Interested in Robert Goddard French Immersion

[Anonymous]

I would love to hear from any parents who currently have children enrolled at Robert Goddard in the French immersion program. I am curious about the curriculum and structure of the day. Do the children have recess and PE every day? How often do they have music and art? What is the peer culture like? How well do your children speak and write? Also I have heard that there will be a new principal and would love to get some feedback about that.

Diversity is another issue. As a white family we would be a minority since the school is about 80% black. Do parents think that this would be an issue in terms or my child fitting in? Are many of the parents middle class college educated professionals? I realize that the school is open to all, which is great, but I was curious as to whether the program attracted a certain demographic group.

Any information about your experience with the school would be appreciated. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

They only take kids going into K. If you don't have one of those, don't worry.

PGC schools are black majority. My kids are white/Asian and are often the only, or one of the few, of either race in their class. They haven't noticed yet.

[Anonymous]

It's very hard to get in -- huge waiting list.

[Anonymous]

You probably have a better chance of being drafted by the National Football League.

[Anonymous]

Yes you would be a minority but the 80% black may not be an accurate assessment, culturally speaking. My daughter goes to Robert Goddard Montessori and if this is any indicator a large portion of the blacks are not "African American" but Africans and other "black" peoples from many parts of the world. Its quite diverse in that way. These tend to be highly educated families. My experience has been quite good. The parents are conscientious and very nice. Their kids are smart, polite and well-behaved. Incidentally, my daughter's 2 best friends at school happen to be white (I'm black as in African American). I love the parents at this school. They are very involved and supportive. We get invited to many a birthday party and there are always many cultures and races represented. So to answer your question....its a non-issue. I don't know about the French Immersion school but I assume the same thing applies since lots of Africans are French speaking (my wife is from Cote D'Ivoire and speaks French). Fitting in isn't a problem with children. They just see another kid. sadly, its us adults who seem to have issues playing well with others. The French Immersion is the best school in the county. Good luck. I hope your child gets in! I'm trying to get my daughter in there as well.