Empress4, Here is a suggestion. I think the Schools in San Pedro are probably fine but there are also other alternatives. We lived in the Eastern Caribbean for 5 years and home schooled our children through the Calvert system. Computers where not popular then and it should be much easier to do today.

It didn't require as much time as you might think but I guess that would depend on their ages. We held school every week day from 8 to 12. Calvert supplied everything we needed although most people supplement some. We had no trouble at all when we returned to the States and the kids did fine. They fit right in with other kids when we returned. As a matter of fact they probably slipped back a little academically to the mean. Today the oldest is studying for his master's degree in Engineering from a top notch college, while holding a very good position in a large company and his sister is in her senior year in another fine college.

Find another excuse not to follow your dream, there are plenty. You just have to say to yourself that you will over come any difficulties and move forward. Good luck.

There are plenty of home school programs available these days - but childhood is the time when kids need to learn social skills and independence too. This tends to come with interaction with peers, community members of authority, sports coaches etc.

The Greenthumb kids are very young, they will be fine when it comes to schooling and settling in easily and making friends. The move is much tougher on the parents.

There are tons of Belizean educated people that have gone on to seek further education worldwide - and returned with masters degrees.

The education here is sound and adequate to contend with schools in other nations - however application of the child to his studies is a huge factor in the level of education the child will walk away with.

Well put Harriette! San Pedro can be a revolving door for some people.

Thanks everyone,
This really helps us and I cannot wait to get down there to see if all I feel is right and this works for us!!
Nick

Yea, I doubt I would homeschool. I am pretty smart but I cannot keep myself on task, and I think that would happen if I homeschooled. And I agree with Amanda that it is a time of socialization.

Amanda,

I agree with just about every word you said. I was just suggesting an alternative to ease Mrs. Greenthumb's mind. I'm sure that your school system is fine and produces great kids.

In our case we couldn't settle in because we where moving from Island to Island so Home Schooling was the only way to go. I've heard the bit about social skills but I'm not sure if that is true. We met a lot of families while we where doing this, some of which we are still in touch with. I know of none of these kids who had problems adjusting to other kids because they are around other kids and adults, just not at school with them. We know long term "home schoolers" whose kids never went to a formal school until college and had no problem.

Personally if I had younger kids and was moving to San Pedro with them, I would not hesitate to put them in the school system that exists. In a few of the Islands I put our kids in school for a week or two, so they could get the experience. They where not formally enrolled but it worked out fine. In Trinidad we had them in a local private school for a few months and our kids still talk about that in a positive way. Field trips and other activities, like having the kids near us put on a play at Christmas time rounded out their studies. In short I see little down side to Home Schooling if this is what the parents chose.

The largest determent to schooling young children, in my opinion, is TV. We did not have a TV (in those years) and our kids where reading books at 5-6 years old. How you separate them from a TV set, now a day, is another matter. Mrs. Greenthumb is just concerned with the fear of change and needs some reassurance.

Is there a better time to move down there? Is it better during the slow times of the year for tourism?
Does anyone have a car? We have tossed around bringing down my old one just because it isn't worth a whole bunch to have to pay a duty on.
Is there any obscure fun things to do there? (I know about the diving, night life and jungle tours)
Just trying to think of more questions... tomorrow is going to be in the single digits F here and I just want to wrap myself in a blanket!

With temps in the single digits I'd say NOW is great time to move down there. However, I also agree with all of the others that say to do your research first. I Live in Minnesota and would love to be in SP instead, but can't feasibly work it out either monetarily or due to personal responsibilities that hold me back.

As far as cars, yes there are a few cars on the island. Most travel using bike, golf cart or by walking. There are also taxi's for the occasional "need" to make a longer trip. Many people consider cars to be unnecessary.

With regard to other things to do: There are so many ways to get involved in the community that you could keep yourself in perpetual motion and totally occupied. With that, the social life, the diving, fishing and boating, dining, mainland trips...and the list continues, you should not get bored easily.

btw, she would be someone to get to know - in my opinion. She would give you straight up answers.

Good luck!

Thanks terrielinn,
Ya, today we woke up to a balmy -7F with a high today of -3F and wind-chill of -25 to -35F. The reason we ask about a cars is for the reason of maybe traveling to Mexico or other longer distances. I do believe that for the most part I would probably travel by Bike or walk locally and golf cart either end or other side of Island. As for things to do, know drought that there are many wonderful things there, but there are also many wonderful things here to and we do not get out and do them, so I definitely think that slow as you go and it will get done is a great mineset.
Nick

Are you aware that you can't drive to Mexico from Ambergris Caye? You also have to have a permit to bring a car to the island and it's highly unlikely that you could get said permit until you have permanent resident status...which takes at least a year.