Moving locally- would you drive your child to their old school or start new school mid-year?

[Anonymous]

I'm on the fence about a school dilemma and wondered if anyone wanted to weigh in. We have a kindergartner and are moving locally March 1st. I need to decide whether to go to the new local school or drive back to the old address for the duration of the year. It is about 9 miles, and 15-20 minutes away, twice a day. Because of no-school days and other reasons, there are 50 days that we'd have to make the drive until the end of the year. Is it worth taking the kid out of their familiar environment to save all that time in the car? I'd also have my toddler with me in the car. I know many many people commute longer to schools every day, but we have a local choice, so it seems different. My kid is pretty adaptable, but I hate to make them be the new kid with the nervousness and insecurities getting to know a new house, new friends, and new school.
Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

If you don't work, then I wouldn't pull your kid mid-year.

I work - early hours. When we moved, we figured out a way to balance out the commute to two different schools (former elementary school and a preschool). Each way, the drive was 10 miles.

I fail to see how a few months - from March through June - would kill you.

[Anonymous]

I'd keep m kid in the same school. Your kindergartner spends all day there and has done so for about 90 days. That's a lot in the life of a 5 year old. While you say he's adaptable, it is nonetheless a huge chane in his world. Huge.

[Anonymous]

Move him, schools are good at helping with this. Kindergarten ears are adaptable, both your son and the kids in his new class. Think about summer. Schools out and youY be thinking- oh I'd love him to play with other kids from his class. And there won't be any yet. From friends who have done both- moved in the middle of the yr and the same people who moved during summer said the adjustment wS much easier mide of the yr. summer was tough with so much free time and no school to help with meeting others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you don't work, then I wouldn't pull your kid mid-year.

I work - early hours. When we moved, we figured out a way to balance out the commute to two different schools (former elementary school and a preschool). Each way, the drive was 10 miles.

I fail to see how a few months - from March through June - would kill you.

plus 1. agree

[Anonymous]

OP here, thanks for your feedback.

[Anonymous]

OP, I teach elementary school.

I think mid- year is a good time to start at a new school. The new child gets a lot of attention being the "new kid" and the teacher may help him make a few friends. He will be a new face in the school and will get shown around more, perhaps. He may make a local friend or two, especially if there's a club or class at school.

If you wait until next fall, your child will be starting as the new child in 1st grade, when it will be less obvious he is new. He will just be expected to be starting the new school year, like all the other 1st graders, and will have less support from the teacher, because all the kids will be new to her.

[Anonymous]

If you have an adaptable kid, I'd make the school switch along with your move.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you don't work, then I wouldn't pull your kid mid-year.

I work - early hours. When we moved, we figured out a way to balance out the commute to two different schools (former elementary school and a preschool). Each way, the drive was 10 miles.

I fail to see how a few months - from March through June - would kill you.

Agree.

On the other hand, switch now and he will make new friends before summer vacation.