Chicago preschools--WTF????

juliedooley · January 2012

I'm already trying to figure out the nuttiness that is the Chicago Public School System....

From my research, it seems that if we want to go through CPS for preschool we'll have to do the tuition-based preschool at a cost of over $11K a year (I think we make too much to qualify for Head Start/Preschool for All, and I think Preschool for All is only 2 hrs/day anyway). Meanwhile, local parochial preschools cost HALF that amount.

WTH? How do the 'public' schools get away with charging twice the amount of a private school for PRESCHOOLERS? Am I missing something?

A neighbor also told me it's imperative to get your kid into a magnet preschool if you want a shot at a magnet elementary, but since magnets seem to be purely lottery-based I don't see how it matters where DS goes to preschool.

Any moms out there with advice so I don't sit here and worry for the next 3 years about the cost of PUBLIC school??? DH and I LOVE living in the city and I know there's gotta be a way to get a decent education for DS without going into debt.

calex33 · January 2012

This is my understanding, but it may not be correct:

Public schools don't have to provide preschool or full-day kindergarten. They do not receive funding for these programs therefore, they have to pay for them in some way - hence, tuition.

The District I teach in doesn't have a preschool. In kindergarten, if parents want their children in the full-day program, they pay tuition. If they don't want the full-day program, the students go to half-day kindergarten for free.

egsquared · January 2012

I don't have a lot of advice for you. DD will be 3 in August, so we've applied to a tuition based program through one of the public schools and to a parochial preschool program. DH and I both work full time, so the preschool for all/half day programs don't work for us.

One thing we do have going for us is that we live in an area where our "neighborhood school" is a good elementary school and we'd be ok with DD going there once she starts kindergarten. But, if for some reason we do want her to go to the parochial school for kindergarten, we need to have her go there for preschool as they give priority for kindergarten spots to kids who were in their preshool program. This fact makes our preschool preference the parochial school at this point. I'm not sure how that works with the magnet schools - I too thought that was purely lottery based, so I'd love to see some more info.

I'm a little more concerned with the quality of Chicago public high schools, but we'll cross that bridge later I guess.

Mamasaurus · January 2012

You may also have a third option-- a nonparochial, private preschool in your neighborhood. There are a number of Montessori schools with pre-k programs in the city, for example. I have no idea how much that would cost since it can vary widely between institutions, but I just thought I'd mention it.

jkmbean · January 2012

How are you going about your search in the city? there seems to be information everywhere and I am trying to find out the best preschools in the area. Any ideas?

Bluebell 707 · January 2012

Npnparents.org. It's subscription but 100% worth it. They have really active message boards and tons of preschool reviews. Not to mention playgroups, babysitters, etc

I think the tbpk is $$$ bc the hours are basically like daycare. There are a lot of good private options that aren't crazy expensive also.

A few on the north side: jcys, Lincoln park preschool, park west coop, jcc, wee care, Lincoln park prep.

Want a personalized experience?

Chicago preschools--WTF????

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