My DD starts Kindergarten in Feb (we live in Australia, so school year starts then) and I am so confused about which school to enrol her in. At home she is loud and pretty confident, but with other kids she is often socially very awkward, anxious and hesitant. She has a couple friends at preschool, but generally doesn't want to go. I have watched her with the other kids, and she finds it hard to initiate play with them. With her cousins and slightly older or much younger kids she is fine. She is quite bright academically.
The main choice is between School 1 = 100 kids in kinder (20 per class) and 580 in the school. Small school grounds (no real grassed area). Good academically. A couple of her preschool friends will go there (we can request she be in a class with a particular one child too). Seems to have the better reputation in the area, but our preschool teachers feel it has 'outgrown itself' and is too big and impersonal now. Offers lots of activities.
School 2= 40 kids in kinder (20 per class) and 180 in school. Relatively larger school grounds with a grassed area. Less good academically. None of her preschool friends will go there. Have been very welcoming during enrollment process and preschool teachers seem to like the school/staff there. Offers less activities.
My gut feeling is the smaller school will suit her better, even though both schools have individual classes of 20, when she goes out at recess and lunch then it may be easier with fewer kids running around and not be so overwhelming. Everyone seems to know everyone too, perhaps it's more of a community feel. But at the bigger school, she will know a few kids, so that may help her settle in faster. A few parents have also said they prefer bigger schools for their 'awkward kids' since if they don't get on well with a particular group of kids, there are so many other kids for them to 'choose from' to be friends with, but at small schools, they may have fewer options if left out. I just feel so torn and cannot make up my mind.
Has anyone been through a similar decision?! What did you decide and why? And how did your child adjust?
The main choice is between School 1 = 100 kids in kinder (20 per class) and 580 in the school. Small school grounds (no real grassed area). Good academically. A couple of her preschool friends will go there (we can request she be in a class with a particular one child too). Seems to have the better reputation in the area, but our preschool teachers feel it has 'outgrown itself' and is too big and impersonal now. Offers lots of activities.
School 2= 40 kids in kinder (20 per class) and 180 in school. Relatively larger school grounds with a grassed area. Less good academically. None of her preschool friends will go there. Have been very welcoming during enrollment process and preschool teachers seem to like the school/staff there. Offers less activities.
My gut feeling is the smaller school will suit her better, even though both schools have individual classes of 20, when she goes out at recess and lunch then it may be easier with fewer kids running around and not be so overwhelming. Everyone seems to know everyone too, perhaps it's more of a community feel. But at the bigger school, she will know a few kids, so that may help her settle in faster. A few parents have also said they prefer bigger schools for their 'awkward kids' since if they don't get on well with a particular group of kids, there are so many other kids for them to 'choose from' to be friends with, but at small schools, they may have fewer options if left out. I just feel so torn and cannot make up my mind.
Has anyone been through a similar decision?! What did you decide and why? And how did your child adjust?
