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[quote=Anonymous]OP- I can give you my perspective because I was a competitive figure skater myself (many years ago).  I didn't go that far in singles, but I was on a national championship synchronized skating team in college. I went to public schools in the imdwest.  My parents told me they could afford private high school, or figure skating but not both. We never considered home-schooling because I frankly wasn't talented enough to need complete freedom from school hours it at that point.

I think it's ridiculous that public schools are so inflexible for highly competitive students.  For example my public high school in the late 1990's would not waive or moderate the 1 year PE requirement for me although I was doing competitive figure skating daily for multiple hours, along with weights, dance etc. I was an IB Honors student as well. There should be some middle ground to incoroporate high-level sports, outside of complete home-schooling.  Some districts in the country allow for half-day or some online classes, but not sure about this area or Arlington County.  A number of competitive figure skaters nationwide do full-time "online school" which you might want to look into.  This is different from home-schooling because you have remote teachers online.  I believe the most competitive skaters in Colorado Springs, for example, do this.

I would say to first talk to any families at your rink who are in Arlington County schools to see what they know.  Then talk to your principal if there is a reason for specific absences, IE, can we leave 20 minutes early so she can get to a private lesson with her coach (which is not available at a later time)- but be prepared to explain, why he/she could miss something without an academic impact.  (This becomes easier in middle/high school when you have potentially open/free-floating periods). Elementary is trickier.  By high school I was able to arrive late and leave early (30-40 minutes on both sides) for practices, without any negative impact to my honors classes, requirements etc.  It helped that I had an ally in the front office who also had a daughter who skated.  But to work around high school hours, even arriving late, I would have to do 5-7am morning sessions, get to school by 8am or so.  Then leave school at 1:30 (instead of 2:20) to make a 2pm start for afternoon sessions.

Big picture on figure skating- I would be careful about pushing your daughter/son at this age.  I saw so many kids burn out by early high school after spending most of their childhood skating.  In my opinion, keeping it light/loose in elementary is better and they can ramp up as they get to be 11/12 assuming it is their own motivation, and not yours.  Now obviously there are some prodigies who are truly excelling in elementary, but it's sort of the exception.  The two groups of kids I saw in skating, were 1) kids who spent elementary and middle school in skating and burned out in early high school, or 2) those who started later in elementary and early middle school who continued strong through high school and even college.  Just keep in mind that staying in for the long-run is kind of rare.

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