Tell us what you love about your school!

[Heavenly]

This is just a little thread for everyone to list the things they love about their child's school!

My older two children go to a private Christian school. My oldest is in Grade 2 and my younger is in Grade 1. There are so many things I love about their school!

1. It is really small. There are only 60 students in the whole school and that is from grades JK-8. All the grades are split grades and there are only 12 kids in their class (including them - they are in the same class split 1/2).

2. It is a Christian environment, which fits with our beliefs. I love that they are learning things from the perspective that we would teach them. I love that they have worship service every Friday morning.

3. It is 15 minutes outside of the city on 6 acres of land. It is such a nice setting and they have so much space.

4. The principal is amazing. He is a Pastor/headmaster and he really, really loves the children. He is always out at recess and after school to play with and talk with the kids. All of the kids are always running up to him going, "Pastor K___, Pastor K___!!!" and giving him big hugs.

5. The parents are encouraged to be really involved in the school. It is really easy to get ahold of the teacher and discuss anything that needs to be discussed.

6. They accommodate my son's special needs. My son has bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder. At a public school they would be required to provide special services but because their school is a private school they don't have to do that. When we were talking about putting the kids in this school we met with the headmaster and told him about DS's issues and what kinds of special accommodations he would need. I gave them a two page document detailing everything that would need to be done and they took it and discussed it amongst the staff. Obviously they did decided to admit us and it has been an amazing experience. The teacher is really good at telling when DS is getting overwhelmed. If he is getting stressed about writing (he hates writing!) she will let him dictate the answers to her and she will write for him. If he needs to take a break he is allowed, no questions asked. There are other accommodations as well and I am so impressed that they are working so hard to allow him to be a part of this school.

7. They are very service-oriented. They do a lot of community service and fundraisers for different organizations like the Food Bank and Ride for Refugees.

8. We couldn't afford the whole tuition and even though they are a really new school (they are in their third year) and don't have any extra funding they secured funding for us through an anonymous (well, anonymous to us!) donor to cover what we couldn't afford.

There are many more things I love about their school but that's the main things. Please, feel free to add all the wonderful things about your child's school! :

[MattBronsil]

This is a great thread and I'm glad you found a great school. Can't wait to hear what others have to say.

[mata]

My daughters go to a public elementary school in SoCal.

I most love that they love it. They love their teachers, their friends, the work, their routines, etc. It is wonderful that they are so happy.

I also really like the teachers. They're so good to the students, and give so much of themselves.

[1xmom]

I also love the fact that my dd loves her school. She goes to a public elementary school. The teachers are hands on and really try their best to keep the parents informed.

[Amys1st]

We live in a suburb west of Chicago.

I love my dd's public school.

1.- When we moved into this house from across town, EVERYONE we talked to said, we would LOVE our elementary school. Literally every person went on and on about it.

2. When we were looking at this neighborhood, dd would be entering kindergarden that following fall. I emailed the school and the principal called me asap. She talked to me for several minutes as if I was the most important person. It really sealed the deal for moving to that house. She also gave me the info about all day kindergarden etc. Then she invited me to their annual round up for kids entering kindergarden. We went since we entered a contract on the house.

3. We were at the school about 2 days and realized, the principal knew our dds first name and she also knew just about every parent, neighbor etc. Knew most of the families.

4. Our school boundries are basically our neighborhood area so everyone is within walking distance. At least 5 kids on our block are in dd's class and it within walking distance. All the families close by are all friends.

5. We have soooo many parents who are active and involved. Also, we are a title one school meaning 1 in 5 kids has a poverty situation from some nearby housing. It seems with our high test scores and great teachers, it puts these kids in a great situation to thrive and do well in school.

6. Its a smaller school. 2 classes of about 19 kids per grade. Less than 250 kids

7. We walk to school everyday.

8. Availability of the teaching staff. Always happy to talk with you or work with you on anything.

[luciiesmommy]

My DD is in a private American school, it's a great school with a really cool program but as another poster said.
I love it becuase DD loves it.

[littleaugustbaby]

DD's school has a great ratio. They guarantee a 12:1 ratio, but in her class, it's about 8:1. She has 3 teachers (one main and 2 assistants) and she loves them all.

She loves her friends, and loves going to see them every day. Most days, she doesn't want to come home, because pick up time is right after playtime, and she wants to keep playing.

She has been at her school since preschool, so we get to see her preschool teachers (who we loved) every day. The staff at her school is also great, and knows each parent and child on a first name basis.

They have great programs - music, reading, science, art...and lots of outdoor time/nature walks.

Every Friday, one of the grandmothers of DD's classmate comes in and does cooking lessons with the kids. They always have a lot of fun!

They always do fun stuff for the kids. The school owns an inflatable bounce house, and each class gets a turn once a month. They have karaoke, dress-up days, puppet shows, and all sorts of fun activities. They also have a splash park that the kids can play in when it gets hot. DD's class gets to take a field trip once a month, and the kids love it so much.

We really just love it, all around!

[lisac77]

DS and I both really love his public school. The teachers are well-trained and motivated. The support staff is awesome. They get so many opportunities for different learning. DS has made friends, and is actually SAD when Saturday rolls around.

A couple of weeks ago I overslept (I work nights) and missed DS's pickup. I had left my cell phone in the other room, and I couldn't hear it when they called me. They took care of my DS until his dad came to get him, from over an hour away. It was traumatic for all of us, but the staff was so supportive and non-judgmental... they could have made it awful for all of us, but instead they made it all OK. It makes me really happy to be part of a school community, rather than just sending my kid to school.

[straighthaircurly]

I am so pleased with DS school. I have to admit I was very worried about the transition from a small private preschool where he spent hours outside each day on a nature preserve and a farm to being in a public K class But it has gone so well!

Here is some of what I love:

1) His teacher is amazing! She read every scrap of info I sent her about DS SPD and social challenges. She has kept me informed and asked my advice in situations that needed extra input. She has listened to DS whenever he has a concern. Some examples: DS hated the music playing during nap time (part of his sensory issues) so she made a little "fort" just outside the classroom door where he could take his nap (quieter and more contained space for him). They were playing a game with letter flashcards and the rules involved standing when the kids saw lowercase "a" and sitting when they saw uppercase "A". All the kids were following along except DS. She asked him to take a break from the game but when she saw that he was really upset about something she asked him to tell her the problem. He explained that the game made no sense and that the rules SHOULD be to stand with an uppercase "A" and sit for lowercase. She was very respectful and explained that his way made a lot of sense but that right now they were pretending to be detectives and find the lowercase "a".

2) The school is a public school and we have free bus service through our district but the school is actually a special integration district that draws kids from 10 school districts. The student body is very diverse and the school's focus is community cultures and environmental science. There is a strong emphasis on treating each other with respect and it is really working, the kids are so nice to each other in general.

3) The classes are single grade for math and literacy but mixed age (K/1, 2/3, 4/5) for all other subjects. DS will stay with the same teacher for K and 1st grade.

4) Year round schedule so no long summer break. Instead there are 3 breaks that are 3 weeks long (Nov., Feb., and May) and then 4 weeks off in August. That works really well for us because we spend February in Costa Rica and summer is our busy time at work.

5) Parent involvement is encouraged and well supported. I feel very welcome in the classroom and that is a MUST for me. I volunteer one afternoon a week at the school. The teacher also involved me a lot when she decided to set up a special science area for the students and was willing to allow me to bring in a tank of fish.

6) Class size is 23 which is not bad these days around here where public school classes often grow to 30 or more.

7) Lots of extra activities after hours (math carnival, night life evening outdoors, family picnic carnival, and tons more).

8) DS loves it! This is the best part. He loves his teacher, he has made a lot of friends, and is really starting to enjoy the structure. He feels supported and respected even when things don't go perfectly. And that is the most important thing I could ask for.

[Zach'smom]

We love our school! When we moved to Ohio we first decided on a school district and then found a house in the district we wanted to be in.

1) The school has an "open door" policy. Parents are welcome anytime. Everyday in the cafeteria you see parents eating lunch with their kids. The school loves volunteers. I am volunteering all the time. I know most of the kids, teachers and staff. I am going to school on Wednsday to do a special harvest craft with the kids.

2) Ds 's teacher is wonderful!! He is in first grade and reading is a huge thing this year. She is able to cater to each childs specific reading needs. There are also reading specialists that help the kids. Plus everyday there are parent volunteers for the kids to read to.

3) The classroom is warm and cozy!! There are so many books to read and cozy spots to read them. There are all different centers for different activities. They have a long morning in the classroom. 2 hour and 45 minutes before heading off to lunch and recess. The teacher keeps them moving around and always keeps them interested in what she is teaching. Ds LOVES her.

4) So far the teacher has never raised her voice!!!! His teacher last year was the same way. I think that maybe there is a no yelling policy? The teachers always keep their cool even when dealing with some very difficult kids. I love how warm and friendly she is.

5) The teacher always gets back to me quickly.

6) We have tons of wonderful programs during school and after school for the kids. Authors come to visit, singer/songwriter comes to write and record a cd with the kids, artist comes to work with the kids. There are special science, dance, art, etc. classes available after school. There are family nights every month.

7) The academic program is top-notch. Ds is learning at his own speed and so far hasn't said that he was bored.

I hear so many bad stories about ps, that I feel so grateful that we have been so happy with his schooling so far. The only thing I don't like about it is the fundraising, so we just write the PTA a check.