I agree with the above commenters. We are in immersion and can’t switch back if we don’t like the center. If we were at our base school, we’d go try the center, no question.

There's a big group of third graders moving together - fewer 4th graders. Move now, switch back if needed

Try the center, switch back if it isn't great. Your kid will already know other children at your base school. It'll be an easier move if you have to move back.

OP - similar situation. We are choosing center.

Would join center now and switch back if that doesn’t work out next year

Definitely try the center next year. In addition to the above the other kids will have already made friends in 3rd making it tougher to switch in 4th.

you already know how the local school is like. you can try the center for a year and then choose.

You always have the choice to go back to your local. I think you have to wait for the next school year to switch to center

We are torn on choosing the center or the local AAP program. Both have pros, both have cons. Spouse is leaning strongly one way, I’m leaning slightly another. Kid is leaning slightly my way.

If we say to ourselves “we’ll try one option for a year and reevaluate,” which way is easier to switch in the future? Easier to switch back to local after a year, or easier to switch to center after a year?

Kid is in 3rd grade now, if it matters.