I am trying to figure out where we'd like to send our son to kindergarten next year and there are so many great choices. Besides the reputation and success of the schools, I'd like to consider other factors as well and would love others opinions/experiences with these other issues.
- walking to a neighborhood school vs. taking a bus across town
(I know someone whose child rides a school bus 45 minutes each way each day - yikes!)
- school hours: 8 - 3 vs. 9 - 4 (getting home after 4, especially in the winter,seems so late!)
- K through 5 vs. K through 8 (there seems to be something nice about skipping middle school but are these kids at disadvantage socially come high school?)
I know these are minor issues compared to the quality of the school, but at this point I want to take everything into consideration to help me narrow down the choices. Many thanks!
Just remember that if you choose one and it is not working out after the first year, that they are children and are very resiliant and if you need to make a change, then do it while they are in those lower grades. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes.
I love the fact that we can walk our kindergartner to school! I went to a private school and my mom had to drive us each and every day. It's just amazing to me that we can walk up the street and be there. My 4-year-old goes to Early Childhood and he rides the bus. It gets here before 8 and he gets to school at 9. He loves riding the bus. My other son did, also. It's also an hour drive home each day, but he takes a nap on the bus, so I feel fine about it. If I had a choice, I'd find a school that was in session from 8-3. My son goes to K until 4 and it does feel late, especially in the winter. He has chosen to stay in the after school program, because he loves the activities and being with his friends. Even though I'm at home, he stays until 5:30 every day. If I pick him up early, he gets annoyed. In my opinion, I think most elementary schools offer a fine education. Even some of the poorer districts have well-qualified teachers, so don't let anyone tell you that you have to live in a specific district. And, my son's school is K-8, but I don't think there are many like that.
Good Morning D.,I see you live in Wichita. I may be a fuddy duddy, but I have a hard time letting a small child walk to school or even ride a bus, unless there is some other older responsible child on the bus that may help your little prince. Even an older child who would walk with them to school.
I know my gr son Corbin who will be in Kindergarten in the fall also well enough to know He would not walk straight to school here in Benton, and it's about 4 blocks south of his home. So I will be driving him the short distance and picking him up. Or we will walk together.
I know not everyone has this type of situation where they can make sure everything goes ok and their children are safe. With 3 little ones at home I can understand you need for a decision. You have a few months to think about what would be best for your little man.
Personally I would opt for the schools closer to home.
I do drive Corbin to Park City daily for Pre-K. Because they do not have one at all in Benton, Towanda, we couldn't afford El Dorados. Park City Pre-K is free.
Next year he will attend here in town.
GOd Bless you as you ponder the Pro's & Con's
K. Nana of 5
Where we live we only have the opption to the school district that we live in unless we want to send our child to private school and have to provide the transportation for that. The school district that we are in is a small rual school that has K- 8 in one building. There is no High School so we will have to be bussed to a high school and we do get to pick that one (unless they have a high school by the time that my daughter is ready for it).
The drawl backs that I have found is that my daughter now in 1st grade is on a bus with 8th graders. So she hears the language that we do not use at home. My friend has a Kindergartener she ended up sitting on the bus in the forth row with 7th and 8th graders (they were in trouble for tearing up the seats in the back of the bus). She was looking at an other boys shirt accross the isle from where she sat and the boy (8th grade) when off on her and called her all kinds of names she tried to get up to tell the bus driver and the other kid sitting with her would not let her up (7th grade) well her neighbor was sitting behind her and saw and heard it all happen so he went and told the bus driver. The kid that called her all kinds of names was moved to the front of the bus. He was kicked off the bus for 3 weeks. The kid that kept her from getting up was also kicked off the bus for 3 weeks. Come to find out that theese boys had been kicked off the bus last year towards the end of school for the rest of the school year.
My friend did not get a reason why her daughter was sitting with 7th and 8th graders when she was told at every meeting that she went to before school started that she would not be sitting with any child over 2nd grade.
I on the other hand have not had any problems with my daughter on the bus. She does ride the bus for 40 min. in the morning and 15 min. in the afternoon.
My main concern is when she has to change schools for highschool she is so used to her school and does like changes very well. Her school is on the small side or at least compared to the schools that I went to.
Just something else to think about when you choose your school.
honestly if they are both good schools i think the rest is up to you. what works best with your schedule, etc. be grateful you are in a position to choose, and go with it. it sounds like either way your little one will be fine. good luck!
