WWYD re: Preschool

melly&jimmy

I am sooo indecisive about what to do for Pre-K.  I want to make the best decision but am at a loss.  Here is the situation:

1) Put E in Public School VPK Program (he was accepted into the lottery).  The school is a Rated A school (not sure what that means).

2) Leave him where he is now where he is receiving quality education, is comfortable, onsite where I work. and with the other two kids.  The issue or non issue (yet to be determined) - in the fall more than 1/2 of his class is "graduating" and moving on to kindergarten - which means about five of his current classmates will mingle with the incoming Pre-K'ers.

3) If accepted into the lottery - brand new Charter School. 

 Help please??  What are your thoughts??

EliStar

Honestly, I think all of those are great options. If he was accepted into a VPK program at an A school then I would be leaning more towards that option just because I went to public school and feel like I got a great education. An A school basically grades how well the students did on the FCAT - and I think it takes into account other factors like class size and whether students are promoted to the next grade. Obviously, A schools are where you want your kids to be if they are in public school.

But I understand why you wouldn't want to move him from the program he's at now. He's close to you and he's with his siblings. I'm not sure what kind of program it is or what you mean by his class mingling with Pre-K.

I don't really know anything about charter schools but I think Mrs.JosenAdri does - I'm sure she'll have advice for you

melly&jimmy

Thanks, I really appreciate your feedback.  THis is such a hard decision b/c I want to make the right one and don't know much about schools.  E is my first born so we're learning as we go.

What I mean by "mingling in" - the kids that are in the 3yo classroom will be moving into the Pre-K classroom (where E is now).  They will all be together.  E's birthday is in October so he misses the cutoff for Kindergarten and will be one of the oldest in the classroom. 

cocojack10

I can see why the decision is so difficult!

1 - Great option (save $) if you have the appropriate accomodations for pickup / dropoff.  Take into consideration if he gets sick and has to leave early, you'll have to leave to pick him up, but the other two are still at your job (daycare).  Is he going to be there through elem school?  If not, then worth the move to then move again?

2 - Wonderful to have everyone at one location!  Plus, he's already familiar w/ this site.

3 - I'm thinking this is probably the best option, assuming he gets accepted.  I'm guessing this is where you will want everyone in eventually.  Since he'll start at PK4, then you are guaranteed that he'll continue through elem school... plus giving you an advantage when the other two are ready to head over.

melly&jimmy

cocojack10:

I can see why the decision is so difficult!

1 - Great option (save $) if you have the appropriate accomodations for pickup / dropoff.  Take into consideration if he gets sick and has to leave early, you'll have to leave to pick him up, but the other two are still at your job (daycare).  Is he going to be there through elem school?  If not, then worth the move to then move again?

2 - Wonderful to have everyone at one location!  Plus, he's already familiar w/ this site.

3 - I'm thinking this is probably the best option, assuming he gets accepted.  I'm guessing this is where you will want everyone in eventually.  Since he'll start at PK4, then you are guaranteed that he'll continue through elem school... plus giving you an advantage when the other two are ready to head over.

You see what I mean?? None of these options are "bad" options...so difficult!!  Preparate!! 

VandRicky

Nate just woke up from his nap( I hear him in his room) so I'll be super quick for now and come back for more... lol

Does the school he go to now offer VPK?

Do you need him to be in school all day, while you work (remember VPK- the state only pays for 3 hours a day)?

Will you need him to be in school during the summer too?

For option A: do they have summer VPK option? I this a school you could see him in for a long period of time?

Option C: do they have summer VPK option? I this a school you could see him in for a long period of time?

MrsJOSEnADRI

Like V alludes to, I would definitely go with the option that would lead to whichever school you see him at long-term.

With the public school, you have a record of their performance.  Eli is correct.  In elementary and middle schools, the A pretty much refers to FCAT performance and reading/math proficiency.  In high schools, other factors are taken into consideration, like graduation rates.  If this is the public school that you would like him to attend, then he can already start getting acquainted with teachers, friends, curriculum, and it will be a smoother transition into Kindergarten which, to me, is one of the most important grade levels.

As for the charter school, if you tell me the name I may be able to give you more info.  I don't want to speak in general b/c charters have more freedom to make their own decisions.  The ones managed by Academica, like the Maters, Somersets, Pinecrest, Doral Academies, etc., are all doing exceptionally well.   Some started small and with few amenities, but they are growing.  If you would like to have your child at a charter, then starting in Pre-K or K is the way to go.  It's more difficult to get a spot in the older grades since there is very little student mobility.  Also, most of them have an accelerated program so pre-K students would be doing a lot of Kinder curriculum and most learn to read, write, add/subtract before they even start Kinder, and they are well-prepared for the multi-age classrooms beyond Kinder.  Again, this goes for the ones I'm more familiar with.  It all depends on the management company and the administration.   

I know it's a tough choice and you want to do the best for your child, but in reality they are all GREAT options!!!

MrsJOSEnADRI

Oh, and Melly is right.  If you would like all 3 at the charter for elementary school, the other two will have preference for entering the charter and all three will be at an advantage for entering the corresponding charter middle and high. 

melly&jimmy

MrsJOSEnADRI:

Like V alludes to, I would definitely go with the option that would lead to whichever school you see him at long-term.

With the public school, you have a record of their performance.  Eli is correct.  In elementary and middle schools, the A pretty much refers to FCAT performance and reading/math proficiency.  In high schools, other factors are taken into consideration, like graduation rates.  If this is the public school that you would like him to attend, then he can already start getting acquainted with teachers, friends, curriculum, and it will be a smoother transition into Kindergarten which, to me, is one of the most important grade levels.

As for the charter school, if you tell me the name I may be able to give you more info.  I don't want to speak in general b/c charters have more freedom to make their own decisions.  The ones managed by Academica, like the Maters, Somersets, Pinecrest, Doral Academies, etc., are all doing exceptionally well.   Some started small and with few amenities, but they are growing.  If you would like to have your child at a charter, then starting in Pre-K or K is the way to go.  It's more difficult to get a spot in the older grades since there is very little student mobility.  Also, most of them have an accelerated program so pre-K students would be doing a lot of Kinder curriculum and most learn to read, write, add/subtract before they even start Kinder, and they are well-prepared for the multi-age classrooms beyond Kinder.  Again, this goes for the ones I'm more familiar with.  It all depends on the management company and the administration.   

I know it's a tough choice and you want to do the best for your child, but in reality they are all GREAT options!!!

Thank you soo much for your feedback!!  I spoke with another friend who is also a teacher and she pretty much said the same as you...the Charter School is managed by Academica -- Somerset Academy CG.