Urban Schools

Make the drive. We started at our neighborhood school. We were so frustrated the entire year. Examples - over 1/2 of my son's kindergarten class had never attended the zoo or a museum (we go at least monthly). Clearly many had never been read to on a regular basis (huh- what do you do at bedtime?). Most parents not only didn't volunteer but didn't bother to bring their kids to after hours functions (like a concert at a bookstore to benefit the school). We found out over the course of the year, that at least 1/2 or more of our "neighborhood" (roughly defined as a 1 mile by 1 mile) are choice enrolling at other schools, going private, or home schooling. So, I wasn't crazy thinking we live in a good area and what in the world are we seeing at school.... We REALLY wanted to believe in the neighborhood school, be part of our local community and all that. BUT, when your kid can only relate to 3 of 42 kids (total K enrollment) and 1/4 of the class still doesn't recognize letters at the end of K, and many can't count to 100 on their own at the end of K, what are you going to do? You can have the BEST teachers in the world but without some at-home support, it isn't going to happen. Plus, your kids are going to stand out and not be "normal" w/in the neighborhood school parameters. So not only are you going to have to do major work at home to give them a good education, they're going to have a rough go socially, AND you'll have to counteract a ton of stuff that they'll bring home. We are now doing the drive (although because it is a gifted-talented program it was easy to find carpool - woo hoo!)and don't regret it at all. Our son is surrounded by kids who think it is cool to learn, are getting tons of support at home, all have been to all the major museums, etc - he finally feels "normal." And, for the most part, we've lost the attention-grabbing behavior from other kids (who weren't getting enough at home) and are in a "ready-to-learn" environment. I still have some pangs of guilt about "deserting" the neighborhood school - but this is my kids' future. Not just educationally but also in terms of who his friends are going to be for the next six years - which then has a direct influence on the troublesome middle school and high school years. OK, sorry for the book, but I can't emphasize enough to really think out the choice beyond "convenience." Do we miss a 5-minute walk to school - YES. Is it worth it to drive 5 miles? YES, YES, YES.

I saw that you are a photographer right? Well, where are you located? I am looking to take our family pictures with the pretty fall leaves and can't find a place to go and need some pose ideas for a family of 5. We just use the timer on our camera but would like to have some tips. I went through 2 rolls of film and only 1 picture really turned out and I don't know what I should be doing? Could you give me some tips.

Ultimately it is about what you think a school should have, measure it up and whatever school has the criteria you deem fit then go for that one. I live right across the street from the Elementary school. It is a very good school, I would say 60% of the school is open enrollment and the kids are driven to school.
It is worth the 10 miles if it is a quality education your children will be getting.
If it is just affluent as opposed to a basic urban school, I see no reason to do anything but keep them closer to home.
Do you know families in the school close by you? Will it be easier for the family for them to be closer to home?
Affluence doesn't necessarily mean better kids in my opinion. Quality in education is what I would solely base my decision around mainly. If the scores really vary that much I would drive them every day and put them in a school that rates higher in the education.

Hi M.,
I have wrestled with this issue since my son was 4 and in preschool (he is now in 2nd grade). I am trying to raise my kids bilingually, which includes sending them to bilingual schools. As you might imagine, this means limited shool choices. When my son was 4, I drove him 2 hours round trip to get to an immersion program. Am I glad he had the experience? Absolutely, and I still see the benefits all these years later. Would I do it again? Probably not. I am all for driving your kids to a school that better suits them, and i don't feel guilty at all about not participating in our neighborhood/community by doing so =- it's like someone said - it is hard when the community you live in is so different from your family, and there is always a feeling of being different. BUT, driving 2 hours RT was crazy, and not a nice way for my son to spend his time after a tiring school day. Also, at a certain point I felt it wasn't safe - I was spending so much time on the highway, with so many near misses. So, if you can drive your child to your preferred school without too much time and hassle - go for it. But just try to be realistic about how that drive will affect you and your kids, twice a day, every day. If you can any kind of carpool, that will help you, but the children will still have the commute. Just be sure it isn't too long, and take into consideration how different weather will affect it. I would NEVER do the drive I was doing again, but I do now drive my son to an out-of neighborhood school - it is just much closer! Hope that helps!