Looking at Schools

Oh the time is here....

It is fall, and in Dallas in the fall when you have an almost 4 year old, you tour different schools for next year's placement.

This is a topic of much anxiety!

Let me begin by saying that I write this post in hopes not to offend anyone. But I write to let out my own frustrations and anxiety with this issue. As I've said before, I write this blog for Charlotte to read in the future. And because this is such a hot and important topic (one that is at the fore-front of our minds), I write this post so that she can one day see the intense thought process involved in the decision of her future. (Just in case it turns out badly . . . ha ha ha)

My sweet Charlotte, this is not a decision that your dad and I take lightly!

Here we go - 1st of all, private school in itself is so foreign to both Justin and I. We grew up in Borger, TX with a population of 15k and private school was not an option. There were 3 elementary schools and you went to one of them based on your address and then all went to the same junior high and high school. Justin and I did well at Borger High. Both of us graduated with honors and in the "Honor Society." However, when we went to college, Texas Tech, we don't feel that we were that well prepared. I will no longer speak for Justin, because he was a much better student than I was, but let's just say that neither one of us really thought that hard about our future as high school students.

Living in Dallas has many advantages when it comes to schools and opportunities. I like to relate it to all the restaurants here-- there are so many great ones that on a given night you can be stuck with the question of "where do you want to eat?" And similar to the decision with the schools, there are almost too many wonderful restaurants out there.

Also let me be fair by saying that we have a fantastic, "blue ribbon" public elementary school that is blocks away from our house.

And for me, that is where the dilemma lies....

Because of the history and reputation, I feel almost dumb not having the public elementary be my first choice. Charlotte is now at 2 wonderful preschools, one that includes Spanish immersion. She could stay at both of those school this coming year and then attend the public school beginning in kinder. That choice would not only be good, but would save us a ton of money.

Any person would ask me, "Isn't that option good enough?"

The answer is yes it is, but I'm seeking more too and honesty I'm scared of that route.

Everyone that attends the local public elementary LOVES it! In fact, they can't say enough about the community and the teachers. But then, some hesitate about the middle school after that. Though I know multiple families whose kids attend the middle school (and they say they are very satisfied there), but I can't get over the metal detecters at the school.

Here are my biggest worries with public schools:

• that Texas is in a severe debt crisis and funding is coming out of the schools
• standardized testing
• and the fact that kids are growing up too fast these days

That said, I am rational and know that kids are kids and, no matter how much we would like to shelter them, we can't protect them from everything and they have to be mature enough to make they're own choices.

But I do feel that a private school will create a secure and loving environment while pushing Charlotte to succeed, which is what we try to do at home.

I feel that exposing toddlers and preschoolers to more in their early years will mold them into the person they will become. It blows my mind how much these kids today already know! They almost all know how to work an Apple device quicker and more efficiently than we do. Not only are the sponges, they are literally little machines!

There is currently a documentary floating around named, "The Road to Nowhere." Though I have not seen it myself, I have heard that it's about children these days being pushed too hard, with too much homework and too much extra activities. I understand the conclusion of the documentary is to let kids be kids. Let the preschoolers play through activity, exploration and creative imagination.

We all know that! It shouldn't take a documentary to tell us that. So why all the talk about it?

My thoughts are that we (especially in a city) get caught up in doing multiple activities. Why? Because there is so much to do! You really have to be pro-active and choosy when it comes to extra-curricular activities. Especially in the school age years. Also, I feel incredibly sorry for the public teachers. They are forced to teach for the damn standardized tests. Why? Because nowadays, the funding for the schools is in direct correlation to the testing scores.

All of this frustration is why I feel choosing public (at this time and in this city) for Charlotte would be a gamble. Again, I am rational enough to know that she would probably do well in public but, because she is our only one, we have the opportunity to look at other options.

And though both of us feel safe and comfortable with our public elementary, I worry that if we decide to then send her to private for middle school, she'll be behind in their current curriculum and the ultimate truth -- there are not that many spots available for admission! The most spots available are at the pre-k/kinder levels.

So far, we have looked at 4 privates schools. Trust me, there are many MANY more, but we're done. All 4 schools are great and we would be happy at either of of them. We are now in the application process and testing mode. (Testing for an almost 4 year old really means observation, but testing sounds fancier!) Once we "officially" apply and complete the process for each school, we won't find out anything until March 9, 2012! The day after my birthday.

I'll keep you posted on any changes or outcomes!

Let me close by saying again, that I hope I have not offended anyone. Talking to other families about this topic in Dallas is like talking about religion or politics. It's almost taboo with some people! We can definitely see both sides to the public/private debate, and we just want to do the best we can for Charlotte, and give her as many opportunities as we can.

I do not write this for any other purpose but to show Charlotte how much her mom and dad fretted over this issue. Though we have made many choices for her thus far, this is one of the biggest choices that will affect her directly. And with that said, that is why I am educating myself with multiple options.

We love you so much Charlotte!!!!!