OP here. The deposits for private is one of those issues that makes me cringe when I think about it - I'll definitely be looking into those policies, so thanks for that advice!

Your question re: the French is very interesting! I was bilingual by the end of high school...now clearly NOT bilingual. But I do think I could teach a Kindergarten amount of French pretty handily....so knowing there is the option to test in and perhaps join in Grade 1 if we're not successful in K is great to know. Thank you! And congrats on getting one of those coveted spots!

Are you fluent in French? Are you teaching your children french at home? I ask because the lottery for RGFI is only for kindergarten and you have to test in for subsequent grades. So even if you miss out in kindy there is a chance your child can test in in 1st grade if there is any changes in enrollment. I have a child there and so far we love it. They have multiple open houses so go to their website and look for the dates. The lottery is in early January. There is not much to do outside of the application, the nerve-wracking part is when you are dealing with competing deadlines from privates. I would just make sure that if you have to make a deposit on one of the privates, ask what there policy is if you end up changing your mind.

Thanks for this info on St. Jerome's - I'm really curious about it and this makes me more so. Glad to hear it's a warm and creative environment. Tho this makes sense considering how positive the buzz is about it, particularly since an apparent administrative change. I appreciate the info and opinion!

FYI, St. Jerome has a Montessori program for 18 months - 6 years as well as its Classical K-8 school. Five-year-olds can be enrolled either in the Montessori Primary or the Classical kindergarten. First grade is a bridge year with Classical content and some Montessori methods. Interesting mix.

I would not call St. Jerome's approach 'rigid' -- it's actually on the other side of the spectrum, for a parochial school ...