Hey moms. Does anybody have any information about any private kindergartens near the Keller area? I have no clue how much to expect to pay for this and if it's even too late to enroll for the fall at this point. I'm not too excited about the half-day thing that Keller does and am wondering if private would have longer days. But, we cannot really afford to pay too much. I would love feedback if any of you send your children to private kindergarten.
I know for a fact that Discovery School still has Kindergarten spots open for a few more days!!!!
Registration form at this link...
http://www.smithfieldumc.org/disc6.htm
More info on this link
http://www.smithfieldumc.org/discover.htm
(scroll to the bottom of that page for more links like "staff", etc.)
Wonderful Start to School, and Kindergarten has a really low teacher/kid ratio here.
-A.
K.,
I encourage you to try the 1/2 day kindergarten. I wasn't excited about it when we moved here and found out the K wasn't full day. My son is finishing up the year and he has learned SO MUCH. He had a GREAT teacher and I didn't imagine that he could learn as much as he did. He can read books, he can count well over 100, he can think critically, he knows basic rules for sounding out words and he knows basic addition and subtraction.
My PreK child went 1/2 day as well and I just found out that there are full day kindergarten classes that are offered if you qualify by family size and income. We have a family of 6 and may qualify. We find out in July.
I urge you to give it a try before spending too much for private K and not getting the best out of it.
Check out Discovery School in North richland Hills. It's at the corner of Smithfield and Chapman. We are veterans and will be starting our 6th year there. They have a program from 18mos-K. Kindegarten is Tues-Wed-Thur from 8:30-2:30. they try and follow the Keller/Birdville ISD vacation schedules. The class is small-I believe on 16-18 students and 2 teachers. Both have taught in local ISD's. Donna and Cindy (k Teachers) had my oldest daughter for Pre-K and were great. The kids get great individualized attention. I think the cost is under $300/month. I'm not quite sure since I am lucky enough to be in BISD (full day K!) Here is there number ###-###-#### It is well established-they have been there for 25 years. If you get a chance call before the end of June because they are out of the office in July for vacation. They are in office T/W/Th. Also I just called and kindergarten is not full so there is space available:)
My daughter went to 1/2 day Kindergarten at public and a 3 day Kindergarten program at private. The private was at least 1 whole grade academically ahead of the public, and has better days/hours. Not to mention, if you have religious values, the curriculum integrates christian teachings. The school has a preschool and it goes to second grade at this time. In the future, the school will be expanding to more grades. Here is the website and Kindergarten info...
http://www.lttlesprouts.blogspot.com/
Kindergarten_________________
Little Sprouts has a Kindergarten program designed to meet the spiritual, intellectual and social needs of children. A degreed teacher and a low child to teacher ratio allow students to receive individualized attention. This promotes growth in areas of both strengths and weaknesses, while building the child’s self-concept.
Kindergarten (home/school partnership)
8:30-2:45
5 year olds M, T, TH
Supply fee $200 annual
Tuition $300 month
Let me know if you have any other questions.
My son attends the Pre-school at Primrose of Parkwoodhill. I know that they have a private Pre-K (kindergarden level) and a Private Kindergarden (1st Grade Level).
I would guess that they will run between $170.00 - $180.00 a week for that age level.
Good Luck!
E.
My son graduates from private k at Childrens Lighthouse on Shiver this Friday! The school and teacher are wonderful! He's reading at a 2nd grade level, doing some math, and loves school. It's around $160/wk (not sure exactly since I get a sibling discount). If you go there tell them A. Randle referred you!
Don't count out the Keller 1/2 day just yet. Yes they will learn more at a private kindergarten but if you are not planning on keeping them in private school for an extended period of time then I would search for a childcare provider that can fill in the time when the child is not in school. That is really the most cost efficient way to go. I hope this helps. Oh, and my daughter is part of the GT program in Keller and attended the 1/2 day kindergarten in Keller and did not miss a beat. Keller ISD does not test kindergarten students for the GT program that starts in 1st grade and she is doing great! No slow down in her learning or skills going into the first grade due to 1/2 day program.
I have don't have any experience with private kindergarten, but another mom told me that she looked into it and I believe she said that it was $170 a week. I may be wrong. If I were you I would just call some of the local schools and set up an interview so you can tour the school and get a feel for the staff. That would give you an opportunity to ask any questions you may have. Good luck!
Ditto ad infinitum about Discovery School. It is a fantastic place w/ great leadership & teachers. I had always planned for my youngest to go there for kinder, as she has been there since 2 for MDO. But now we are moving & I am so sad to be missing out on kinder there. The pricing is great, too!!
Keller can blow its half-day out its ear;)
D.
