So close....

[Dennis]

We're trying to get Joe in to a charter school for kindergarten. The application deadline was last month and I saw today on their website they had 330 applicants for 54 spots (for all grades). I called them to find out about Joe and he didn't get in. But the good news is he's first on the waiting list, so there's a really good chance he'll get in. They said they haven't notified everyone who got in yet, so some of them might not attend, or someone might drop out later on. Hopefully it will work out.

[EricaW]

I hope at least one person decides not to go. :)

[Irish Luck]

I'm sure once they start phoning around someone will pull out (it's amazing how quickly peoples circumstances can change), making an opening for Joe.

[magoo]

It's too bad that he's not assured a spot, but I imagine that with being first on the list, he'll get in. At least one of those 54 families has to move or change their minds.

[Alysia]

I hope it works out! :crossfing

[Jayne]

I have no doubt that he will get in. With people having to register their child so early they often do it just in case. Then they find that their child is just not ready for K so they pull out! I hope it all works out!

[Nadine]

I hope he will get in. His chances sound great!

[Alyssa]

What kind of charter school is it?

[Dennis]

Thanks everyone!

Alyssa, it's just a "regular" school - no special focus or anything. We like the curriculum and it's a small school and goes through 8th grade. We think it will be a much better fit for Joe than our neighborhood school.

[Alyssa]

Got it. We don't have many charter schools around here, but I thought a lot of them were special interest - like music, science, etc.

[Joan]

That is great Dennis! When will they let you know? Just curious but what was the criteria to get in? Was it a lottery?

[Dennis]

A lot of them are focused like that but a lot aren't. They just take advantage of the freedom to try different methods of teaching, discipline and so forth.

[Dennis]

Joan, it was just a straight lottery. They can't say for sure when we'll know - he could get in any time between now and October.

[Bonnie]

The chances sound very good, Dennis... good luck!

[Girlo]

I hope he gets in too! :crossfing

[MrsPeacefrog]

I am not too sure on what is a charter school, but I hope he gets in :aok:

[Clare]

Good luck! First on the waitlist sounds promising :aok:

[Dennis]

Deb, basically charter schools are public schools that are run by a group (usually parents) outside of the jurisdiction of the school board. They have to meet the basic standards of the public schools and do the standardized tests and so on, but they have a lot more flexibility in how they do things. Here's a website the explains it in much more detail if you're interested - http://www.uscharterschools.org/pub/uscs_docs/index.htm

We really like this school because it has smaller classes and is smaller overall. It also goes through 8th grade and our neigborhood middle school is huge, and we think Joe will do a lot better in a smaller school. We like the curriculum and they start Spanish in kindergarten - most public schools don't do foreign languages until middle school. They require uniforms and we really like their system for handling discipline. Here's their website if anyone is interested - http://www.highlineacademy.org/

[Wendy]

Good luck with getting in Dennis! Isnt the whole school thing such a PITA? Are you going to try and get Frances in the same school?

[Dennis]

Yes, we want Frances to go there as well. If Joe gets in, she'll get in automatically so we won't have to go through this again.

[Melissa]

Good luck!!!! :crossfing:

[Dennis]

This was fast - they called today and said he got in!!!!

[Karly]

:cheer: Yay, yay, yay!!!

[marcy]

:woo: Great news!

[valeria73]

That's awesome! Congratulations!

[Lyoshka]

Congrats, Dennis!!!!

[Clare]

:woo: That's fantastic!! Congratulations :banana:

[Jayne]

awesome awesome awesome!!!

[Mandi]

Wow, that's nice. Congrats!

[indie24]

Good luck Dennis

[jennp]

WOHOO! That must feel awesome! I can't wait until we hear about Connor's placement for next year!

[Dennis]

Thanks everyone! Of course now we have to figure out how we are going to coordinate dropping them off and picking them up at two different schools that are in opposite directions from our house. But I'm sure we'll manage.

[jennp]

We'll be in the same boat...at least they'll be at the same school soon!

[Suzi]

Oh Dennis, that is terrific!! I'm so glad it worked out!!

[Bonnie]

That is great news, Dennis! I'm sure you'll figure out all the logistics!

[Jayne]

what are the times that Joe will be at this school?

[Nadine]

:woo: Wonderful news!

[Dennis]

Jayne, it's a full day, I'm not sure of the exact times. And they also have before and after-school programs you can sign up for if you need to.

[Wendy]

Congratulations :)