Community› The Bump Message Boards› School-Aged Children
School-Aged Children
New Discussion

Hello! New to this: Mom in need of school advice

ClareMitchMomClareMitchMom
in School-Aged Children

Hi everyone,

It's nice to meet all of you :) We're moving to California from Ireland in the next few months and I was wondering about the school system in America. My son's going to be starting primary (grade) school  this year and I was wondering what the school calender is like in the States? For example... It says that schools in NewYork break for Summer vacation in June but schools down south break for vacation in May? 

Any Cali moms out there who know about the school calender?

 Any help would be much appreciated :) 

- Irish Mommy x 

Report Reply to Post

Re: Hello! New to this: Mom in need of school advice

  • Littlejen22Littlejen22 member
    Do you know what town in California? How old is your child and what grade in Ireland? Kids in the US start Kindergarten at five and graduate at 18 generally. I do not know the Irish school system but the last two years of high school in the US are 11th and 12th grade and are more similar to the A levels in the UK although my husband would say they are less focused and generally a little easier than A levels but that depends in the kid. Also in the US you can quit school earlier but the vast majority of kids go to school trough 12th grade unlike in Ireland and the UK, the expectation is to finish and you cannot go to any trade schools before that. There is someone on the blended Families board from Ireland and she live in the US before although not with kids. She could probably help make comparisons.
    Jen - Mom to two December 12 babies Nathaniel 12/12/06 and Addison 12/12/08
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • AZ123AZ123 member
    For California the quality of the school depends on where you live and the school district. There's a rating system of each school that you can view online.
    Some schools do year round but most schools do not and break for summer.  Schools on the east coast have snow days; california schools do not.  kindergarten registration for California schools is going on now. Schools days are M-Thur 8-2 and then Fri 8-12 but it depends on the district.
    Baby Birthday Ticker TickerBaby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
  • ClareMitchMomClareMitchMom

    Thank you for all of your advice ladies truly very helpful. My husband recently found out he is being transfered to the US branch of the company he works for, position is in Palo Alto so we are looking at houses and schools in that area. 

    I had no idea how much school differs in the US compared to Ireland. Here we have preschool from 2 to 4, primary school from 5 to 12 and then secondary school form 12 to 18. The summer vacations are what are really throwing, they seem to differ from region to region. 

    I've looked at a website called schooldigger that compares schools in each area and we're looking at a few to send Monkey to this year. He's just started Primary school now ( he started early at 4 ) So I'm not sure whether or not to let him start from the beginning over in the states.

     In Ireland Summer holidays are three months from the 1st of June to the first of May! So it's a real job to keep monkey entertained for the three months! 

    I think everything will come together when we fly over and I can check out these paces for myself... you can only get so much info on line and my Mom instincts are telling me go and see places first before I commit. 

    Thank you for all your help ladies!

    - Irish Mommy xx

    Report Reply
  • ClareMitchMomClareMitchMom

    DS turns 5 in early August so he's elligable for this year! We're flying over in the next few weeks so we can get everything sorted finally an dI can relax :) 

    Moving to a new continent with your OH, DS and another peanut on the way is NOT easy! I just can't wait to get settled in finally :)

    I need to start looking at a good Summer day camp for DS, preferably a sports one because he's just started learning about baseball ( its not popular over here ) and he's excited to start playing as OH bought him a special baseball glove! ( sorry don't know the right name for them!)

    Thanks for all your help ladies, the chool system seems alot less daunting know! :)  

    Report Reply
  • jlw2505jlw2505 member
    If you know where you will be living, google the schools web site.  It will vary greatly by state and also private vs public.  Schools start as early as Aug and as late into Sept and get out from May into June.
    Jenni Mom to DD#1 - 6-16-06 DD#2 - 3-13-08 
    Report Reply
  • mandymackmandymack member
    ClareMitchMom said:

    Hi everyone,

    It's nice to meet all of you :) We're moving to California from Ireland in the next few months and I was wondering about the school system in America. My son's going to be starting primary (grade) school  this year and I was wondering what the school calender is like in the States? For example... It says that schools in NewYork break for Summer vacation in June but schools down south break for vacation in May? 

    Any Cali moms out there who know about the school calender?

     Any help would be much appreciated :) 

    - Irish Mommy x 

    Hi there!
    I'm in the Bay Area (which is where you will be moving to) and wanted to share this website with you: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/gs/em/kinderinfo.asp

    Also, the Palo Alto Unified School District's website: https://www.pausd.org/  Looks like August 15th is your first date of school.

    If your son turns 5years old BEFORE October 1st then he can attend public school. If not, he has to wait until next year. They are moving the cut-off date from Dec 1 back to Sept 1, one month each year between now and 2015.

    The county I live in starts school August 26th and ends June 7th. Summer is just shy of 3 months in most states in the USA.

    GL and welcome to CA!!!

    eclaire 9.10.06  diggy 6.2.11

    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"