What's the scoop re EW Stokes, especially younger grades?

[Anonymous]

Anyone have first-hand experience to share? We love the bilingual slant (and would be more interested in Spanish than French), so would be curious to hear how that's working for kids who speak only English at home. We also really like the idea of PE every day, but are curious how that works out without a gym or a playground (right?). Thoughts on the aftercare? Ethnic diversity -- more specifically, if we enroll our DS in PS next year, is he likely to be the only white kid? And, of course, we're interested in all the usual stuff -- principal, teachers, kids, facilities, parent group, etc. Many thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

My daughter is in a spanish immersion program, although not at Stokes. We only speak English at home and she is thriving in the target language! I do make every effort to reinforce the language outside of school. We have several CDs of spanish kids songs and when they watch DVDs, such as Barney, we switch the language to Spanish.

I've heard some children "resist" the language at first, but that was not our experience at all. After the first two weeks of PK complaining that she didn't understand anything they were saying, she hasn't complained since. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Hi OP: To answer a few questions and clear up a few facts.

1) Stokes has a BIG, beautiful playground. Its located on a lovely street and setting.
2) Stokes is diverse, and by diverse I mean it has a significant white population, significant Hispanic Population, and significant black population.
3) Aftercare: can't speak to that. Don't know many kids in it.
4) Feel of the school. warm, fuzzy, responsive, and kind.

[Anonymous]

FWIW, a relative who works professionally in bilingual education visited Stokes (several years ago now) to evaluate it for work. When I was applying for my DD to several private school immersion language programs, this relative said that Stokes' program was very good and recommended I consider it.

Ultimately, I did not consider it because the test scores were poor (not just a little worse, but much worse than west of the park schools), although bilingual professional relative did not think that the test scores should be determinative.

BTW, this is the school that the Bush daughter taught at.

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much, PPs -- that's all very helpful! I'll definitely add Stokes to my open house list.