We are in the process of the Kindergarten Shuffle. In our county we are given a base school and then a year round or traditional (or 2 year round options like we do) that we can apply to if we feel it is a better fit. Then of course we are given the Charter and Magnet options and private. It is mind boggling- all the information- all the pros and cons. I have weighed everything and there is no perfect school- there is no perfect option.
Some have better classrooms, or playgrounds, or "specials" (art, PE, music etc), some have more parent involvement, lower student teacher ratios, better test scores, happier teachers, better security, different teaching styles, higher costs, newer buildings, etc. How do you make a decision?
What it all comes down to is that you make the best decision based on the information you have available. You don't know what the ratios will be next year, you don't know who the teachers will be, what safety concerns are going to come up, who will be in his class etc.
We have done tours and research and I think what it will come down to is a feeling. All the choices we have are good ones, students do well, are safe and taken care of. So we just not to try the place that we connected with the best. We just have to remember that the choice is changeable. If we don't like it I can home school until the end of the year and transfer to another school for first grade- or explore other options. We are lucky that we are in a good district and we have the flexibility of me being at home. Hopefully it all works out well! There will be more posts to come I have no doubt.
