Advice- Accepted into PreK3 Hoyer Mont, but zoned for Whitehall

[Anonymous]

Looking for advice-- I just found out my three year old got into the pre-k3 program at Judith Hoyer Montessori. The thing is, our neighborhood school is Whitehall Elementary. Ratings on School Digger and Great Schools have Whitehall rated significantly higher than Hoyer. Does it even make sense to accept the spot at Hoyer (if money was no object)? Currently, we have our daughter in a great daycare center that has a strong pre-k program. I don't want to make her change schools several times, so we either stick with the center until kindergarten starts at Whitehall or move to Hoyer for good now. Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Stay with your current daycare center. That way she only has to change schools once. Whitehall is one of the best elementary schools in the county.

From a PG county teacher

[Anonymous]

If your local school is good, stick with that. There are lots of people with not good schools that would love your Hoyer spot. Also, Great Schools and the like are terrible for judging the quality of the school. They reflect the socioeconomic of the school more than anything. Aka: schools with high numbers of minorities = lower ratings.

[Anonymous]

Also, how far away si Hoyer from your house if you are zoned for Whitehall? The commute alone would not be worth it for my kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Looking for advice-- I just found out my three year old got into the pre-k3 program at Judith Hoyer Montessori. The thing is, our neighborhood school is Whitehall Elementary. Ratings on School Digger and Great Schools have Whitehall rated significantly higher than Hoyer. Does it even make sense to accept the spot at Hoyer (if money was no object)? Currently, we have our daughter in a great daycare center that has a strong pre-k program. I don't want to make her change schools several times, so we either stick with the center until kindergarten starts at Whitehall or move to Hoyer for good now. Thoughts?

If I were in your situation, I would keep her at her current daycare and then send her on to Whitehall (it is one of the best schools in the county).

Is the PK3 day at Hoyer even a full day? That was one of the reasons we didn't even bother to apply for the 3 and 4 year old programs, because we would have needed to send them to daycare in the afternoon anyway.

[Anonymous]

Pre-K 3 is not a full day program and I know that childcare is an issue for a bunch of families. I would stay where you are.

[Anonymous]

OP here-- Thanks everyone for the advice!!

Hoyer PK3 is part-time only, and yes, it's about 20 minutes away from our house (and in the opposite direction of my job). So logistically, it will be a challenge. With a 3-year old, a 1-year old, and a baby on the way, my husband and I are starting to talk about the possibility of me staying home, and having a free part-time pre-k option is something that would def be a factor in our decision. But yeah, I just can't get over the fact that Whitehall seems like such a great program.

[Anonymous]

Judith P Hoyer's rating has really fallen. We looked at this school a few years ago and they had a 7, now they have a 5. That would definitely give me pause. Whitehall has a 9 and appears to be a blue ribbon school. I'd go for the better rated school personally.

[Anonymous]

I would not bother with the PK 3 program if I were working and it were out of my way. If I were not working, I would think about it more, but only if I were willing to drive back and forth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Looking for advice-- I just found out my three year old got into the pre-k3 program at Judith Hoyer Montessori. The thing is, our neighborhood school is Whitehall Elementary. Ratings on School Digger and Great Schools have Whitehall rated significantly higher than Hoyer. Does it even make sense to accept the spot at Hoyer (if money was no object)? Currently, we have our daughter in a great daycare center that has a strong pre-k program. I don't want to make her change schools several times, so we either stick with the center until kindergarten starts at Whitehall or move to Hoyer for good now. Thoughts?

Similar situation for us. I'm a stay at home mom with 4 kids. We got into Hoyer, but our neighrbood school scores better and we like our daycare. I think we are going to Hoyer because we want the Montessori experience (I had it and loved it), will save 30K in two years that can go towards college, and can always go to our IB school if it doesn't work out. I agree about greatschool scores. It's best to break down the scores by your child's demographic to get a better idea. It's hard because we all want the best for our kids. Good luck neighbor!

[Anonymous]

Have you attended an open house at Hoyer or spoken to current parents? We have been at the school for two years and are very pleased. My son was reading by the middle of his second year at 4. If you really value montessori education, I think you should at least check it out before making a final decision. I can't weigh in on your local school as I am not familiar with it.

Also, there are several programs that provide care for the half day students although of course if you are home that is not a concern.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Also, there are several programs that provide care for the half day students although of course if you are home that is not a concern.

Good luck!

Can you please share the names of the programs that offer care for the half day students? Thanks!