Whittier vs Takoma

[Anonymous]

We are IB for Whittier, and have proximity preference for Takoma. I had the opportunity to take the Takoma EC tour, but was not able to make it to Whittier’s Open House. Takoma is slightly more convenient for us, but I am not convinced it’s the right school for my daughter. I’d love to hear from families with kids at these schools what their pros and cons of each are. My daughter will be entering PK3, but will be on the older side. She is very verbal and precocious, so I am looking for a school where she can thrive and be challenged. For this reason I liked the mixed age classroom at takoma EC. We will also have a number of charter schools on our list, but want to hear of these are good options.

[Anonymous]

Will you want mixed age for PK4 as well?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Will you want mixed age for PK4 as well?

it’s only offered for the PK3-4 grades, so not an option. I’m mostly just wanting her to be at a school where they’ll teach to the kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Will you want mixed age for PK4 as well?

it’s only offered for the PK3-4 grades, so not an option. I’m mostly just wanting her to be at a school where they’ll teach to the kid.

I mean would she be in a mixed PK 3-4 classroom for PK4 and are you ok with that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Will you want mixed age for PK4 as well?

it’s only offered for the PK3-4 grades, so not an option. I’m mostly just wanting her to be at a school where they’ll teach to the kid.

I mean would she be in a mixed PK 3-4 classroom for PK4 and are you ok with that?

Honestly I haven’t given the PK4 year a whole lot of thought, though obviously I should! I guess I’d probably prefer her to be among her cohort, so if she started out in a blended class, then to stay with those same kids for PK4.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Will you want mixed age for PK4 as well?

it’s only offered for the PK3-4 grades, so not an option. I’m mostly just wanting her to be at a school where they’ll teach to the kid.

I mean would she be in a mixed PK 3-4 classroom for PK4 and are you ok with that?

Honestly I haven’t given the PK4 year a whole lot of thought, though obviously I should! I guess I’d probably prefer her to be among her cohort, so if she started out in a blended class, then to stay with those same kids for PK4.

That isn't how it works. The PK4s would graduate and PK3s would enter, making her a Pk4 in a room of 3s and 4s. Outside of Montessori I am not aware of any schools mixing PK4s with Ks.

[Anonymous]

I only have experience are Whittier but the pre-K teachers there are really wonderful. Very nurturing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Will you want mixed age for PK4 as well?

it’s only offered for the PK3-4 grades, so not an option. I’m mostly just wanting her to be at a school where they’ll teach to the kid.

I mean would she be in a mixed PK 3-4 classroom for PK4 and are you ok with that?

Honestly I haven’t given the PK4 year a whole lot of thought, though obviously I should! I guess I’d probably prefer her to be among her cohort, so if she started out in a blended class, then to stay with those same kids for PK4.

That isn't how it works. The PK4s would graduate and PK3s would enter, making her a Pk4 in a room of 3s and 4s. Outside of Montessori I am not aware of any schools mixing PK4s with Ks.

Yes, I am aware of that. What I meant was that I would want for her to stay in the same classroom with the other students she was in PK3 with when they rose to PK4, understanding that there would be younger kids entering.

[Anonymous]

I believe Takoma is guaranteed for PK3 those that are IBs. Would you even be able to attend?

Also I attended Whittier open house and saw that they did have a mix room of PK3 and 4.

[Anonymous]

Takoma has one PK3-PK4 class and will add another next year. The early childhood teachers are great and really know how to differentiate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Takoma has one PK3-PK4 class and will add another next year. The early childhood teachers are great and really know how to differentiate.

The same is true of Whittier. Takoma has arts integration, and Whittier is STEM (with an increasing STEM integration next year). Takoma is bigger, and their facility is newer. The parent organizations are similarly active. I know a family that left Whittier to go to Takoma, and I know Takoma IB families that chose Whittier.