Can a child attend 2 different private schools?

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know of any rule/policy that would prevent kids from attending one private pre-k in the morning and a different one in the afternoon?

[Anonymous]

Interesting question -- I don't know. I can't see why there would be an issue if they are both private. I do actually know some kids who go to 2 different Montessori Schools.

[Anonymous]

We have a child attending 2 different schools on alternate days (one school M, W, F and another T, Th). It's worked out ok this year to get us a full time program, but it is double the work for me (as a parent--two teacher conferences, two volunteer commitees, two birthday parties with each class, two teacher gifts etc).

Also, I think it would be really hard to do two different schools on same day (hard on the kid and hard on you). They need some time to decompress and 'shfit gears' between schools. My child gets that at night as we prepare for the next day at the 'other' school, but if you only had a 2 hour 'break' that might really mess up your child.

Plus, as you get older, you are going to have to select one as schools at the K+ level are not 1/2 day any longer.

[Anonymous]

I know a number of families who have done this in various ways.

1) A family who sent their child to St. C's (a.m.) and NCRC (p.m.).

2) A family who sent their child to a Montessori school 4 mornings a week, and then pulled them out on Fridays to do a Waldorf parent/child class.

3) Several families who have sent their child 1/2 day at a special ed program (MCPS PEP, Katharine Thomas's preschool, or Maddux) in either the a.m. or p.m. and a "regular preschool the other half day.

One thing to consider is that while full day schools usually have nap, outdoor play, and other lower key things in the p.m., half day schools have a full curriculum in the afternoon. I think the a.m./p.m. school model can be really exhausting for a 3 year old, but OK for some 4 year olds.

[Anonymous]

I'd love to know the circumstances that would lead to this (not for preschool but lower/middle/high school...and what the financial arrangement is. Totally curious..no agenda.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd love to know the circumstances that would lead to this (not for preschool but lower/middle/high school...and what the financial arrangement is. Totally curious..no agenda.

No kidding... talk about driving yourself crazy!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know of any rule/policy that would prevent kids from attending one private pre-k in the morning and a different one in the afternoon?

The kid is 4 years old. Let him/her be a kid. Two pre-K classes per day? Get a life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know of any rule/policy that would prevent kids from attending one private pre-k in the morning and a different one in the afternoon?

LOL. It is your money. I might add that you would be asking A LOT of your young child's ability to acclimate and learn the culture of two schools and switch course( different teacher,different rules,different classmates, different bathroom location) when : at a time of day when it is age appropriate to take a nap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd love to know the circumstances that would lead to this (not for preschool but lower/middle/high school...and what the financial arrangement is. Totally curious..no agenda.

No kidding... talk about driving yourself crazy!

My guess is the OP wants foreign language emersion, but really likes another school better overall and has a plan to "hold the place" in the long term plan school for when the emersion program ceases to be full emersion.

[Anonymous]

There are many valid reasons for this arrangement, actually. A parent may not want to break a contract with one school if the child gets in to another off a waiting list. Or the child is ready for a full day of school but only got in for a half-day given age or availability. Or each school offers a different feature that a parent feels a child may benefit from.

[Anonymous]

Or, more likely, the original poster is an absolute freak.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd love to know the circumstances that would lead to this (not for preschool but lower/middle/high school...and what the financial arrangement is. Totally curious..no agenda.

I can't really imagine doing this beyond preschool (or if you're blending 2 half day K programs), except in a special needs situation. For example, I knew a kid once who was in a private special ed program due to extreme anxiety, that happened to be in the same building as a private faith based school. As he got ready to transition the faith based school, allowed him to attend one class a day with a shadow, and then return to the therapeutic setting. They didn't even charge tuition, because they felt it was their religious responsibility, but the parents did make a generous donation at the end of the year, that was like 1/4 of the year's tuition. I've also know kids who have done the reverse, attending a private school, but getting therapies at the public school, and then arriving late. I also think MCPS does this with some of their most disabled kids, having them spend mornings at Stephen Knolls and afternoons at their home school with an aide or something.

But attending Sidwell MWF and GDS T/Th? or Sheridan in the morning and Lowell in the afternoon? I can't imagine how that would work.

[Anonymous]

If you negotiate with the schools and are prepared to pay for the services I do not see why not?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you negotiate with the schools and are prepared to pay for the services I do not see why not?

Because the kid would be doing different stuff each day and not following a proper curriculum. Absurd beyond preschool. How would it even work?

[Anonymous]

OP here. 11:34, I am actually not a freak. I am the poster who listed all the valid reasons for such an arrangement, each of which applies to our situation. Thanks to those of you who gave helpful responses.