Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Education

Join the discussion on our Education forum.

Flip

Original poster

School Question- need input

11 replies

SamsMama · 14/05/2009 18:14

My DS is only 2, but I like to plan. (Also there's the possibility that DH and I might adopt an older child in the next year or two and I'd have to make a decision.) My quandry is this- our local public school is quite good. (I work there so I'm on the inside track ) It's also close to our house. However, there is a lovely school I'd like to send him to about 35 minutes away. The things I like about that school are: They have a year-round program (with several short breaks throughout the year instead of a long summer vacation). Also, the students wear uniforms, which they don't at the public school. I'm the most disorganized person EVER, and it would be fabulous not to have to put together an outfit for DS in the morning. (Plus the whole minimizing the difference between the haves and have-nots and all.) The farther away school also has capped class sizes (no more than 20.) Both schools are free so that's not an issue.

So...what would you do? If our local school were total crap I'd place him farther away, no question, but since the public school is ok I'm wondering what to do when the time comes. All that driving...! So, give me some input if you've got any! (Oh, to clarify, I'm American so our educational system is probably a bit different.)

OP posts:

missmiss · 14/05/2009 18:19

Send him to the lovely school.

isenhart7 · 14/05/2009 18:25

I'm an Anerican too and driving over an hour a day with children in the car is the pits, IMO! It's not just going and coming back from school either-as they get older there are programs after school and in the evening-play dates, birthday parties, plays, concerts, athletic events, parent meetings etc. I did the 30 minute drive for five or six years and then we moved so we could be a block away from school.

tiggerlovestobounce · 14/05/2009 18:27

When you say public do you mean state school?

I think I would go for the nearest school. 70 minutes in the car twice a day is too mcuh IMO. Or are there any other schools nearer to you that might be OK?

Original poster

SamsMama · 14/05/2009 18:33

I think our public schools are like your state schools. The farther away school is a charter school (meaning it is funded by the government but founded by a charter of parents who wanted an alternative.) The thing about going to school in our hometown is that it would be nice for him to have friends that live close to us, etc. I really like our community (v. close-knit, friendly, etc.,) and the school is a big part of that. Of course I know he could still make friends around town through our Parent's group and neighbors and all that.

OP posts:

ramonaquimby · 14/05/2009 18:37

the 35 min drive (is it a drive or walk?) would def put me off, that's too long to spend in the car twice a day when you're a kid.

MamaMuesli · 14/05/2009 18:39

close - commuting is no fun for kids and having local friends means can share lifts to activities, go over to play more easily, have friends at local clubs. School schedule is hard enough without the drive I'd say.

purpleduck · 14/05/2009 18:51

A few things...

(I am Canadian, but now live in the UK)

I really disagree about the Uniform evening out the haves/have nots - there are a hundred other things that kids would measure, and they do KNOW!

Also, even though you don't have to put together an outfit, you do still have to have uniform ready and tidy. I still get the "Mummy, I don't want THAT jumper/those trousers/etc etc"

I LOVE the system we have in the UK (which is like your "year round system" BUT, it can be a pain for working - also, aren't more camps/ summer program things more geared toward the traditional school year? It may not be a big deal now, but it could be when yours is older, and you are looking for activities or summer child care. That said - I think its a great system, as I believe the children NEED a break every 6 weeks or so. But, everything is geared for this system, and there are activities etc when school is out.

Chances are there won't be kids from school who live nearby. I think that sort of thing is important for playing at each others houses etc...I presume there will be children around who will be going to the closer school... how will your child feel when other kids have a nice long break, she has to go to school. I know it works both ways though.

Also, its so nice being able to walk to school! A short journey sounds heavenly!!!

Original poster

SamsMama · 15/05/2009 16:17

Thanks for the replies!

Purpleduck, I agree about the have nots/haves not being totally done away with by uniforms. The farther away school doesn't have that strict of a policy anyway- it's just khakis and a red, blue, or yellow polo shirt. So obviously someone's khakis are going to come from Goodwill while someone else's cost $90, and someone's going to have "cooler" shoes, or an I-pod, or who knows what. It's just that I already see the kids in the kindergarten class I work in comparing, "Natalie and I are both wearing High School Musical shirts, so we're going to sit at THIS table," etc, and it drives me nuts!

Also, I really do like the year round system. I think, as purpleduck also said, that kids need more breaks more often. A lot of kids lose a lot of ground over the summer, esp. the kids who sit in front of the TV on the wii all summer long. (Which won't be my son anyway, but YKWIM.) And my son has local friends that he has playdates with already, and it would be nice if he went to school with those same friends. Also, the two minute walk to school....lovely!

So. There's no educational difference between the schools, at least not that I can see, so it comes down to keeping DS in the car 70 minutes a day for the year-round calendar and the uniforms. Probably, when the time comes, I won't want to do it.

OP posts:

basementbear · 15/05/2009 18:30

I would definitely go to the closest school if they are both good schools. I am sure you can sort out what clothes your DCs will wear in less than the 70 minutes you will spend in the car each day

(and to avoid the confusion - or maybe add to it! - in the UK, public schools are the ones you pay for. You might also see them referred to as private or maybe independent, whereas state schools are the free ones)

Madsometimes · 16/05/2009 19:53

If you have your heart set on the school 35 minutes away, then I think you should consider moving house. I would not put myself or a young child through a long car journey every day. OK, I did commute on public transport for over an hour each way before children, but it was not a nice way to live!

If moving is not possible, then I would go for the nearest school. Your child will be less tired at the end of the day, and will have more local children as friends.

Original poster

SamsMama · 18/05/2009 16:43

Madsometimes, I have occasionally thought about moving. Our housing market is horrendous right now though and it would be really tough for us to find a buyer for our house now. Who knows though, in three years when DS is ready to go to school...

Basementbear, that IS confusing! I remember a friend from Wales explaining that to me once. I said, "why do you call them public schools?" And he said, "Well, anyone in the public can go, if you can pay!" Makes sense I guess.

OP posts:

Flip