My son just started 7th grade here in Hawaii (year 8 over there) and I am in shock of how much stress the teachers are already putting on him. He is a bright kid who used to love school but now it is all about stress. I also heard stories of kids one year older already having to do 3-4 hours of homework every day. His school day is from 0730 to 2:40 with not even one recess, just 1/2 hour for eating lunch but no time to play! I did not grow up in the US so for me this is crazy. We are moving to Wellington in December, and I am really hoping that kids can be kids there. Any of you with kids in intermediate /college cann tell me if indeed life will be much less stressful there for my kids?
Thank you.