https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 28 Apr 2026 13:07:41 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-have-their-kid-attend-their-neighbourhood-school#post-2842137 Tue, 28 Aug 2018 10:47:31 +0000 lindseykaye 2842137@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rocker2014: This happened to me too! My school accepted across the whole (large) county so I also had friends who lived literally an hour away from me. Our parents ended up taking turns, or doing a half-way meetup for us to pickup/drop off for hanging out or sleepovers which seemed to be a good compromise. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-have-their-kid-attend-their-neighbourhood-school#post-2842134 Tue, 28 Aug 2018 10:22:43 +0000 Foodnerd81 2842134@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gestalt: it’s not exactly the same, but I switched schools going into third grade and don’t remember it being a bad experience at all. I was the new girl but made friends easily (and I wasn’t an outgoing kid at all). But as @Rocker2014: mentioned, it was harder in my parents because they had to drive me to friends houses that were further away. The school I attended was definitely better than my local school, but my parents also wanted us in catholic school anyway. Another con for them- I couldn’t get a bus because we were outside of their bussing area. But socially it was totally fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-have-their-kid-attend-their-neighbourhood-school#post-2842120 Tue, 28 Aug 2018 08:23:22 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2842120@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have found that this seems to be more and more common. Granted florida is an open enrollment state, meaning if there is an open seat, you can apply for it. So there is a lot of mixing up. There are some cons like not having play dates with friends at her school, but it hasn't been bad. We try to make an effort to go to school functions and she always finds someone to hang with! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-have-their-kid-attend-their-neighbourhood-school#post-2842015 Mon, 27 Aug 2018 12:40:23 +0000 Rocker2014 2842015@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not an issue for LO yet, but I went to private school in a neighborhood where almost all the kids went to the local public school. It was never an issue for me, I loved having "school friends" and "neighborhood" friends to hang out with. </p> <p>I will mention that it ended up being a huge strain on my parents because my school attracted youth from a large area, and they often had to drive me an hour each way to my school friend's birthday parties and playdates! :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-have-their-kid-attend-their-neighbourhood-school#post-2841910 Sun, 26 Aug 2018 21:23:53 +0000 Sams Mom 2841910@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@dc yoga bee: exactly, like yes I was one of the lifers in the military town but people came and went all the time. Kids adapt so fast, vs even middle school/high school when everything gets so awkward. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-have-their-kid-attend-their-neighbourhood-school#post-2841883 Sun, 26 Aug 2018 17:48:56 +0000 MrsDynamiteGal 2841883@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So far none of my kids have attended their neighborhood school. Each has gone to a location with a more or less 10 minute commute. Our reasons have been numerous:</p> <p>- neighborhood school only provided half day preschool versus full day.<br /> - we've already established relationships at one of the schools<br /> - academics </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-have-their-kid-attend-their-neighbourhood-school#post-2841874 Sun, 26 Aug 2018 16:32:47 +0000 dc yoga bee 2841874@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: This too. My family was military and my brother and I always switched schools every two years. So, it doesn't seem as big of a deal to me. But, every child is different. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-have-their-kid-attend-their-neighbourhood-school#post-2841636 Fri, 24 Aug 2018 15:33:43 +0000 gestalt 2841636@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: @Sams Mom: Yes, it is a magnet school. I reached out to the administration office and found out there are a few other kids in her class who will be new to the school. They will also pair her up with another student who "loves new kids" so that she won't feel lost on her first day. Thank you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-have-their-kid-attend-their-neighbourhood-school#post-2841068 Wed, 22 Aug 2018 11:08:43 +0000 Sams Mom 2841068@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is a totally different aspect, but I grew up in a military town, so I had friends come and go every few years. When there was always new kids coming and going you just kind of fell into a group of friends until your parents were re-stationed. I think she will come out of it fine, and like @looch: said, if it's a magnet school there are probably kids coming in at every grade level. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-have-their-kid-attend-their-neighbourhood-school#post-2841061 Wed, 22 Aug 2018 11:00:24 +0000 looch 2841061@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gestalt: Is it a magnet school? If so, I think you might find that there is a lot of movement in the school in terms of new kids coming in at all grade levels. That's how it is at my son's school. It's not just the incoming K that has new kids, it's all the grades. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-have-their-kid-attend-their-neighbourhood-school#post-2841059 Wed, 22 Aug 2018 10:59:14 +0000 gestalt 2841059@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lindseykaye: All of these comments are really making me tear up (with hope)! Thank you :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-have-their-kid-attend-their-neighbourhood-school#post-2841056 Wed, 22 Aug 2018 10:45:42 +0000 lindseykaye 2841056@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gestalt: Just chiming in from my own childhood experience as well. I left our neighborhood school in 6th grade to go a G&amp;T magnet that was about a 20-25 min drive away. It is a grade 2-12 school and a LOT of the kids knew each other from elementary where I only knew two other kids who were transferring there from my own elementary G&amp;T program.</p> <p>She'll find that while yes, lots of kids are already friends, there will be other new kids like her too! And there's a benefit to kids being friends already in that when you make one friend, you more easily meet and become friends with their friends as well.<br /> I also noticed that when I went to my G&amp;T school, I hung out with my neighborhood friends who went to a different school more often on the weekends because I didn't get to see them every day. Then I repeated this process in reverse for to attend the local high school, and I once more only knew about 3 kids transferring from my G&amp;T school. Everyone else had been going to elementary and middle together. I flipped and started seeing my former G&amp;T school friends more on the weekends and my neighborhood school friends during the week AT school, etc. </p> <p>Kids are resilient. And finding the small things she can look forward to, and having a proactive parent like you to help facilitate friendships in and outside school will be a great benefit. Having a mom and dad who were willing to drive me way out of the way to hang out with new school friends was really awesome, and their encouraging me to keep neighborhood friendships strong while I met new kids was really beneficial. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-have-their-kid-attend-their-neighbourhood-school#post-2841048 Wed, 22 Aug 2018 10:28:17 +0000 gestalt 2841048@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@2littlepumpkins: I have a few friends whose kids don't go to their neighbourhood school and they don't regret it at all either! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-have-their-kid-attend-their-neighbourhood-school#post-2841047 Wed, 22 Aug 2018 10:27:13 +0000 gestalt 2841047@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrsbells: we also picked our neighbourhood based on the school, but a lot of things happened from the time we bought our house :meh: </p> <p>@MamaCate: She is entering the school as a second grader (long story) so it will be a little tougher. She is quite sad that she won't know anyone. </p> <p>@dc yoga bee: @katsupgirl: Most of the kids in our neighbourhood go to the local school. But i'm glad to know i'm not alone! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-have-their-kid-attend-their-neighbourhood-school#post-2840971 Tue, 21 Aug 2018 23:44:16 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2840971@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My child goes to our school, but I didn't. I went to a private school because it was better. I had two sets of friends- the neighborhood kids and my school friends. (And extracurricular friends..) But I only lived there as a younger child. Dh went to school out of his district middle school through high school, and he kind of lost touch with his neighborhood friends but made new ones and doesn't regret it at all because the education he received was far superior. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-have-their-kid-attend-their-neighbourhood-school#post-2840954 Tue, 21 Aug 2018 20:37:53 +0000 MamaCate 2840954@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gestalt: you can do it! Ultimately you are the parent and you and DH are making a thoughtful decision. One of the nice things about kindergarten is most everyone is new to the school in some capacity so they are ready to make new friends. </p> <p>Our now first grader goes to a public school that is not our district school. It is about a 20 minute drive. We feel good about the decision and it has gone well for us. The kids in the neighborhood go to a few different schools and it has not been an issue.</p> <p>I think it is also okay to validate your feelings and your DD’s feelings. Kindergarten and a new school are big changes and it is okay to feel anxious and have mixed feelings. You just think this will be the best school for her and you will be there to help her get used to it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-have-their-kid-attend-their-neighbourhood-school#post-2840922 Tue, 21 Aug 2018 16:44:34 +0000 katsupgirl 2840922@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DD goes out of neighborhood/district for her G&amp;T program. It's like 10-15 mins by car in city traffic. We have a school right across the street but it didn't have a G&amp;T program. All of the neighborhood kids are older anyway. Two kids from her Pre-k go to her school so that was nice. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-have-their-kid-attend-their-neighbourhood-school#post-2840891 Tue, 21 Aug 2018 14:49:00 +0000 Mrsbells 2840891@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gestalt: we picked our neighborhood based on the school, but if we didnt live near a school we liked we would do the same thing </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-have-their-kid-attend-their-neighbourhood-school#post-2840890 Tue, 21 Aug 2018 14:45:04 +0000 dc yoga bee 2840890@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We will be sending our daughter to a charter school a couple of towns over. Over half of our town send their kids to charter or private so it’s not that unusual around here. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-have-their-kid-attend-their-neighbourhood-school#post-2840888 Tue, 21 Aug 2018 14:34:07 +0000 gestalt 2840888@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JennyPenny: thank you - that makes me feel much better! my husband is also very firmly in the camp of having her at least try the G&amp;T program. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-have-their-kid-attend-their-neighbourhood-school#post-2840887 Tue, 21 Aug 2018 14:29:56 +0000 gestalt 2840887@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lindseykaye: thank you - i need to remind myself why we made the decision, and i'll have to explain the same to my kid. she is quite sad having to make new friends all over again, and the anxiety is affecting me. :(</p> <p>@Meso: @looch: unfortunately quite a few kids from her preschool are at our neighbourhood school. it's tough when you have to start over again.</p> <p>@bloved: it's definitely tough second guessing yourself right before the new school year! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-have-their-kid-attend-their-neighbourhood-school#post-2840877 Tue, 21 Aug 2018 13:53:26 +0000 JennyPenny 2840877@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DS doesn't start K until 2019 but I've been touring magnet schools in my area because that is what I'd prefer for him. They are a bit farther, but at least for elementary, the bus routes don't seem to be too much longer. I know it will get worse in middle and high school. </p> <p>I did magnet schools myself growing up though so I do have memory of not being in the same school as my neighborhood friends. For me it was mostly an issue because my parents switched me for 6th grade. So it wasn't so much that I wasn't in school with neighborhood friends, it was that all the kids I had gone to school with for the last 6 years were going to one school and I was going somewhere else and everyone there had known each other in elementary. So I think the issue when just starting out is much less significant. And I firmly believe that going to GT magnets was a strong and positive influence on me which is why I want it for my kids. I hope in the end you would feel the same for your kid. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-have-their-kid-attend-their-neighbourhood-school#post-2840865 Tue, 21 Aug 2018 13:18:15 +0000 lindseykaye 2840865@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gestalt: Yes but not a ton. She was sad she wasn't going to school with some of her closer friends. Like - was not looking forward to school all summer and finally at the open house a few days before school she warmed up.</p> <p>We talked a lot about why our school was right for us, the positives of it, and that different families and kids go to different schools, that was just a fact. She's very happy now (about a week into school). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-have-their-kid-attend-their-neighbourhood-school#post-2840863 Tue, 21 Aug 2018 13:12:21 +0000 Meso 2840863@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gestalt: it was for kindergarten and the kids all went to different preschools or stayed home, so for her, it wasn't any different. she's always had school friends and "home" friends </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-have-their-kid-attend-their-neighbourhood-school#post-2840861 Tue, 21 Aug 2018 13:11:25 +0000 looch 2840861@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gestalt: I had this whole thing typed out explaining, but at the end of the day, no pushback from my son. I think that's because he knew his preschool program was ending, he never had started at the other school and he was 5, so there wasn't any deep thought involved.</p> <p>He's in second grade now and he's never asked to attend the local school, even though the kids he plays with on the weekends attend it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-have-their-kid-attend-their-neighbourhood-school#post-2840860 Tue, 21 Aug 2018 13:09:50 +0000 bloved 2840860@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son is a summer birthday and DH and I waffled about what to do for kindergarten. It turns out there is a Free Choice district in our neighboring town (they actually merge with our district for 6-12) so we decided to put him there. It’s a much smaller school environment (1 section of each grade, 18 kids max) and so we thought it would ease the transition. It is about a 15 minute drive for us, but I would have been driving him anyway because I am also a teacher so waiting for his bus would have made me late to work. I wrestle if we made the right decision because as it’s gotten closer to September he is seeming more “kindergarten ready”, but I think this is a good choice. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-have-their-kid-attend-their-neighbourhood-school#post-2840858 Tue, 21 Aug 2018 13:02:38 +0000 gestalt 2840858@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Meso: @lindseykaye: @looch: Was there any pushback from your kids in attending a different school? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-have-their-kid-attend-their-neighbourhood-school#post-2840845 Tue, 21 Aug 2018 12:45:48 +0000 looch 2840845@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son attends a magnet school in a different town, we happen to live down the street from the neighborhood school. The car ride is no less than a half hour.</p> <p>Our neighbors go to the school down the road, but they have a great relationship and play all the time. </p> <p>There are two reasons we chose this school. One is the fact that it goes k-8. The second is that the program is one that isn't offered in town. It's International Baccalaureate and that aligns with our hope that our son attends a school abroad at some point. I am ecstatic with the decision. It hasn't been without challenges, but I am satisfied in what my son is learning, how he is learning it and how he is exposed to material. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-have-their-kid-attend-their-neighbourhood-school#post-2840844 Tue, 21 Aug 2018 12:41:42 +0000 lindseykaye 2840844@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our neighborhood/district school is not that great, and mostly a poor fit for my LO. None of our neighborhood friends elect to send their kid to the school so there's a huge mix among LO's friends who live nearby and who are her closest friends.<br /> Some of us attend a charter school within 5 minute drive, others attend a different charter school also within a few minutes. Some participate in school zoning exemption and go to any number of other public schools in town (10-20 min drives), and some have gotten into a local educational research school by lottery (10 min drive). It's a wide range of school options basically, and they all continue to play after school or on the weekends. A lot of us parents are also friends so that helps to continue facilitating time together for the kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-not-have-their-kid-attend-their-neighbourhood-school#post-2840832 Tue, 21 Aug 2018 11:41:31 +0000 Meso 2840832@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>our neighborhood public school isn't that great. all the neighborhood kids go to the same private school, but it's not very diverse, which is important to me. so we send our kids to a different school then the neighborhood kids and it's also not our neighborhood school. the neighborhood kids are different ages, so they wouldn't really be in the same class or schedule anyways. </p>