#24 - Alex's School

When we decided to move to Spain we lamented over what would be the right education choice for Alex.  He was 12, in middle school, spoke next to no Spanish, had an outgoing personality, and desired for Spain to feel like home.   We considered Evangelical Christian Academy (the English speaking school where Hannah attended), public schools, online school, and traditional homeschooling.  Alex wanted to learn Spanish and felt like public school was the best choice.  After a lot of prayer, counsel, and investigation, we decided to give it a try.

I.E.S. Juan de Padilla - Alex's School
 

His first year in Spain he was in a class for students who did not speak Spanish.  Eventually he transitioned into the regular classroom. Then this summer we moved to Illescas and he started the 8th grade (known as 2nd ESO here) in a new school.  We were blessed with a place in the European Sections Program (a program for students who are desiring to learn English and can advance at a little more challenging pace).  There was one down side, this program has a specific track, which includes learning French.  And, unfortunately, this program started in 7th grade (1st ESO) with first year French and all the students were in 2nd year French this year.

We decided Alex would see if he could survive in 2nd year French, without 1st year, as well as keep up the advanced pace in all the other classes.  He has done better than I could ever imagine, but a 3rd language in one year was just too much.  So this week, we started talking with the school about options.

When we chose Spanish public schools we were told all kinds of stories about the schools being closed to parents and the teachers and administrators being closed to modifications.  Yet, we have had a better experience than we could have imagined.  And this week, I was reminded as to how blessed we really are.  When I met with the principal (different title here, but same position - although here the administrators also teach a few classes a week) I knew I was not asking for something simple and yet I prayed that we could come to a solution that was best for Alex, regardless of the "rumors" of what to expect in Spanish schools.  And indeed - I was blessed.  Ana (teachers and administrators go by their first names) said to me "while this is unusual and has the potential to cause some problems for us, a change is what is best for the Alex."

Monday, Alex will no longer have French.  He will start in an alternate class.  It's not an easy change for the school and yet, they are willing to do it because it is best for Alex.  I recognize that this is not something that happens everyday in Spain, or in the US for that matter, but God has heard our prayers and our hearts has answered.  I left the school feeling a lot lighter than before, a burden being lifted.  I do not take this situation for granted and I extremely grateful.