Last week we visited a co-op preschool for this fall. I love the idea of being involved in DD's school. But I must admit the co-op sounded very intense. Volunteering in class room 2+ times a month, monthly parent meetings, preschool "jobs" assigned to each parents, deep cleaning school 4-5 times during year, participating in 2 major fundraisers a year, etc. I'm not sure if committing to that much time would work as we both work and have DD #2. Today we visited the local public high school's preschool program. It seemed more learning based to me and is the same price actually. They have high school students helping out rather than parents. We put in an application for the public one. But I'm feeling slightly guilty. I know DD will like either (we took her to both places and she liked both), and she might learn more "subjects" in this class, but I feel like I should have the time and energy for the co-op. I just don't want to commit to more than I can handle. I wish there was a middle ground where I could still volunteer, but not quite as much as the co-op. But it's kind of like all or nothing with schools around here.
Re: Applied to preschool and a little sad
We both work and have two kids and I wouldn't make that commitment to the coop either. It wouldn't be fair to cut into our precious family time! As an elementary school principal I see children coming from both types of programs and there is no distinct advantage academically.
My sister had her son in a high school based program like the one you described and they loved it. He got so much one on one with the high school kids...and she even found some great babysitters for evenings and weekends in the high school boys he loved. Go for it without guilt!