Vetting Elementary Schools

[Flynn]

Do all the research you can online and call people! Many schools have parent lists so you can talk to someone who has kids at that particular school. From parents I wanted to know the vibe of the school, how issues were resolved, if there was parental support, can they fund raise easily...stuff like that. I talked to the educators about curriculum, test scores, behavior rules, etc. If you are looking at public schools check to see if that area passes their levys or whatever they call it there.

Keep in mind that there is NO perfect school. We traded a higher student teacher ratio for more educated teachers and a school that infused Science into the curriculum for at least 45 minutes every day. Keep a wish list and start researching. Many schools might have perks you hadn't thought of and also some downsides as well.

Get the stats on each school however you can and then TOUR!!!! There is no substitute for walking the halls, peeking your head into a classroom and having face time with an administrator and/or a teacher. The different vibes you will get are shocking! Don't be put off by schools that only do tours at certain times. That may work best for their learning environment -- still GO !!!! I thought twice I had schools picked out before the tours. I was SO WRONG! At one seemingly amazing school the principal made reference to how their tests scores coincided with how "white" their student body was. My husband still tells that story and cracks up because apparently I looked horrified and like I wanted to slug him at the same time.

There is no substitute for walking the halls and looking someone in the eye who will be in charge of your child.

[ladymoreta]

I don't know much about it, but I believe Belle Isle Enterprise School is a charter school. I also don't know what grades they offer.

Once he gets into middle school, look into Classen School of Advanced Studies. If he and you are up for it, OSSM is free for junior and senior year of high school, but he has to apply and live on campus.

[spotty_dog]

I'm told that the #1 factor in student success over the long run isn't the quality of the school or of the teachers, but the amount of parental involvement in the student's educational process. I don't have the studies at my fingertips, but I could get them...anyway, that about sums up how I feel about schools. I didn't fret too much when it was time for DS to go to kindergarten. We followed the path of least resistance, and he went to the public school he's zoned for. He's enjoying it, but wishes there were more math and science -- so we do more math and science at home. If it stops working out or if it's a bad fit for DD, we'll reassess. Most importantly, we know what's up for them both day to day. I'm close with both the teachers and can talk to them and trust them to talk to me if there's anything I need a heads-up on. I work in the preschool classroom almost weekly, and I'll be starting an every other week schedule of working in the kindergarten classroom soon.

Also, I agree with oceanschild that test scores should be only a small portion of the information you use to judge a school.

[ides]

SD I think your right about parent involvement. I know for certain that at least two of the high ranking elementary schools have a lot of parent involvement. One requires 100 hours of volunteer time per year.

I found the charter schools. I need to dig more but it appears there are two elementary charter schools. Both seem good but I've only given them a cursery look. There seems to be several junior high & high schools.

[HouseofWool]

I love our charter school (almost as much as DCJenn loves hers). Ours is called School of Technology and Arts. While I haven't seen much of the tech side, I am very happy with the Arts side. C isn't very comfortable with performing arts b/c of his anxiety. But, he is making great strides with this because public performance is required at school. I figure it is important for him to get used to this sort of thing now, before he lets his fears overwhelm him and it hinders his ability to function in the real world, like it did his dad.

[Pollyanna]

I agree with all the advice you've been given. Choosing a school is so child/family/situation dependent. The factors that were important to us after our move wouldn't likely been on most people's radar. We wanted a K-8 Catholic school that had great parental involvement but didn't require volunteer hours. We wanted the school to be located in so dh could be involved in pick up/drop off and extracurriculars if his schedule permitted. It was important that the school be a close knit community but welcoming to newcomers at the same time. We wanted convinced Catholicism, not Catholic in name only. Academically we didn't want homework for homework sake like you find in lots of parochial schools. We wanted the school to be able to handle children who are fast learners as well as slow learners, not just the average. And we wanted the school to offer band. In the end we found the perfect school for our family. We could have gone public k-8 like we have in the past but then dh would never get to have any involvement with the kiddos school and for us that factor alone is so huge we are willing to pay private tuition for it. At the same time, you should always be willing to reasses your school choice and even be willing to put different children in different schools. Good luck in your search!!

[SuzySunshine]

Just went o the Open House for the Catholic school for our parish. The Kindergarten only has 19 spots for all day and 36 for half day. My understanding is that most full day spots will go to siblings because they have priority. I didn't know what to ask, what to say and I'm tempted to send A to the public school which has full day if she doesn't get into full day here but the. I worry whether she'll get back in for 1st grade because there only seem to be 48 spots for that. Or do I bite the bullet and send her half day so that R has a better chance for a full day?? UGH!!

[v-girl]

My girls did full day at Catholic school. I think a half day would have been enough for Kindergarten. An hour of their day was nap/quiet time. Friday mornings they spent 1.5 hours for Mass (that included the teachers and aides getting 40 Kindergarteners to Mass, settled down, then back to class afterwards and settled into their day).

[SuzySunshine]

I need to talk to my friend that teaches the Catechesis because what I don't understand is where they get the religion in the curriculum for a half day, in the full day class it's in the afternoon and the afternoon teacher told me that the morning are the same in both classes.

[v-girl]

I would find out what the daily schedule is for both full day and half day. I prefer not to have to do a separate CCD class. I like efficiency.

[SuzySunshine]

Resurrecting this thread because I'm struggling with school choice again.

There is a school here that is private/expensive and very good - I love their theory, I wanted to send the kids there this year but DH balked at the cost. Now that he's been in his job almost a year he's met some other parents that send their kids there and he's coming around.

Its not that I think our current school isn't good - so far its been great for A but this a school they could go to through graduation, that is one thing. The other I've heard over and over again is "its cool to be smart here" as bad as it sounds I worry about this for R - he's 3 and uses words that blow me away daily. He's not getting that from me so I know he's inherently smart.

Here is my issue - changing A's school AGAIN! would be the 4th school in 4 years. All of her friends here are through her school (except 1) and I know she's only 5 but I worry about doing that to her again - unfounded? She's so very social!

I've also thought about leaving the kids where they are for another year and giving the elementary school a chance (at this point we've only done preschool and I'm told the elementary is better) but at the same time this school only increases spots at certain years and while R would probably have a good chance of getting in next year its hard to say if there would be a spot for A. Their enrollment is technically done for next Fall but they still have spots in both classes at this time...

I just don't know what to do - how do you know how your kids learns at the age of 5 & 3? How do you know what is the best for them? UGH!

[diggitydot]

Our kids have been in 5 different school districts and the one thing I've learned over the years is that if the opportunity for a good or great school comes along, JUMP AT IT. It's much easier for kids to adapt (and they will, quickly) when they are in a more supportive environment.

Our oldest had to switch high schools between her sophomore and junior year. The new school is ah-mazing and she loves it far more than her last school. And her last school was pretty great, too.

I would err on the side of the better school or better fit.

[Pollyanna]

I would err on the side of the better school or better fit.

Yes this!

[HouseofWool]

I would move them too. C has been in 3 different elementary school. He adapts well. Given that A is social, that is a plus. She will make new friends easily at the new school too.

[scrub-jay]

As for friends...yours kiddos will have at least one more in a few months.