No one school is perfect for all

Registration forms for the next school year are already starting to come home. For many parents -- especially those of soon-to-be kindergartners -- this can be the defining moment. How will they educate their kids?

There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to education. For many, the choice of which school their child attends is dictated by boundaries or religion. Others go for a more naturalistic approach with homeschooling or Montessori.

Connie Leturno, of Plainfield, has three children ages 10, 8, and 5. Homeschooling was always the plan. "I wanted my kids to learn at their own pace, and in what way works best for them."

Leturno said that when she started five years ago, there was a lot of information for homeschooling kids in third grade and up, but none she could find to help her with her kindergartner. So Leturno got together with a few other families that were planning to homeschool and started The Great Explorers Homeschool Group. Leturno described the group as a clearinghouse for information helpful to homeschoolers, but quickly added "it is more than that; we plan outings and have a parent support group that meets one Saturday a month."

If you are thinking of homeschooling, Leturno will be teaching "Introduction to Homeschooling" at Joliet Junior College on June 24. "It is a three-hour boot camp for parents who want to homeschool," says Leturno, "a way to learn more about it." For more information or to register, contact the college or e-mail Leturno at theleturnos@yahoo.com.

If public schooling is not for you and you don't have the desire to homeschool, Montessori may be the way to go. Montessori education is known for its multi-aged classrooms and how it builds on a student's interest rather than using a forced curriculum. The idea behind Montessori is to cultivate a child's own natural desire to learn.

"The frustration of traditional school has been minimalized," said Jan Novotny, head of school at Joliet Montessori. "The traditional schools try to get a whole group of children to work at the same level. This doesn't work because some students are two years behind, where others may be three years above. What is different about Montessori schools is that every student works at their own level."

Kids are grouped by ability age -- kids ages 3-6, 6-9 and 9-12. The older kids help the younger ones. Accountability starts at age 3. Kids will work with glass, knives, and scissors. They learn right away how to handle these objects safely. They learn that if they drop something made of glass, it will break and they will have to sweep it up, not leave it for a janitor.

While there are educational expectations at the different levels, the teachers act more as guides than lecturers, encouraging the students to explore on their own.

Joliet Montessori School is celebrating its 42nd year. There are 155 students enrolled, ranging in age from 3 to 14. For more information, call (815) 741-4180.

Jean Dunning writes about kid friendly groups, activities, and events. She can be reached at storiesbyjd@sbcglobal.net.