The enrollment period begins in December, less than a month away. What's the big deal,you may say (only if you don't live in Oakland), its just kindergarten, what's the rush?
In Oakland, there is a lottery system in choosing your school. There are only so many openings per school, per class year, and based on where you live, there are sometimes no openings at all for the incoming year.
For those of you who know that I live in a great school district, you might wonder what crack I've been smoking to even worry about this. So here's the thing:
We do live in a well scoring district, Montclair, and, even by lottery, should probably get in. But is it the best school for Max? There are 20+ kids per class. There are split classes at each grade level (K-1, 1-2, 2-3). It feels very large. On the plus side, the teachers seem cool and experienced, the principal seems great, the PTA/parents are unbelievably involved. I just felt depressed at the end of the tour, it seemed really big...
Today we toured Thornhill Elementary, up the hill from Montclair (addressed above). We loved it. We really loved it. Same size, same basic curriculum, as a base. Very different, cozier feel. No split classes, More extra stuff aimed developmentally, really neat teachers, much more organized parent organization. Tons of computers. Really pretty setting, very cool field trips. It just felt better. This is one of those schools that pretty much only accepts neighbor kids, those in the district. We are a block or two out of that district. Crap. This school felt like how a school should feel.
After Thanksgiving, we tour Chabot elementary and I am still trying to set up a visit to Canyon. Canyon, isn't in our district but they do take 1 or 2 kids from their Kindergarten waiting list each year. That list currently has 50 kids on it. The school is tiny, beautiful and seems exactly right. Oh well.
Perhaps in the scheme of things, it will all be fine no matter what. I just want Max, and then Aiden, to LOVE school. To absolutely love learning as I did. I want a school that really sees and knows each of my children and addresses their needs and what drives them.
Perhaps, parent involvement at the school is what will make the difference. My sister is completely and crazily involved with her kids' schools and it makes a huge difference. She knows what they are getting and when they are not getting what they need. And then she does whatever it takes to get the job done-no child left behind in her household.
Thank goodness for Bernice and Joe's Playschool. The kids are happy there and are being prepared through play and caring teachers for the next step. And what a big step.
It's hard out there! I feel like we're trying to get our kids into college already! The good news is that, from the pic, Max seems happy and unfettered by the whole thing.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I liked your Picasso!