length of day for a first grader

[JoyAnne]

My son starts next week at our little initiative here in Palm Beach County, Sea Star.

His schedule will be from 8:30 to 2 for six weeks, and then 8:30 to 3.

That sounds so long to me!!

I am interested in the experience of others- do your six year olds have such a long day?

Thanks so much!!

[WednesdayO]

DD's school goes 8:30-3:15 in 1st grade (through 4th). Grades 5-8 go 8:15-3:15, and high school goes 8:10-3:15.

[MamaSeasons]

My 6 yr old is in his final year in Waldorf Kindy, which goes from 9-1 3 days per week, but the first graders also go from 9-1 also (5 days per week) through 8th grade. I like that, in fact I'd probably opt out and just homeschool if the kids had to be outside the home in school any longer than that!

[crowcaw]

Our first graders go 8:15 - 1:45 M-W, F, early dismissal for entire school at 12:30 on Thursday.  Rest of the grades go until 2:30 M-W,F

[Nan411]

dd is starting 1st grade in a week and will be goin from 8:45-2:45

[DariusMom]

DS didn't go to 1st grade at the Waldorf (started mid-way through 2nd) but the 1st graders at his school (in the Netherlands) go 8:20 AM to 1:00 PM every day except Tuesdays (I think) when they go for a normal day -- til 2:45 PM.

In 2nd Grade they go 8:20 AM-1:00 PM Mon., Wed., Fri. and 8:20 AM- 2:45 PM Tues and Thurs.

Now, in 3rd grade, they go 8:20 AM- 2:45 PM every day except Wed., which is early dismissal for the whole school at 1:00 PM.

Basically, they work their way up to "normal" school hours and ease into it so that by the time they're in 3rd grade, they're going full days except for Wed., which is a short day national-wide for all schools.

[JoyAnne]

thanks very much for your replies. I sent a note to the teachers asking about what I think is quite a long day- and asking if the schedule included rest time or free time.

[WednesdayO]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoyAnne 

thanks very much for your replies. I sent a note to the teachers asking about what I think is quite a long day- and asking if the schedule included rest time or free time.

Oh, I should have added that although DD's 1st grade day runs 8:30-3:15, they do have rest time and free play times.

[wish]

My dd goes from 8 am (though they like you there at 7:45) until 2 or 3 depending on the day. On Tues and thurs there is the option of getting out at 1pm. Unfortunately we both work and she will be in the aftercare program until 5pm somedays.  I think it's an incredibly long day for her, but we have to work. I'm just trying to remember that I couldn't love another place more than our own home for her to be on these long days.  I certainly could not afford her Waldorf education without my job, so I guess it's part of the trade off for us.

[Melaniee]

I have seen both 1/2 and full day at that age. I think one factor would be how many specialty classes the school offers that grade.  ETA: And my first grader did come home exhausted for several weeks if not months. We just made sure not to have anything planned afterschool and include some quiet time.

[WednesdayO]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melaniee 

I have seen both 1/2 and full day at that age. I think one factor would be how many specialty classes the school offers that grade. 

That's a good point. DD's school offers German, Spanish, and Handwork. They also have Music, Movement, and Form Drawing as part of their regular classroom.... all the typical Waldorf stuff.
 

[Melaniee]

Originally Posted by WednesdayO 

Quote:

That's a good point. DD's school offers German, Spanish, and Handwork. They also have Music, Movement, and Form Drawing as part of their regular classroom.... all the typical Waldorf stuff.
 

I have seen schools offer one or two foreign languages, music with the main lesson teacher, or a separate music class. That is what I was trying to say...so that would be a difference, right there, of two extra classes and likely four extra class periods. Then you also have gardening (or not), etc. etc. 

And, I understand it sounding long, I feel the same way, sometimes, others, notsomuch. ;)

[Rik-E]

My oldest attends a waldorf style charter school. First through eighth grades are all from 8:30 to 3:00. Kindergarten is from 8:30 - 12:30.