[sarahmae1]

My ds will be starting K in a couple of weeks. This past spring he had his Kindergarten screening and did well. I filled out an open enrollment form to try and get him into school "J" after touring the 5 elementary schools in my town. At the beginning of the summer, we were sent a letter stating that school "J" was full and that ds would be going to school "M", but that they would revisit the issue at the beginning of August and let us know if a spot opened up for him at school J. Well, today I get a call that yes now school J does have a spot for him... so I asked if I could think about it and let them know on Monday. The thing is, we have been preparing our ds to go to school "M" all summer. Him starting school is a HUGE deal to me, and now I'm just really confused as to whether we should send him to School J or School M. Here are the things that I am taking into consideration:

School J:
- It is a much newer building, and I like the way it is layed out. They also use more technology and up-to-date practices in this school.
- There is a bathroom right in the K classroom. (This is a biggy to me!)
- Seperate entrance for K students.
- Seems 'safer' (though we live in a very safe town as it is.)
- Have heard only good things about this school, everyone who has students there really likes it.
- DS's best friend from preschool would be in his class (I am also good friends with his mom).
~However, I met the teacher he would have and didn't care for her... she just seemed rather 'blah'.

School M:
- Is a much older building, which is currently (and will continue to be for the next year) under construction.
- There is no bathroom in the K classroom, ds would have to go down the hall.
- Main entrance, and other entrances for all students to use.
- This school has mostly lower income students, etc.
- Is closest to our house.
~ I have not met the K teacher, however I have heard all the teachers at this school are very nice and involved w/ the students. I do know that she is older (close to retirement).
~ This teacher/school has been sending ds packets in the mail (addressed to him) all summer with fun activities - the other school does not send out anything like this. Ds has really enjoyed these and we have been talking about school M and teacher Mrs. V all summer to prepare him. We also have toured this school together and drive by every once and a while and point it out to ds.

*I also need to take into consideration that both schools have completely different school supply lists, and we have already bought ds his stuff. All the schools are in the same district and have the same curriculum but I am told that the teaching approach is different in each school.

 

[sarahmae1]

It is the main reason, but not the only one. DS is very spirited and has trouble with tranisitions, though I'm sure he'd be very excited to be in class with his friend. (I'm not sure if it would be a good thing or not though. Ie: they may talk to each other too much and get in trouble, etc.)

I would really love others opnions/advice as well please!

 

[eminer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarahmae1 - This school has mostly lower income students, etc.

How low income?

Also, what are the differences in teaching approach?

And what do you hear from your neighbors about the atmosphere at school M (esp. discipline and what the work is like)?

Those would be my main questions.

 

[sarahmae1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by eminer How low income? Also, what are the differences in teaching approach? And what do you hear from your neighbors about the atmosphere at school M (esp. discipline and what the work is like)? Those would be my main questions.

Hmm, well good questions but mostly I don't know. We live in a rural farming type communtity, population around 20,000, very safe, and is in a low cost of living area as it is, so its not like an inner city school or anything. I don't know many of my neighbors, and there are not a lot of children around where our house is. There are a couple of trailer parks with kids near-by to us and the school (M). I have heard that the teachers at school M are very nice (in general) but that many of the students are 'at risk' and that sometimes the discipline can get in the way of teaching. I honestly don't know what the differences in the teaching approach at each school would be, I've just heard that each school does things a bit differently - from the K teacher at school "J" whom I didn't care for all that much.

 

[eminer]

Maybe you could get in touch with that teacher again and ask her for more detail about the approach at J (and see if your second impression is any different)? Also, maybe ask for names of parents at each school who would be willing to speak with you (e.g. members of PTA or parents' group) and answer your questions...

 

[sarahmae1]

eminer - that's a good idea, but I need to decide by Monday and I doubt I'd be able to talk w/ anyone this weekend. Based on the above, which school would you pick/should I pick?

 

[eminer]

Ugh, that's a huge bummer. If it were me, I'd seriously be calling people first thing Monday morning to gather info for same-day decision-making (while communicating with dh from work).

But if that's not an option, I'd say go with your gut/intuition. It sounds like there are plusses and minuses to both schools, and you know best which of those matter more to your ds and your family.

 

[sarahmae1]

Thanks... its hard for me because my head, heart, and gut are telling me different things so ...

 

[bobandjess99]

I have to second PP....
I would find out as much as i could about the "differences" between the schools....i know that here in my town, they have VERY different school atmospheres within our public school system. There are about 8 elementary schools in the local system, and they each get to make their own standards. 1 is for gifted kids, you have to test to get in. they have uniforms and special standards, and mandatory parent participation/volunteering, etc. The rest are all "regular" but some of them (its a school decision) have school uniforms, some not. Some use mutli-age classrooms, some do not...some are almost all black, some are not.....some are in the "ghetto" part of town, some are not....some have much higher percentages of non-english speaking students....some have brand new buildings, some are in old rattletraps....some have nice, seperate K areas, in the school and playground, some have NOTHING special for K's......

I'd be busting my butt and really trying to figure out WHAT the differences were (ESPECIALLY if one school has more "discipline" issues..this can REALLY affect how much actual education gets done..), meeting BOTH potential teachers...(honestly, I'd probably trade a LOT to get a great teacher over a "blah" one...unless they are both blah, LOL)

All that aside, the friend issue is possibly HUGE..how does your child feel about it? As someone who frequently had NO friends in school, and would hide in the bathroom and go hungry over lunch rather than walk into a lunch room and not have anywhere to sit, because no one wanted me to sit with them, I have to say that I am very sensitive to this issue.
Now, of course, your child might be the kind to make friends easily no matter where he is...but having a built-in friend cant be discounted!

I'm sorry, but given the info at hand, I personally couldn't make a decision. I'm simply not like that. I research EVERYTHING within an inch of it's life....and this in particular is such a HUGE decision...I would have to take my time to consider.

 

[sarahmae1]

bobandjess99,

Thanks for your post. I agree this is HUGE, and I do and have researched as best I can (with this and just about everything else). I toured all the schools in my area this past spring, talked w/ teachers and administrators, etc. - and then I made my choice. However I did not get my first choice so then I had to make peace with that (and I did). I began preparing myself and my child for reality.

My ds does make friends very easily, every where he goes. He's very talkative, active, and social. Also, I guess I should add that this is only for Kindergarten so I'm not thinking long-term as we will be moving before ds starts 1st grade. Also, K is only half days here and ds will be going in the afternoons and I will be driving him as there is no bussing unless you live in a trailer court or are a rural student.

The schools in my area are not that different, none have uniforms, none have mulit-age classrooms, none require testing to get in beyond the K screening which is basically just for reading placement purposes. All of the schools have a gifted program, a program for students who need extra help, and a computer learning lab/program. School "M" has more Hispanic, Black, and Native American students than the other schools, but still less than 3% - not a lot of diversity in this town.

 

[sarahmae1]

Would still really love some advice/opinions...

Mostly likely I will just be going with my "gut" - I just hope its not wrong!