DC wants to withdraw from magnet program

[Anonymous]

A month in the magnet program in 6th grade, DC wants to withdraw and go back to our home school...

Commute, curriculum, and homeworks are not the problems. The problems are the school environment. DC was bullied physically and verbally three times already. The noise level, dirty words, and screams in the gym, locker room, and cafeteria are a lot of stimulation. DC does not like the school, and didn't have much chance to make new friends with the busy schedule. DC understands the benefit of staying in the program, and admits the courses are great, but still wants to go back to our homeschool where is less crowded, less screaming, and friends are around.

I know it's too early to make decisions. I want to give DC more time to adjust, but want to ask around to see if anyone wants to share your or your friends' experience of withdrawing from the program. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I'm so sorry your child has been having troubles at her magnet school. Since she likes the classes, you might want to talk with the school counselor before you withdraw. The counselor might have some ideas on ways your child can find friends and integrate into the school.

I think it's great that you're being proactive on this and not letting it fester. I hope things get better soon for your daughter and that she finds happiness at whatever school she decides on.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely if he is not happy. Better to do it sooner than later.

[Anonymous]

Which magnet program?

[Anonymous]

Wouldn’t it be a new school if you returned to your old cluster? That MS might be as loud/chaotic too.

[Anonymous]

She was personally subject to things you described or are you describing general school environment??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm so sorry your child has been having troubles at her magnet school. Since she likes the classes, you might want to talk with the school counselor before you withdraw. The counselor might have some ideas on ways your child can find friends and integrate into the school.

I think it's great that you're being proactive on this and not letting it fester. I hope things get better soon for your daughter and that she finds happiness at whatever school she decides on.

Agree with this advice.
There are always a couple of students who leave typically at the end of 6th grade but if your child is miserable and knows she will be happier in her home school no need to wait. I wonder if it is worth having her spend a day shadowing in her home middle school if that can be arranged.
Please make sure the magnet coordinator and the Principal are aware of the situation for the sake of the other children in the school.
Also don’t let this experience dissuade her from considering a high school Magnet program. If she is accepted into one she can request to shadow a student for a few hours so she gets a sense of how stimulating, safe and well run the school is.
Good luck to your child

[Anonymous]

Dc has a friend who switched back to home school after a month. Was much happier there. I think the magnet simply wasn’t a good fit.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely go back. Your chIld is obviously capable at academics they should be in a place they feel safe and secure. Plenty of gifted kids at home schools.

[Anonymous]

I would suggest you do what you typically do when your child asks to quit something after one month. Important to keep your parenting style consistent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dc has a friend who switched back to home school after a month. Was much happier there. I think the magnet simply wasn’t a good fit.

DC also has a friend who left very quickly. Classes were fine but the commute was very long, very exhausting and missed old friends. Seems very happy back at home school. There are trade offs and everyone weighs them differently. It doesn't mean it wasn't a good "fit," just that the old school was a better fit.

[Anonymous]

Just make sure the home middle school isn’t also loud and filled with profanity. That is fairly common in middle schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A month in the magnet program in 6th grade, DC wants to withdraw and go back to our home school...

Commute, curriculum, and homeworks are not the problems. The problems are the school environment. DC was bullied physically and verbally three times already. The noise level, dirty words, and screams in the gym, locker room, and cafeteria are a lot of stimulation. DC does not like the school, and didn't have much chance to make new friends with the busy schedule. DC understands the benefit of staying in the program, and admits the courses are great, but still wants to go back to our homeschool where is less crowded, less screaming, and friends are around.

I know it's too early to make decisions. I want to give DC more time to adjust, but want to ask around to see if anyone wants to share your or your friends' experience of withdrawing from the program. Thanks.

Bullying aside, the rest just sounds like MS. Even much vaunted W-feeders. I suppose your child could end up at a unicorn where the students are quiet and don’t curse. However, mental health trumps all and an unhappy sixth grader needs an immediate fix. No one’s life was ever derailed by leaving a MS magnet. Plan an exit at the change of marking periods.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A month in the magnet program in 6th grade, DC wants to withdraw and go back to our home school...

Commute, curriculum, and homeworks are not the problems. The problems are the school environment. DC was bullied physically and verbally three times already. The noise level, dirty words, and screams in the gym, locker room, and cafeteria are a lot of stimulation. DC does not like the school, and didn't have much chance to make new friends with the busy schedule. DC understands the benefit of staying in the program, and admits the courses are great, but still wants to go back to our homeschool where is less crowded, less screaming, and friends are around.

I know it's too early to make decisions. I want to give DC more time to adjust, but want to ask around to see if anyone wants to share your or your friends' experience of withdrawing from the program. Thanks.

That's just basically middle school.

[Anonymous]

I have a sixth grader in a magnet too. If she were unhappy, there’s no way I would let her withdraw before the end of the first semester, and I would try to get her to finish sixth grade before making a final decision. I agree that your dc should see if he/she can visit classes in your home middle school before withdrawing from the magnet school, to see how it’s different. Lots of sixth graders are trying to sort out a whole new social hierarchy, and in the meantime, they’re making mean comments, cursing like crazy to feel more grown up, no longer friendly to former classmates, etc., while they figure out where they fit in. FWIW, I have twins and the one who attends our home school has been subjected to more mean behavior than my magnet kid has.