Kids Education

[colpol]

Where we stay - there is a great primary & secondary school about 3 miles away. Both schools have good reputations & the secondary in particular a good record of both academic\ sporting achievement. Unfortunately - we don't fall in the catchment area.

However - we got our daughter into the primary school via a placement request 7 years ago. However, we just received the refusal for the secondary school this morning. The secondary school she now has to go to being further away than the one we wanted her into ... !! It also doesn't have that good a record for academic achievement

We're going to take a few days to think it through. Thoughts on table are : -

- appeal (although been advised there are others ahead of us on list due to having siblings at the prefered school who also got knocked back)
- sell house\ move into catchment area (extreme but the idea on the table)
- Go private (v expensive for us but could do if we tightened our belts big time over next 5/ 6 years)
- Give the secondary school in our catchment area 1 year & if we don't like it at that point pull her out & go private

Anyone been in a similar situation where been in a difficult situation with your kids schooling ???

[Grumpy Badger]

Wouldnt hurt to try an appeal. Other than that go private. She'll only get one chance. You're not talking about Currie are you?

[Johny]

move house.

[Grumpy Badger]

Originally Posted by Johny

move house.

With the current Market it could be a concern as to whether the house would sell/new house complete in time. Or are you renting, Col? The hit you could take in a rushed sale/purchase could well pay for a private education!

[bayerische]

I must say this is not an issue in finland, don't have kids, but once I have school is probably the least of my problems...

Sorry if you have to move for your childrens eductation.

[Lisa]

We faced a similar situation when our oldest was just starting school. Ultimately, we decided on private schooling for all three of our kids. You only get one shot at educating your children. We moved a few miles to be closer to the school, and we were really lucky to find a home within walking distance of the school.

Yes, it's a big financial commitment - equivalent to about one Rolex per year per kid!

[jdc]

Horrible situation I remember the stress involved when waiting to hear which school ours got. Tough choices - good luck and the best to your daughter. I would see how she settles in at the new school, reputations can change quickly depending on the head and direction of the school.

[Johny]

Originally Posted by Grumpy Badger

With the current Market it could be a concern as to whether the house would sell/new house complete in time. Or are you renting, Col? The hit you could take in a rushed sale/purchase could well pay for a private education!

he says he might sell so renting? you need to be in the area so you know that you have to do something with the choices available.

[Rolex tom]

appeal or go private also simply ask your child on the choices leave sell house out of the question because in this climate it may be easier said than done anyway good luck in whatever you decide to do.

[Dr. Robert]

I moved to a different 'hood & bought a house there for better public schools.......
worth it, can't write off private school tuition here......I could write off the house mort. int.
A decent education is a very good thing to give your kid (s)

[kareemthedream33]

You guys probably won't agree with me but IMO unless there is a DRASTIC difference in education level, I wouldn't do anything extreme. Your primary concern should be raising your child properly so that she takes advantage of whatever educational opportunities she is presented with. If that does not occur, she could go to the best school in the world and it won't matter. If she is given the proper tools to succeed by her parents, she will thrive in any academic environment.

I went to a public school, but it had a variety of activities and different types of people. It made me who I am, wouldn't trade it for anything. I learned to associate with all different sorts of people. IMO private schools secondary schools kind of shelter kids from reality, but they have to be exposed to it at some point.

Focus on raising her at home, the rest will take care of itself. Just my 0.02, I don't intend to tell anyone how to raise their children, that is just my opinion based on my own personal experience.

[Chipmunk]

Rent a temporary room/house/shelter etc. within the catchment area while you're enrolling your kid then when she's in move out.

[Dr.Brian]

My advice would be to move. It's always easier to sell a house in the best school district as well, so win win for you down the line. We live in an area where 1/3 of the kids go to private school even though it's one of the best school districts in the state and the best in the area. It gives you more options. It could be worse, private school for 2 kids here is >1 platinum DD/yr.
I can't wait for college!

[axxeman01]

In Champaign they have a program called 'School of Choice', really however it's no choice, it's a program designed to ensure that there are X underprivileged kids for each school, even if it involves up to an hour busride. It means that just because you live next to a school, there is no guarantee that your kids get to go there.

It's the main reason we moved to a suburb.

[abigsecret]

Originally Posted by kareemthedream33

You guys probably won't agree with me but IMO unless there is a DRASTIC difference in education level, I wouldn't do anything extreme. Your primary concern should be raising your child properly so that she takes advantage of whatever educational opportunities she is presented with. If that does not occur, she could go to the best school in the world and it won't matter. If she is given the proper tools to succeed by her parents, she will thrive in any academic environment.

I went to a public school, but it had a variety of activities and different types of people. It made me who I am, wouldn't trade it for anything. I learned to associate with all different sorts of people. IMO private schools secondary schools kind of shelter kids from reality, but they have to be exposed to it at some point.

Focus on raising her at home, the rest will take care of itself. Just my 0.02, I don't intend to tell anyone how to raise their children, that is just my opinion based on my own personal experience.

I agree with Kareem

[Lisa]

Originally Posted by abigsecret

I agree with Kareem

I do, too - and he does say a "drastic" difference in the level of education. In our case, the school my kids would have had to go to has been in and out of "probation" by the state several times for poor test scores. The kids there aren't learning to read, write or do 'rithmetic. I'm not at all confident about the quality of education our state's public school kids are getting.

And - our state is dead last in education funding.

[Lion]

My son went through the same public school system I attended and received a very good education. As has been suggested maybe enroll your daughter in public school for one year and see how it goes. Then if you are not satisfied you can move or enroll her in private school. I understand that it costs a lot of money but your children are worth it!!!

[girltime]

We had a similiar situation where we moved to a more expensive area for the schools. Soon after moving our home was rezoned for an older school area that we had just moved away from.

We met with the school principal and vice principal and attended all the rezoning meetings. We filed an appeal and we were granted a waiver. We had to file a new form every year and it was approved.

I'd recommend try appealing->Try secondary school for 1 year->Private school.

Best of luck,

[Lisa]

Originally Posted by Lion

My son went through the same public school system I attended and received a very good education. As has been suggested maybe enroll your daughter in public school for one year and see how it goes. Then if you are not satisfied you can move or enroll her in private school. I understand that it costs a lot of money but your children are worth it!!!

Leo, as a side note and not really on topic - I think public schools are better in your part of the country. When my daughter was in kindergarten at our public school, she would cry on the days she had to go to science class. I called the science teacher to find out why, and ask how we could work together to help Phoebe. She bristled and launched into a diatribe about how she had to teach kids from kindergarten through grade 5 and adjust her curriculum accordingly. She was clearly overwhelmed, burned out and frustrated.

"Well, here's ANOTHER problem I have to fix," she said angrily.

Then, the next time Phoebe had science class, Mrs. W called her out and confronted her in front of the class: "Why are you afraid of me? What is your problem?" Mind you, my kid was 6 years old, and terrified.

(By the way, there were 26 kids in my daughter's class. The next year, at our private school, there were 14.)

That was the end of my Oklahoma public school experience for my kids. We couldn't get out of there fast enough. Sadly, it has to be "good enough" for the vast majority of families here.

[mfer]

Originally Posted by kareemthedream33

You guys probably won't agree with me but IMO unless there is a DRASTIC difference in education level, I wouldn't do anything extreme. Your primary concern should be raising your child properly so that she takes advantage of whatever educational opportunities she is presented with. If that does not occur, she could go to the best school in the world and it won't matter. If she is given the proper tools to succeed by her parents, she will thrive in any academic environment.

I went to a public school, but it had a variety of activities and different types of people. It made me who I am, wouldn't trade it for anything. I learned to associate with all different sorts of people. IMO private schools secondary schools kind of shelter kids from reality, but they have to be exposed to it at some point.

Focus on raising her at home, the rest will take care of itself. Just my 0.02, I don't intend to tell anyone how to raise their children, that is just my opinion based on my own personal experience.

You just saved me from typing that.

[Lion]

Originally Posted by Lisa

Leo, as a side note and not really on topic - I think public schools are better in your part of the country. When my daughter was in kindergarten at our public school, she would cry on the days she had to go to science class. I called the science teacher to find out why, and ask how we could work together to help Phoebe. She bristled and launched into a diatribe about how she had to teach kids from kindergarten through grade 5 and adjust her curriculum accordingly. She was clearly overwhelmed, burned out and frustrated.

"Well, here's ANOTHER problem I have to fix," she said angrily.

Then, the next time Phoebe had science class, Mrs. W called her out and confronted her in front of the class: "Why are you afraid of me? What is your problem?" Mind you, my kid was 6 years old, and terrified.

(By the way, there were 26 kids in my daughter's class. The next year, at our private school, there were 14.)

That was the end of my Oklahoma public school experience for my kids. We couldn't get out of there fast enough. Sadly, it has to be "good enough" for the vast majority of families here.

Lisa, I understand...my son had a horrible teacher for first grade( I sure wanted to smack her and I'm not a violent person) and we considered yanking him out and I could home school him. But I spoke with the principle and she said she'd keep an eye on him and she kept her word. Starting in second grade he had a wonderful teacher and had good experiences the rest of the way through high school. Now today I think we would have to put him in private school because the public schools have gone way down hill!!!

[Lisa]

Originally Posted by Lion

Lisa, I understand...my son had a horrible teacher for first grade( I sure wanted to smack her and I'm not a violent person) and we considered yanking him out and I could home school him. But I spoke with the principle and she said she'd keep an eye on him and she kept her word. Starting in second grade he had a wonderful teacher and had good experiences the rest of the way through high school. Now today I think we would have to put him in private school because the public schools have gone way down hill!!!

And you know, Leo, I think parents here have stopped expecting much from their public schools. Like I did, if they can afford it they just give up and go private. Things were definitely different when I was a kid. A few years ago, I drove over to the school I attended from K to 4th grade just to see how it was doing. The place was a wreck - poorly maintained, overgrown with weeds, the playground a mess with rusted equipment and falling down fences, and the parking lot pavement was full of holes. It looked like it had been closed for years, but it was still in operation.

[Carolina]

A great home life and fantastic guidance can't always make up for an inadequate school. Likewise, the best schools probably won't do much if parental involvment and upbringing is lacking. I've attended a parochial/private school in a failing city, a mediocre public school in a rural area, and an elite prep school. The differences were astounding. The parochial school had the largest class size by far - usually around 30 - yet kids did well and discipline problems were rare. The public school was a nightmare. When I transferred, I was a full grade level above the highest performing kids, and the level of disrespect shown the teachers (by students) was embarrassing even to me as an 11 year old. The elite school was nice, but challenging unless you came equipped with a trust fund.

I also disagree that (all) private schools shelter children. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but some things you just don't have a handle on until you have your own children - speaking from personal experience.

[mfer]

Originally Posted by Carolina

A great home life and fantastic guidance can't always make up for an inadequate school. Likewise, the best schools probably won't do much if parental involvment and upbringing is lacking. I've attended a parochial/private school in a failing city, a mediocre public school in a rural area, and an elite prep school. The differences were astounding. The parochial school had the largest class size by far - usually around 30 - yet kids did well and discipline problems were rare. The public school was a nightmare. When I transferred, I was a full grade level above the highest performing kids, and the level of disrespect shown the teachers (by students) was embarrassing even to me as an 11 year old. The elite school was nice, but challenging unless you came equipped with a trust fund.

I also disagree that (all) private schools shelter children. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but some things you just don't have a handle on until you have your own children - speaking from personal experience.

I grew up in RURAL mid-west. Notice the caps, really really rural. I frequently got beat up for being the smart kid who got good grades. It motivated me more in school to be smart and get the hell out of that town. And like he said, as long as the school isn't of MAJOR difference, then it won't matter as much. Teachers who see kids who try will help them all they need.

I work with tons of smart people who do GREAT at their jobs. They went to public schools all their life.

[Carolina]

Originally Posted by mfer

I grew up in RURAL mid-west. Notice the caps, really really rural. I frequently got beat up for being the smart kid who got good grades. It motivated me more in school to be smart and get the hell out of that town. And like he said, as long as the school isn't of MAJOR difference, then it won't matter as much. Teachers who see kids who try will help them all they need.

I work with tons of smart people who do GREAT at their jobs. They went to public schools all their life.

Sorry Mik - I wasn't trying to address your post personally - I quoted it in my original post by mistake.

[Carolina]

Originally Posted by mfer

I grew up in RURAL mid-west. Notice the caps, really really rural. I frequently got beat up for being the smart kid who got good grades. It motivated me more in school to be smart and get the hell out of that town. And like he said, as long as the school isn't of MAJOR difference, then it won't matter as much. Teachers who see kids who try will help them all they need.

I work with tons of smart people who do GREAT at their jobs. They went to public schools all their life.

So have I. But as your son nears school age, you may find your opinion changing. At least mine did.

[mfer]

Originally Posted by Carolina

Sorry Mik - I wasn't trying to address your post personally - I quoted it in my original post by mistake.

I'm not offended, so no worries. Public schools are only as good as people make them is my 2 cents (to a limit of course).

[Dr.B]

My kids are my life as well as being my greatest asset.
If I thought it was necessary to move because of academic reasons (schools)...I would not hesitate. However with that said much of my kids "education" comes from their home environment.

Good luck.

[kareemthedream33]

As with all things, it depends on context. Our individual opinions only matter in so far as our personal experiences have shaped them. Since we all come from different countries, cities, and situations, you will never get 100% agreement. Gotta make the decision that is best for YOUR kid.

[Carolina]

Originally Posted by kareemthedream33

As with all things, it depends on context. Our individual opinions only matter in so far as our personal experiences have shaped them. Since we all come from different countries, cities, and situations, you will never get 100% agreement. Gotta make the decision that is best for YOUR kid.