Public school for child who needs small classes????

[Anonymous]

So, is a child who is otherwise very bright, but cannot function well in a 'large' (over 15) classroom setting just 'out of luck' in the area public schools? Are there no options other than paying for private school?

[Anonymous]

The City of Falls Church has a highly regarded but small school system with smaller class sizes.

[Anonymous]

Where are you located?

[Anonymous]

Look for Title I schools where the extra funds are used to help ESOL students and students in poverty, and with that comes required smaller class sizes.

[Anonymous]

Campbell Elementary in Arlington might still have smallish classes - I think they're under 18-20 kids

[Anonymous]

I do not think you will find class size under 15 students in public schools with the exception of Title 1 schools.

I know that many lower grades at some of the Arlington and DC schools have an FT assistant in the classroom so the student tacher ratio is a lot closer to 10:1

[Anonymous]

Last year my nieces' K class at Abingdon Elemenary in Arlington had 16-18 students.

[Anonymous]

Class size smaller than 15 will be challenging to find even in the privates ... unless having 2 full time teachers (not just a teacher and a FT assistant) makes a difference to you. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

OP, you need to look at schools with fewer than 15 bodies in the room. Do not put her in a setting with say 20 kids and two teachers. Research that looks at a child's engagement in class has to do with the number of people in the room. Not the student teacher ratio. That said, one teacher 14 kids is better than two teachers 20 kids. It is not easy to find in private schools. They do the ratio thing. This is an issue for most kids until 3rd grade. after that it does not seem to matter as much. Look at some kindergartens that are attached to nursery schools. I wish the public schools would make class size a priority in the first few grades, then expand the class sizes later.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the PP about looking for a Title I school. My son will start school tomorrow in a FCPS Kindergarten class of 21 students with two teachers and one aide.

[Anonymous]

Abingdon is Title I. Patrick Henry is also fairly small (and Title I). Note that you aren't guaranteed a ratio like that if the population changes or if the local folks discover what a good school it is.

[Anonymous]

Have you explored an IEP or 504?

[Anonymous]

I am so glad to see this discussion. I am also a mom who has very smart (bilingual) boy, who can not function in a classroom with lots of kid. Any advice with regards to good public schools would be highly appreciated. Sorry I moved from another country, and would appreciate if somenoe could tell me what is Title 1 school, and what is IEP or 504?
Million thanks,
Sabina

[Anonymous]

Title I refers to the part of law that authorizes additional monies to schools "For The Education Of Children Of Low-Income Families". A title I school typically has around 40% or more of its students that come from families that qualify under the United States Census's definitions as low-income.

IEP stands for an Individualized Education Plan. A short description here - If your child is evaluated and diagnosed as having a learning disability, a IEP is developed. It is a plan on how your childs educational needs will be met.

Here is a link to the difference between an IEP and a 504 plan:
http://specialchildren.about.com/od/504s/f/504faq2.htm

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you explored an IEP or 504?

I can't imagine an IEP or 504 which specifies class size (or staff:student ratio) unless it's talking about a separate, Special Education class. The closest I've ever seen is class size for a full time, Special Ed class, or testing to take place in a small, nondistracting environment.