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Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS)
FCPS Kindergarten Immersion Programs - How competitive?
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Anonymous
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I just recently became aware of the immersion program at a school in my community. Since I am a PT working mom stuck in a half-day K district for next year, I had been looking into private K programs for next year, as they would allow for me to up my work hours and come out ahead in monthly expenses. I'd love if my monthly costs for my kid's education were close to $0, as the public full-day K programs would allow me to work my hours without seeking much daycare help. So, after all that background, I feel like the full-day immersion program would be the answer to our family's logistical/money issues. Are the K programs incredibly hard to get into? Is one more desired than others? We'd only apply to the one in our community - otherwise, our options are private K OR sell our house and rent in the full-day K district that is directly across the road from us (so annoying that one road is dividing us).
Before I get flamed, I'm also very interested in the immersion program for what it is - I would love it if my child had exposure to foreign language at a very young age in the hopes that she might be able to be bilingual. So, it isn't just because of the financial concerns - that would really just be an added bonus. Anyone with experience with the kindergarten immersion lottery able to comment? |
Anonymous
| Is after K SACC not an option for some reason? |
Anonymous
if we get in off the wait list, it might be. But then I'd be paying $300/month just to get me up to the public full-day K schedule (which would be free)....PLUS any aftercare. Oh, and I would NOT be able to increase my work hours, and I work on an hourly wage. It sucks that money is such a consideration, but it is what it is. |
Anonymous
| I thought the immersion programs started at 1st grade. |
Anonymous
nope, there are 4 schools with Kindergarten immersion programs, but only spanish. It is called two-way immersion, and it seems like a 50/50 split in instruction time and student body makeup (native spanish speakers and native english speakers). |
Anonymous
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My son was offered a spot in the Lake Anne immersion program. I applied through the lottery and didn't initially get a spot. When I got the letter saying he didn't get a spot, I was told he was #30 or so on the waitlist. You have to return a card saying you want to remain on the waitlist by a specific date. After that date passed, they sent us another letter telling us he was number #12 on the waitlist (I guess that many people didn't return the paperwork). We got a call over the summer offering him a spot, but we turned it down. At that point, he'd already been on playdates at his new (neighborhood) school and he was excited about going there. Plus, I decided I wasn't up for the commute (we live in Vienna).
I know someone with a daughter in the immersion program at London Towne and she, too, got off the waitlist in the summer about a month before K started. Both my friend and I are native English speakers. I've heard it's easier to get in if you're native Spanish. |
Anonymous
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By that point, I would have had to make the decision whether or not to sell our house and move into the full-day K district or to stay put and go private. ACK - and there is also an added wrinkle that we MIGHT be moving out of state next summer.
Seriously, this is all making me crazy - my husband has already said he's tired of hearing about it. But there really are way too many things to consider here, ya know? My head seriously might explode. |
Anonymous
| It you get into the before/after K Sacc and that puts you on the same schedule as full day K, aren't you still ahead $ wise vs. private? |
Anonymous
you would think, but not really because going private would allow me to up my hours, therefore more money coming in monthly. Not to mention, even if it is a matter of $100 or so, I'd rather my daughter be in a school enironment full day rather than half day K plus after K SACC. And, of course, I'm on the wait list for SACC, and my other option is Kindercare, which is even more pricey. |
Anonymous
| You'd put your house on the market becaues of a problem that will go away once your DC enters first grade? That's crazy, especially if there's a chance you will be moving next year. |
Anonymous
| we're definitely moving out of area at some point (if we make the decision to stay here, we'll probably stay for another couple years), and our house is too damn small anyway. we're not going to put our house on the market JUST because of the school issue. We really just need to figure out how the tax breaks of owning vs. none while renting work out. But paying $500+/month in daycare just because we are stuck in a half day K district vs. possibly nothing to be in a full-day public K doesn't make a hell of a lot of sense either. |
Anonymous
| But it's one year, or do you have no daycare expenses currently and so don't have the budget for $500/month? (oh how I would love to pay that little) |
Anonymous
| Personally, as one who has had children in SACC, I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss the program. The program at our school is very much an enrichment program and far exceeds any daycare program. The cost is also very reasonable. SACC would not cost you $500 per month. You really need to do more research and understand the program a little better. |
Anonymous
Actually it is $600 per month if you need after K and afterschool SACC. $300 for each. http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ofc/SACCSchoolFee.htm |
Anonymous
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I'm NOT not dismissing it entirely - but I am pretty far down the wait list and have to come up with other options. Kindercare is right across the street and would cost me @$450 or so for 3 days a week (which is what I currently work). Trust me, I HAVE looked into the costs, and the last poster is right, $600 is the full cost of SACC.
You can argue costs all you want with me - that wasn't my question. |