11:38, you are lucky and certainly NOT the norm from what I know about the kinderg. in our FCPS (and other FCPSs). My child (who was on the very young side when he started) was bored pretty much all the time. S/he learned to read b/c of an older sibling doing reading homework. Child who just finished kinderg. actually doesn't like school b/c it's "boring." Child is able to read at DRA level 16-18 b/c of what was learned at home. The amount of time spent at "centers" seems wasted. The only noticeable thing that child learned in kindergarten was to write strings of letters to form words/sentences about a topic. That's important, but after seeing my kids go through public school in the lower grades, I can totally see why home schoolers can get everything done in 3-4 hours... the rest of the day in public school is fluffy.

I bet they will do a lot of small group teaching so kids get ind. attention. With an assistant it is a better ratio as well. Do parents volunteer at the school as well?

Most kids are fine in a large class. Some kids aren't. I'd just pay close attention and see how it goes.

Anonymous wrote:OP, it will be o.k. I promise. I know you are freaking out and I would have done the same thing in your situation. My kids have had 29 in kinder and 30 in other grades (no assistant then). Somehow, they will do o.k. Truth is that kids don't really learn a whole lot in kindergarten. You will teach your child to read at home. The rest of what they are doing is maturing and slowly learning to write sentences (of loosely spelled sounds). There's a lot of fluff.

I know you think education is "the most important thing" but your child has a long road of education ahead of him/her. It will be o.k.

Wrong. My son learned a great deal in kindergarten. He started at level 2 reading and finished at level 11 (chapter books). That's only reading.

There were 27 children in his class and one teacher. It'll be fine, but it's not all fluff.

OP, it will be o.k. I promise. I know you are freaking out and I would have done the same thing in your situation. My kids have had 29 in kinder and 30 in other grades (no assistant then). Somehow, they will do o.k. Truth is that kids don't really learn a whole lot in kindergarten. You will teach your child to read at home. The rest of what they are doing is maturing and slowly learning to write sentences (of loosely spelled sounds). There's a lot of fluff.

I know you think education is "the most important thing" but your child has a long road of education ahead of him/her. It will be o.k.

Anonymous wrote:I assume the OP was not thrilled w 27 - but thought that it could be managed. But 30 is just too much.
Think about the space - they need to put in another table into an already full room.

OP -where are you located? You are pretty late in the game to find a private school with space.

Thank you,, pp, that was exactly my thought! I was certainly not happy with 27 kids, but when i heard last night there are goi.g to be 30 kids i was really shocked. I immediately thought, whete else can we go. 30 is Way too many students For kindergarten, even if there is an assistant. Wr are very lucky to get into this program but i am seriously having second thoughts. Maybe though it will be ok?

My DD had 29 in grade 1 with a terrific teacher and she still thinks it was her best school year. The teacher was able to do alot for her in the year dispite the class size. Since your options are few at the moment, spend some time in the classroom to get an idea of whether the teacher is making it work or not.

The school I teach at had 27 kids per K class w/ one floating assistant that all 4 classes shared. Good teachers make it work.

I assume the OP was not thrilled w 27 - but thought that it could be managed. But 30 is just too much.
Think about the space - they need to put in another table into an already full room.

OP -where are you located? You are pretty late in the game to find a private school with space.

Not sure why 3 kids would make a difference. Sure, it's a big class, but 27 vs 30?

Are you in FCPS? I actually think 30 in K isn't as bad as say 27-28 in 1st since they lose the assistant. I would actually say try K there, you may be happy with it...there is much more emphasis on socialization than academics. Also, write letters to the school board to help reduce class size.

Where are you, OP?

Yes. I am! I think 3 students even makes a difference

You're ok with 27 but not 30?

Went to an orientation last night and fould out ds will be in a kindergarten class with 30 kids! We were originally told there would be 27, At the most, 28. Now they have capped At 30! It is also a language immersion program and i think it is way too many kids! What would you do, change schools or stay? Try to find funds to go private? Thanks. I should mention there will be one teacher and one assistant.