https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 05 Apr 2026 02:32:31 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-needed-for-possibly-switching-schools#post-2844938 Wed, 12 Sep 2018 11:57:36 +0000 birdofafeather 2844938@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>having just had #3 5 months ago with R in K full time now, we also went with the easiest neighborhood option, which was actually our preferred option (it's a two-way immersion program for spanish which we're super excited about). but i looked into homeschooling, the local charter (for regular and their homeschool program) and i decided that the easier option was the best for us. we're in a district that does school of choice so if this school doesn't work for us long term, we can always go somewhere else. i'm so thankful the school is a 4 minute walk from our house with 3 to get out of the house! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-needed-for-possibly-switching-schools#post-2844415 Mon, 10 Sep 2018 07:31:34 +0000 looch 2844415@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I send my son to a school that is not in our town, and I have to be honest, one of the difficult parts about it is that when I am done working for the day and we are home, it's very difficult for me to go back to the school town and participate in events in the evening and on the weekends. I didn't anticipate that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-needed-for-possibly-switching-schools#post-2844363 Sun, 09 Sep 2018 19:38:48 +0000 cat620 2844363@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gotkimchi: I'm pretty sure we listened to the same podcast!</p> <p>Like others have said, I would do whatever is easier for you, especially if your son seems happy at his current school and is developing friendships there. You can always change schools in the future if you decide it would be a better fit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-needed-for-possibly-switching-schools#post-2844351 Sun, 09 Sep 2018 17:04:13 +0000 Ajsmommy 2844351@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm another vote for easiest. We actually just switched DD from one preschool to another simply bc of convenience. I was worried about disrupting her and worried she'd have a hard time transitioning and miss her friends... But the switch means I don't have to make lunches anymore and dh can do drop offs too now instead of just me. After just one week it's so awesome and I'm so glad we made the switch to easiest!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-needed-for-possibly-switching-schools#post-2844348 Sun, 09 Sep 2018 16:13:16 +0000 hitchhiker 2844348@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just came to say yay for B'more city kids! My oldest just started K at our neighborhood school. </p> <p>As I think you know, either school will probably be good for your kid, so I think it makes sense to pick the easy logistics. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-needed-for-possibly-switching-schools#post-2844340 Sun, 09 Sep 2018 14:01:56 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2844340@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pollywog: that just seems out of proportion to how many kids are actually in K though. But there definitely could be some easily explained reasons!<br /> @Katrocap: Ultimately I think you have to go with your gut. We are going through something similar with my second's preschool. Every single one of us could say stay with the neighborhood school and it could still be the wrong choice. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-needed-for-possibly-switching-schools#post-2844335 Sun, 09 Sep 2018 13:31:05 +0000 misolee 2844335@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I vote for going with the easiest. Mom of 3 here with my first also in kinder. Kids will thrive wherever they are and your son seems to like and adjusting well. </p> <p>The point you made where your neighbor picked up your kid when school closed early is really important. What would happen if your son was in charter and they were out ...do you have alternatives? It is so much easier to be in schools with people you know and trust and can help out in a pinch. I do two drop offs bc of age. The kindergartener had early release the other day but it coincided with my son’s pick up time bc he’s only in half day preschool. My neighbor whose son is in the same school picked her up and had her for a little bit while I got my son. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-needed-for-possibly-switching-schools#post-2844330 Sun, 09 Sep 2018 12:56:38 +0000 Katrocap 2844330@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pollywog: I've always dropped DS off at daycare/nursery school, so I was THRILLED when we decided to send him to the neighborhood school knowing DH would walk him, especially once I found out I was pregnant. Two drop offs seems overwhelming, and since DS would be so far from home, I'd always have to be the one to pick him up, whereas now DH could walk and get him if he's sick or I have to stay late at work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-needed-for-possibly-switching-schools#post-2844329 Sun, 09 Sep 2018 12:54:20 +0000 Katrocap 2844329@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@2littlepumpkins: Good point about the waitlist numbers. Originally he was #34 on the waitlist when the school did the lottery in February (almost all charters in our district are by lottery). By the time parents had to make their decisions or lose their spots, he'd moved up to #18. However, we didn't think there would be that much movement afterwards. I think the reason we got called is less reflective on the quality of the school and more because families ahead of us had already made decisions about placements, but it's still something to think about! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-needed-for-possibly-switching-schools#post-2844328 Sun, 09 Sep 2018 12:51:29 +0000 Katrocap 2844328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gotkimchi: Thanks for your input! I like the idea from that podcast that doing what is "best" might mean what is "easiest". And, you're right, when it comes down to it, my kid will thrive either way. We live in Baltimore City, and are extremely lucky that our zoned school is safe, generally well-run and desirable to out-of-zone families. We are lucky, too, to even have the option of the charter, even if it's a tough call. We have asked DS, and try to take his opinion into account in situations like this. When he heard that I'd drive him to the charter school instead of him having to walk, he instantly said he'd like to go there. But we live in the middle of the city and want to encourage walking places, for both health and environmental reasons. Today he said although the charter school sounds good, he thinks he'd rather stay where he is because his friends are there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-needed-for-possibly-switching-schools#post-2844327 Sun, 09 Sep 2018 12:47:16 +0000 Katrocap 2844327@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bhbee: Thanks for your feedback! I really appreciate what you said about the morning stress carrying over to my kids. My husband pointed that out, too. I often don't realize that something that might seem selfish to me (foregoing the charter school because it will impact my morning and commute so much) is actually not, since it will be better for my family.</p> <p>@annem1990; @crazydoglady: I value your perspectives on charter schools. I'm a teacher in the same district, but a traditional school. My state, Maryland, has pretty good charter school laws, but there are definitely some bad charter schools in our district, some of which have shut down. This one is run less like a business than others, and does seem to be genuinely good, in terms of class size, teacher turnover, student mobility rate and community building. That being said, as an ardent anti-Betsy DeVos-er, I wouldn't feel entirely comfortable sending a kid of mine to a charter school. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-needed-for-possibly-switching-schools#post-2844293 Sun, 09 Sep 2018 08:30:37 +0000 crazydoglady 2844293@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@annem1990: As a former charter school teacher (I only lasted for a year there,) I absolutely agree. There are many amazing charters out there and then those that look truly amazing, but have high teacher turnover/ shortchange kids on services, etc </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-needed-for-possibly-switching-schools#post-2844291 Sun, 09 Sep 2018 08:02:14 +0000 annem1990 2844291@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As a former teacher, I’d say just be really careful about your expectations of a charter school. People often seem to have these ideas that charter school = better. It is so not true. They are often worse. They do not have to follow the same guidelines as public schools so their scores are often skewed. They usually advertise to families which can be subconsciously appealing. Public schools do not do this and thus can look less progressive. Charter schools are run more like a business in order to attract students (and thus be funded!). </p> <p>I’m not saying this one is bad, some are excellent!! Just that it’s something to really think about before you make a decision. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-needed-for-possibly-switching-schools#post-2844288 Sun, 09 Sep 2018 07:19:21 +0000 gotkimchi 2844288@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I listened to a podcast once of a mom with 5 kids and she basically said do whatever is easiest - she had tried everything, public, parochial, homeschool etc. sometimes I think we place too much weight on things being the “best”. Your kids will thrive either way. So do what will work for now. Maybe that will change later. Also, have you asked your son his opinion? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-needed-for-possibly-switching-schools#post-2844286 Sun, 09 Sep 2018 07:03:12 +0000 Pollywog 2844286@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd leave him unless you already don't love the neighborhood school. Two drop offs and the earlier mornings on top of changing his routine after school started just seem like too much.</p> <p>One thing to consider, is the charter school actually a better school? I'm an Ed researcher and am always surprised that normally the schools are worse or equal to the public schools. Some are good, but at my old district there were wait lists 100 kids long for a school that was way worse than their neighborhood schools (in terms of academic performance, school climate, and student engagement).</p> <p>I'm not surprised that they got to #18 on the weight list. Probably one parent pulled their kid (moved/,got into a different school) and then few parents wanted to switch after school started. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-needed-for-possibly-switching-schools#post-2844277 Sun, 09 Sep 2018 00:17:43 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2844277@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also a mom of 3 here, not woh ft at the moment but I think I will be sometime this school year... I agree with @bhbee: ... also I really would be suspicious of why they got to #18 on the waitlist for a school of 150. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-needed-for-possibly-switching-schools#post-2844271 Sat, 08 Sep 2018 22:08:21 +0000 bhbee 2844271@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So as someone who had a baby right before school started and is currently stressed out by two drop offs (can’t avoid because of ages) I vote leave him at neighborhood school for this year. Because the stress of logistics is real and that stress will carry over to your kids, I don’t always like how I act when we are running behind and losing 45min a day would be tough. Unless you really dislike the neighborhood school I’d consider just applying again to the charter for next year (assuming that’s an option). Who knows by then you may even have a different perspective on the neighborhood school, who knows but regardless the experience may be useful. My oldest also goes to a big school (7 kinder classes last year!) but with good friends and a good teacher I think that’s fine, especially short term. Oh also, this third pregnancy I was SO tired and kept getting sick and being super close to school was a godsend. </p> <p>Sorry for the rambling but do what makes life easier for everyone! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/advice-needed-for-possibly-switching-schools#post-2844268 Sat, 08 Sep 2018 21:42:26 +0000 Katrocap 2844268@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>First a little backgrounds before I get to our dilemma ...</p> <p>My son just started kindergarten at his neighborhood school this week. It's a traditional, large public school (800 kids) that's only a mile from our house, which is great because we have one car (that I drive to work), so my husband walks DS to school in the mornings. The school is in the same neighborhood as the nursery school DS attended, twelve of his classmates from nursery school are at his new school and one of his best friends from nursery school sits next to him in class. Also, our across the street neighbors send their PK and 1st grade boys to the same school. In fact, since it was so hot this week and the school closed 3 hours early each day, our neighbor picked up our son with his boys and watched him at their house until I got home from work.</p> <p>Here's the predicament - Friday afternoon, a nearby public charter school that was our first pick for kindergarten called and offered us a spot. DS had been #18 on the waitlist, so we had long ago ruled this school out as a possibility. The charter school is small and cozy (150 kids). Their progressive philosophies align closely to ours: no homework, de-emphasis on testing, more outside time everyday. One friend from nursery school attends the charter school, so there would be a familiar face. It's also 3 miles away from home. I would have to drive DS everyday (which I did for nursery school) which would mean leaving the house at 6:15am instead of 7:00am. I'm also pregnant, so when DD comes, we'd need to find a daycare close to the charter school because I'd be doing both drop-offs in the morning.</p> <p>We have to decide by Monday. As soon as the charter school called I felt sick because I'd come to terms with him attending his neighborhood school, even if it's more rigid and conservative than I'd prefer. Switching schools right now seems disruptive, especially since DS has friends and has made friends and we're becoming part of a community. And the stress of leaving 45 minutes early and having two drop offs is NOT appealing. That being said, I worry I'm being selfish by giving so much weight to the logistics of the situation and maybe I'm truly more worried about the disruption the switch would cause me. Ugh!</p> <p>Thanks for reading this. Any and all advice is appreciated! </p>