What Kids Pay for a Good Education

This post in sorts goes hand in hand with the one I wrote in Sept (below) about Education and expectations of our children.  I'll try not to repeat what's below so if this gets a little confusing be sure to read that one!  In just the past few months, my son has had to drop out of the City School District Marching Band, a choice he made because he had too many activities going on and needed more time to dedicate to more school work.  Then just last week he made the choice, after consulting his school counselor, Academy Director, and me and his dad, he dropped the school Symphonic Band.  I hated to see this as he has been in band 6 years.  He made the argument that he needed to drop that class in order to pick up a free period to seek out tutoring assistance with some courses he's having trouble in.  Who can deny a kid with this kind of argument?  Now, about the courses he's seeking help for?  Well, these are college credit courses he is taking while in his Sophmore year in High School.  During the investigation of his High School Credits in order to drop his band we find out that he is credit wise, actually a Junior.  (Mind you that there are ALOT of students like Cody, not only in Albany High but everywhere).  Cody fears that as more time passes, more activities he will have to give up, this is where the conversation began that he may drop football his Senior year.  Cody has loved his sports since he has began, and they have tremendously helped him in many ways. It is my belief that his sports has encouraged him to hang around more encouraging, goal oriented peers thus keeping him out of situations he could have very well been involved,  sports has helped him physically giving him the opportunity to obtain the workouts he needs, given him discipline, and balance so that he is not a student that is buried only in school work only to get burned out before finishing his higher education.  These extra curricular activities not only provide entertainment for our children, but life long lessons and friendships.  Having to drop them one by one to ensure educational goals and expectations are reached, are making me wonder, is it really worth pushing our kids so fast?  I'm not against Education, but I am starting to become against the price kids are paying for it.

(This was originally posted on 12-9-10)