WWND -- Kindergarten decision (long)

Pesky

DH and I initially were going to send DD to the private kindergarten offered at our daycare.  But we have been unhappy with the rate of turnover in the last couple years.  At the urging of a neighbor whose 2 kids go there, we visited and toured the local elementary school and were very impressed.  We just discovered at last night's information session for the private kindergarten at daycare we have to make a decision this week (more about that later).  Pros and cons are:

Local School  (CO school grade B; good reviews on Great Schools):

*   get to know schoolmates (potential local playmates) and school (terminology used in classroom remains throughout as does technology like Prometheum, iPads, etc.)

*  cheaper by quite a bit

*  goes to afterschool program that runs K-6 with ratio of 15:1 minimum, usually more coverage; this program also runs on in-service days and breaks with exception of federal holidays, 2 wks in summer and few days around Christmas

*  have to be responsible for snacks and lunches now; also have to feed her breakfast at home (currently gets at daycare)

*  2-3 field trips during the kindergarten year but other in-school assemblies

*  would have to deal with more frequent snow days 

*  ratio of 12:1; principal is former K teacher there and very committed to that ratio

*  lots of extras included like music, STEM science lab, library, art, gym, computer lab

*  school has integrated hearing impaired students (who have additional aides) so sign language is used by all teachers and offered as a 2nd language later on.  They teach the kids signing too. 

*  two drop-offs; while both are relatively close to our house, they are in opposite directions.  When DH is in town, he can handle DD's drop-off and pick up so no difference for me. 

 Daycare:

*  same curriculum at Douglas County

*  closed less;  they are rarely closed. 

*  more expensive (talking about $50/wk ($10/day after-school; if full day, $30-40 depending on if a field trip) vs $235/wk)

*  all meals and snacks provided

*  not equipped with same technology like prometheum and computer lab

*  current K teacher leaving year end (cited reason was distance -- she lives in Strasburg); assistant  has been there since Aug/Sept (seems good)

*  while they follow the Douglas County schedule for breaks, the assistant continues the daily routine going over what they have learned

*  quick decision timeline -- we just found out last night that we have to make a decision this week and pay money to hold the spot.  They also didn't communicate the info night last night was mandatory to attend to get in and judging by the turnout, they are either folding on that or sticking with 5 kids max.

*  11:1 ratio 

* one drop-off

*  no guaranty we would get DD into the local school first grade if we opt out of the system now.

WWYD?  I know where I am leaning and that may be obvious but curious as to what you would do.  TIA! 

WonderRed

Why wouldn't you be able to put her into your local school in 1st grade?

Pesky

WonderRed:

Why wouldn't you be able to put her into your local school in 1st grade?

I can if they have room from kindergarteners moving up.  If they don't, I go to another school.  Not really sure it will be that big of a problem as I think there are 4 1st grade teachers and only 3 kindergarten ones and the room size goes up. 

WonderRed

Is that standard for all Douglas County schools?  I thought they were required to take you at your local school no matter what. That's how our local is.

carrierrie

If you plan on sending her to that Elem in the future, I'd just start her in public school at K.  I understand the issue with breaks, holidays, summer, snow days, etc. but there are other programs available through the parks & rec dept, for example,  that should be able to fill the gap for breaks.  This what we plan to do at least. 

Also, I'm pretty sure she gets a spot if it's your neighborhood school.  Think about when families move.  They have to have a spot for that child.

Pesky

WonderRed:

Is that standard for all Douglas County schools?  I thought they were required to take you at your local school no matter what. That's how our local is.

Apparently not.  My neighbor warned me first and school officials confirmed it.  Shocked the  heck out of me when I found out but appears to be how that works around here. 

WonderRed

I know I'm not answering your original question.  I'm just stuck on the fact that your local school can tell you you can't go there because they don't have room.  So then if you don't get into a charter or can't afford private school, where are parents supposed to send their kids. That's not even legal.

sara_c

I'd go local.  And I'd double check the after school/intersession program.  Our school offers it ALL summer long.  The kids love the program and they offer help on homework during the year and field trips almost daily during breaks.

 

Pesky

WonderRed:

I know I'm not answering your original question.  I'm just stuck on the fact that your local school can tell you you can't go there because they don't have room.  So then if you don't get into a charter or can't afford private school, where are parents supposed to send their kids. That's not even legal.

You can "choice into" any Douglas County school.  Guessing they have to make room for you somewhere but it just might not be the school for which you are zoned. 

Dragonflyer

The joys of open enrollment. I am making this decision too here in California. I actually would love to keep Noah at his current school but having to pay for him and Finn isn't really an option right now so I am putting him in our local elementary. The only thing I don't like about our elementary is that it is only a 3 hour a day program, less than his pre-k now and I will have to do two drop-offs in opp. directions.

 

WonderRed

Pesky:

WonderRed:

I know I'm not answering your original question.  I'm just stuck on the fact that your local school can tell you you can't go there because they don't have room.  So then if you don't get into a charter or can't afford private school, where are parents supposed to send their kids. That's not even legal.

You can "choice into" any Douglas County school.  Guessing they have to make room for you somewhere but it just might not be the school for which you are zoned. 

So just because someone is in district doesn't mean you can go to that school?!?  I've started looking at Douglas County for buying again but am going to stop if I have no control over what school N would go to.

AugustBrideCO

I'd go to the public school. I think it'll be great to get to know all the kids, teachers, etc. in kindergarten. They also might get to know some of the older kids, which is pretty neat. My 4th graders are buddies with kindergarteners, and the kids absolutely love their little buddies!

Noah&ZachsMom

Local school.  Simply because your local school sounds academically a lot like the private school we send N&Z to.

Good luck with your decision!

DownToEarthGirl

It sounds like your local school has a lot to offer - I'd probably go that route and start building those friend/community connections with her.  Although it sounds very hard to leave your preschool/preK. 

WonderRed - as far as moving into a county, you should call and see if there is a different process in transferring schools compared with starting school.  If I remember correctly, I think it was like that in JeffCo. 

taratru

Okay, this was bugging me so I looked at the dcsd board policy on enrollment. They have to take you at your home school unless subject to an educational reason. So I would be finding out what that reason is and/or making sure my kid is going to the school she is supposed to. They can't accept "choice" kids before the resident kids. That's not their priority listing, which is also on the website.  Someone is being fishy...either in their answer or their lack of answer. 

Kmac-06

The public school sounds like a great option from what you've shared. I would follow your gut.

todds_wife

DownToEarthGirl:

It sounds like your local school has a lot to offer - I'd probably go that route and start building those friend/community connections with her. 

Plus I figure two drop offs are going to be a reality sooner-or-later, right, so why not just make it "sooner" - the local public school sounds really great!