Guadalajara, Mexico Report of what it's like to live there - 05/29/14
Personal Experiences from Guadalajara, Mexico
School Name:
School Name: Home Schooling Resources
Background Information:
1. Are you the parent of a child(ren) attending this school? A teacher at the school? Or both?
Both.
2. What grade or grades do/did your children attend at the school? During what year(s) did they attend the school?
9th and 8th grades.
3. During what years were you affiliated with this school?
2013/14.
4. What was your reason for living in the city where the school is located (e.g., government, military, corporate, NGO, retired)?
Government.
5. Are other schools available to expatriates in this city? Why did you choose this particular school?
We chose to homeschool in Guadalajara because we weren't satisfied with the other high school options. There are many good things about the other schools, but since the Lincoln School has trouble teaching all its core high school subjects in English, and since the American school is not diverse at all, we thought homeschooling would be a better option. Also, it is a major advantage for us to homeschool through high school instead of putting our children in three different high schools.
Administration & School Procedures:
1. Describe the general climate of the grade level that you teach or your child attends:
We've chosen to use a combination of online classes, textbooks, and private tutors here in Guadalajara and it has worked well.
2. Please describe any problem areas or challenges in social interaction at the school:
We've been able to make homeschooling work socially by signing our kids up for classes and going on camping trips with expat and Mexican kids.
Academics & Resources:
1. Describe the physical education resources at the school. Is there a gym? A swimming pool? Are there playing fields or tennis courts available?
Our children have taken rock climbing (with the local university) and mountain biking classes for PE. There is a large family-oriented gym near our house where they have also done some activities. And it's easy to get outside here and do fun things, especially in the Bosque.
2. What fine arts electives are available (music, drama, visual arts)?
We haven't found a lot of outside classes in English for things like this, but we have many English-speaking tutors who come to our home for private lessons in Spanish, programming, and music classes.
Social & Emotional Well-Being:
1. Are there are any problems with exclusionary behavior, cliques, or bullying at this school? Please describe any problems your children may have experienced in this area.
Our children haven't felt excluded here because they homeschool.
Overall Impressions:
1. What is the greatest strength of this school?
The best thing about homeschooling in Guadalajara has been the availability of so many excellent, English-speaking tutors and all the fun activities our children have been able to participate in.
2. Greatest challenge?
It would be nice if there were other homeschooled high schoolers.
3. Would you choose this school again? Why?
Yes, this has been a good city to homeschool in and I don't regret our decision.
