
We've moved into a new school district, where my son will start kindergarten (in the Fall of '09).
I have heard good things about the school, but I would REALLY REALLY love to get a "first hand" look. I'd love to meet the principle, talk to the teachers, find out about special programs. My only "specific" concern is that my son will be one of the youngest in his class, and while we're leaning away from red-shirting him, some of that decision may be impacted by what the "norm" is at the school. If the school pushes hard to have all boys wait a year,... I'd be disappointed,... but that would definitely be one factor in the equation regarding whether or not we should start are son "on time" or not. I know principles are busy people. Has anyone gone and visited a public school? How did you go about it? Did you just call the school and say "I'd like to come visit?" Or "I'd like to meet with the principle"? Is it too early to have this visit? The reality is, I think he'd go there almost regardless of how the visit was... but I guess I could see putting him in private school if I felt is was a truly horrible place. When you went for your visits... did you have a list of questions? Did you meet with the teachers? Principles? Or did they hand you off to an office staff member for a tour? Also, I assume these people have more time in the summer, but maybe that's not when I should go visit... did you visit in the summer? or during the school year? Any thoughts would be much appreciated. |
I would make every effort to visit during the school year when you will have the opportunity to see how the kids interact with each other, how the teachers interact with the kids, how engaged the kids seem to be with their studies, how orderly or chaotic hallways and lunchrooms seem and so forth. BTW, I personally would be more worried about too much orderliness than a little chaos! This is a tough time of year to try to do this type of visit, because the kids have major "end of school"-itis! |
Ahem. I'm not usually the spelling police, but you don't want to make this mistake down the line when you contact the head of the school - AKA, the principal. |
Our school district has scheduled tours and orientations in the spring; you could poke around on the net a little and see if yours does.
If you can't find anything, call the school. Most principals are happy to answer a few quick questions, although the end of the school year is a hectic time, and you might want to wait, or at least ask via e-mail, explaining that there is no rush to get back to you but you are wondering. |
My husband and I visited a school while we were house hunting. I called the school and made an appointment. I really wasn't that interested in meeting the principal, so I didn't push that issue. An office worker took us on a tour of the school, we met some of the teachers that didn't have classes and then we sat in on a Kindergarten class. We could have stayed all morning, but we observed the K class for only about 30 minutes. (I asked some early childhood teachers what I should ask and look for in a school - I teach, but not Kindergarten)! If you get to observe a K class, look at what is happening and make note. The class may be developmentally appropriate for your child. (and then red shirting wouldn't even be an issue.) Some parents are concerned about academics in Kindergarten, some are concerned about developmental appropriateness. Ask the teachers what their beliefs are, and see if they are alligned with yours.
I think that you should definitely visit when school is in session. But you may not get to meet the principal until school is out. And like other posters have said, it is the end of the year and things are winding down. Many teachers are finishing up projects and reviewing - not much REAL learning takes place the last weeks of school. And kids are a lot more lively once they feel summer is here. About the redshirting, I think that it would be a county policy versus a school policy. If the county's cut off is September 1st, then you might find a few parents that may hold back their son/daughter, but not many. |
I would personally insist on meeting the principal and hearing her/him articulate the vision of the school, discuss faculty development, etc. You will get more info that way, compared to just visiting the playground or the classroom. Most principals or their assistant principals are open (and probably appreciate thoughtful parents who bother seeking them out). I've visited several area public schools and have always make it a point of asking for the principals' time. They are usually accomodating. School leadership is one of the most important factors in evaluating any school.
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Good Jay Mathews article on this:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/education/schoolguide/mathews_print.html This part is particularly relevant: "Spend at least 30 minutes with the principal or the headmaster or the director, whoever is in charge. Ask that person about her educational philosophy, experience and future plans. And if she cannot give you 30 minutes, beware." I got a personal tour from one public-school principal who was very engaging (and no doubt very busy). That's the school we chose. Many factors were involved, but the personal interaction made a huge difference--I felt that this was a person I could deal with if any problems arose. |
When we visitied our public school the principal spent at least an hour with us, gave us a personal tour and sat with us with the school counselor to answer all of our quetions. I would not have gone there without that kind of attention. |