Anyone trying to get into a charter or other school?

[Dennis]

We applied to a charter school for Joe for kindergarten next year. It's a lottery so we just are hoping for the best - we'll find out in February if he gets in. I saw in Karly's journal that they did the same thing for Tyrus, so I figured I'll start a thread about it to see who else is doing it.

If you are applying to schools other than your local public school, why? Are you applying to just one school or several? And what are you going to do if your child doesn't get in?

[Dennis]

We've heard some things from some of our neighbors about our local school that don't thrill us, like they give a lot of homework in the early grades. And they have large class sizes.

We applied to two charter schools - one is in our district and it's the one we really want to get in to. It's a straight lottery, but a lot of the kindergarten spots get taken by siblings of older students, so that makes it harder to get in. We applied to another charter school that's not in our district and they have a wait list thing, so the sooner you apply the better your chance, but we applied pretty late. Apparently people put their kids on the waitlist when they are still 2 or 3 years away from kindergarten. And the in-district kids get priority, so we probably don't have a chance.

If Joe doesn't get into either of the other schools, we can live with the local one. The school has a really good reputation and good test scores. And it will be nice for him to make friends who live in the neighborhood. And we can apply to the charter school for first grade and maybe get in then.

Dennis

[Clare]

We put Emily's name down at the Catholic school we wanted when she was about a year old. I didn't realise you had to do it that early till people started asking me where we had her name down! We only applied for the one school and were lucky that she got in there. Siblings are in automatically so we don't have to worry about the boys, they're in already :)

[Karly]

What school district is the local school in, Dennis?

Yes, we did apply to put Tyrus (and hopefully A & C) to our local Charter school. Josh isn't thrilled with the local public schools and would rather not have our kids go there if possible. We can't afford private school in anyway, and so this Charter school is another option for us.

It's not a faith-based school, and it is tuition-free. He'll be required to wear a uniform and I'll have to drive him to school each day as there aren't any buses. One thing we're really excited about with it is that the student to teacher ration is 1-10, where as the public school is 1 - 20 or 30. I think this is excellent, and will hopefully cut down on kids "slipping through the cracks."

[Karly]

Oh! The other thing that excites us about this school is their test scores. The third graders here are required to take MEAP tests and this school has an average score of 95%, whereas the State of MI average for public schools is only 74% passing.

If he's not accepted, he will go to the local public elementary school. There is no way we could afford private schools right now.

[Dennis]

Karly, we're in the Denver school district and so is the charter school. The other charter school is in Cherry Creek.

[Karly]

That was my guess. I went to Smoky Hill, so I'm familiar with the Cherry Creek district - although I was a student then, not a parent trying make the right decision for my kids. :lol:

[Dennis]

Basically charter schools are public schools that are run independently of the local school district. Here's a site that provides more information - http://www.uscharterschools.org/pub/uscs_docs/o/definitions.htm Here's one of their definitions:

"Charter schools are semi-autonomous public schools, founded by educators, parents, community groups or private organizations that operate under a written contract with a state, district or other entity. This contract, or charter, details how the school will be organized and managed, what students will be taught and expected to achieve, and how success will be measured. Many charter schools enjoy freedom from rules and regulations affecting other public schools, as long as they continue to meet the terms of their charters. Charter schools can be closed for failing to satisfy these terms."

[Silke]

Virginia has only three charter schools and only for at risk students. Hmmm...wonder why it takes off in some states more than in others. We have only private school option, and with this job I could afford it again. I am definitely playing with the idea of taking Natascha back out of public school. That SOL is so full of crap.

[Silke]

Thank you. I really appreciate info on this topics because in Europe works totally different
You and me both :lol: I still don't get it all. :lol:

[Girlo]

WA doesn't have any charter or alternative schools (until you get to high school), so Alex will just go to the local elementary school here. :) It's a good one, so it's okay.

I've thought about a private/Montessori school for at least kindergarten, but it's a lot of money.

[Alysia]

WA doesn't have any charter or alternative schools (until you get to high school), so Alex will just go to the local elementary school here. :) It's a good one, so it's okay.

I've thought about a private/Montessori school for at least kindergarten, but it's a lot of money.

Good to know, Shannon. I didn't know that about WA. But, we are moving into a better school district so I think it should be okay!

[Clare]

For private and Catholic schools, can't you just go a year before they start and put their name in for the next year?

Not here. As I said, we had her name down for kindergarten since she was a year old. If we had tried to enroll a year before it would have been full already and she wouldn't have gotten in. And we've had her name down for high school since kindergarten.

[Clare]

Can you enroll your kid in first grade if she is not 6 by October 1. any exceptions to that rule? what if she is 6 by November 1?

Every school district is different. You'd have to check what the cutoffs are where you live.

[Dennis]

Virginia has only three charter schools and only for at risk students. Hmmm...wonder why it takes off in some states more than in others.

The laws vary by state. I know some states still don't allow them at all.

[Jayne]

We don't really have the option of Charter schools in our area. (well I could drive 30 minutes I suppose but that really isn't an option for us) We have one catholic school that goes to grade 6 but we are not catholic and we can't afford it. Our public school is by far not superior but it seems to finally be making some progress and I think we have a fantastic superintendent in our school finally that will make a difference. Tylor is in our public schools and doing well. Alyssa will also be going there.

I wish we had more options but I am not willing to leave the area so we have settled with what we have.

[Lissa]

We're looking at 2 different private schools in our area -- both religious as well. We are pretty sure we are going with school A and we have an "in" there -- DH's aunt has been the curiculum director there for 30 years.

You do have to get on a list way in advance of your child actually starting school but once you are in either school you are good through 12th grade.