leaving private for public

[Anonymous]

Because of the economy and other issues we think we will leave private school and start public school next year. It would be great to hear from other parents who've made the switch (dc would be entering 3rd & 6th grades in MoCo). Was it a hard transition? The upside, besides not paying tuition, is that dc would have classmates nearby. The downside is that they'd miss all the extras they've enjoyed at private school. I guess I'm looking for a way to make this switch as easy as possible on dc.

[Anonymous]

I do not have any majorly useful advice for you, but I appreciate your post. My DH and I are looking at each other like "should we bother to apply to the privates when we really do not know how will be economically in a year?" I would hate to pull my first out if it is not necessary. Ugh.

But you are in MC, which is great. I would call the school counselor in the schools and ask for tips. I would try to call parents of the kids your kids will be with and do something fun, have a pizza party, etc. Just keep it small. Whatever you do, do not stress your kids with being popular or making quick friends. Get them into sports, bands, whatever as fast as you can and let it happen naturally. Be empathic and very present. Try not to talk about the money aspect of what is happening (they will feel guilty) just say it is a good move for our whole family and how excited you are...

And try (since you will be saving money hand over fist) to plan a special trip or something to celebrate the move in schools. Hershey Park?

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

OP here - thanks for the advice, particularly about taking a special trip, that could help ease the change.

[Anonymous]

What extras specifically are you afraid they'll miss? Can you replace them with the saved money (e.g. music or art lessons), or are they intangible?

[Anonymous]

Yes, by extras I mean the art, music and sports that they get, but also the small classes and the sense that they are not falling through the cracks.

[Anonymous]

I know, we're facing the same dilemma. We'll miss the Art, Science, P.E. and other special extras our child currenty receives as well as the small class size. My DC, at 4.5 comes home saying the most interesting things learnt in school that day and I fear, (no, I know) that there is no way public can give my child that kind of nurtering education. It breaks my heart. I feel like my child will be moving in reverse in public next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do not have any majorly useful advice for you, but I appreciate your post. My DH and I are looking at each other like "should we bother to apply to the privates when we really do not know how will be economically in a year?" I would hate to pull my first out if it is not necessary. Ugh.

But you are in MC, which is great. I would call the school counselor in the schools and ask for tips. I would try to call parents of the kids your kids will be with and do something fun, have a pizza party, etc. Just keep it small. Whatever you do, do not stress your kids with being popular or making quick friends. Get them into sports, bands, whatever as fast as you can and let it happen naturally. Be empathic and very present. Try not to talk about the money aspect of what is happening (they will feel guilty) just say it is a good move for our whole family and how excited you are...

And try (since you will be saving money hand over fist) to plan a special trip or something to celebrate the move in schools. Hershey Park?

Good luck!

The kid gathering is a good idea. Are your children friends with neighborhood kids who attend the local public schools? If so, that's a natural transition, as the neighborhood children can show them the ropes. Depending upon your public school, art (and electives in general) can be scarce if test scores are low. So be prepared to enrich, if that's the case. Furthermore, with permission, counselors can allow your children to accompany a student on an academic day trip, so to speak. That may alleviate any fears. Check out the schools' web pages, too, so that you get a feel for the culture. http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know, we're facing the same dilemma. We'll miss the Art, Science, P.E. and other special extras our child currenty receives as well as the small class size. My DC, at 4.5 comes home saying the most interesting things learnt in school that day and I fear, (no, I know) that there is no way public can give my child that kind of nurtering education. It breaks my heart. I feel like my child will be moving in reverse in public next year.

Are you sure those are unavailable? I know plenty of charter schools offer Art, Science, PE, and foreign language.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know, we're facing the same dilemma. We'll miss the Art, Science, P.E. and other special extras our child currenty receives as well as the small class size. My DC, at 4.5 comes home saying the most interesting things learnt in school that day and I fear, (no, I know) that there is no way public can give my child that kind of nurtering education. It breaks my heart. I feel like my child will be moving in reverse in public next year.

Are you sure those are unavailable? I know plenty of charter schools offer Art, Science, PE, and foreign language.

charter schools in DC you mean? because there are no charters in Montgomery County
Charters are held to the same standards as the other public schools but are freer to create their own programs under that umbrella. So they usually are the first ones to protect the arts in particular.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, by extras I mean the art, music and sports that they get, but also the small classes and the sense that they are not falling through the cracks.

Don't assume that they will feel like they're falling through the cracks. You will feel that way, I'm sure, but the kids may not see it that way.

[Anonymous]

We are in the same boat, and it breaks our heart to think about switching our kids from their small, nurturing, private school full of art, music, and physical activity into a large (700+) public with low test scores and a high percentage of FARMS. It is not the demographics we are concerned about as our current school is nearly 50% African American, but it is the sheer size, as well as the loss of the enrichment activities. Plus, our kids both have learning and attention issues, but are currently straight A students. I am worried sick that I won't be able to get the accommodations they need. I know parents who have had to fight tooth and nail for an IEP, and even then implementation seems to be very teacher specific. I know that DH and I must get on board with the switch before we see it to DC, but how do you pull your kids from a school they love and where they are succeeding?

I wish I could feel better about our public, but with NCLB, and the focus on testing, and the general overcrowding, I am worried my kids will simply fall through the cracks, and not reach their full potential.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I know that DH and I must get on board with the switch before we see it to DC, but how do you pull your kids from a school they love and where they are succeeding?

I wish I could feel better about our public, but with NCLB, and the focus on testing, and the general overcrowding, I am worried my kids will simply fall through the cracks, and not reach their full potential.

That's EXACTLY what I am feeling!

[Anonymous]

What's a FARM? (Other than a given amount of acreage dedicated to the cultivation of agricultural production.)

[Anonymous]

Have you considered any lottery/magnet programs?

[Anonymous]

FARM - Free and reduced meals