140, odd). Students NEED rolling backpacks because they have so many books to bring with them everyday, and no where to store them at their desks or miniture classrooms.
It is a blessing that I only have Pre-K's and Kindergarten because there is no way I could afford books otherwise. Our 3 grade level of books came to $533 (tax free). With my 10% teacher discount it was just less than $500. I asked the lady behind me what she pays. She said her daughter is in 7th grade and books are $800 this year. The cashier told me I was only paying $500, and that's cheap! "CHEAP!!??" He explained that two children middle school and up would easily pay $1200- $1500 for books a year. I was honestly AMAZED!! I know that we have an unusually high rent and I'm sure it'd be different if we were natives, but most everyone else pays about $500-600 in rent. Still how can they afford SO MUCH in school supplies, books, tuition, and uniforms, and go shopping at the mall every weekend. I don't get it.
These Private schools have created monopolies in P.R. I could only get my books from one book store. I could try to order some online but shipping to P.R. is very expensive and who knows if I was actually getting the right books. I also can ONLY get the uniforms at ONE store. I thought I could get some hand me down pants.. NOPE, because even the pants have a label stitched to the side. I can only buy the uniform at one place. A white (YES WHITE!! ugh!) polo with their label was $16. INSANE!! Then I need pants and P.E. shirt and P.E pants. I got each kid one set of P.E. clothes, and 1 pair or pants and 2 polos for now. That was $250 with my discount. I know that doesn't sound like much when it comes to buying school clothes. BUT WOW!! The lady in front of my had one child and he had 5 pants, and 6 or 7 polos, a few pairs of gym clothes. Their total was $688. Imagine that times 3. Just another reason I want my kids to study in their PJ's..:)
Well, I'm SO broke, I'm so grateful for helping hearts who donated to my children s school funds this year.
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