https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 28 Apr 2026 14:24:26 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charter-schools#post-2451029 Fri, 05 Feb 2016 12:27:35 +0000 Finfan 2451029@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No. I am strongly opposed to charter schools and the ones in our area are also not impressive. We will send our kids to public school and supplement at home and with educational activities on our own dime. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charter-schools#post-2451003 Fri, 05 Feb 2016 12:12:52 +0000 Adira 2451003@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am. We have a Montessori charter school right by our house and it looks awesome! But I'd need to learn more before I fully consider it. And even then, we'd have to win a lottery to get in. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charter-schools#post-2450982 Fri, 05 Feb 2016 12:03:42 +0000 meredithNYC 2450982@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not, but I agree with you that the length of school day plus the homework situation would give me pause. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charter-schools#post-2450930 Fri, 05 Feb 2016 11:36:46 +0000 sorrycharlie 2450930@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LovelyPlum: nope I'm in RI! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charter-schools#post-2450917 Fri, 05 Feb 2016 11:30:16 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 2450917@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: We moved across the river (two rivers actually). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charter-schools#post-2450916 Fri, 05 Feb 2016 11:30:01 +0000 LovelyPlum 2450916@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Maysprout: we sound like we're in a similar situation. There's one or two really good public elementary/pre-K programs in our district, but they're application based. If we wouldn't get in, we'll go private. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charter-schools#post-2450911 Fri, 05 Feb 2016 11:28:22 +0000 LovelyPlum 2450911@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You're not by chance in Hartford, are you? I know they have some really good charters downtown...they're actually a whole district of them.</p> <p>Yes, we are, particularly if we stay in the district we're currently in. This district is terrible, and charters are one of the only ways that it's digging itself back out. There's just so much pressure on the local schools, and so little support. Some of the charters around here offer a great alternative. I support them! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charter-schools#post-2450895 Fri, 05 Feb 2016 11:19:26 +0000 Jess1483 2450895@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I taught in a school like that. And we had a 20-minute lunch, and recess got taken away school-wide. It sucked. For me and my kids. They were 7/8 years old and it was just way, way too long. I would avoid a schedule like that unless there is a lot of recess time. Especially with that much homework (I was required to give an hour every night, but I did most of it as free reading). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charter-schools#post-2450885 Fri, 05 Feb 2016 11:08:34 +0000 Mamaof2 2450885@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sorrycharlie: wow that is crazy - here it is 10 mins of homework per grade so 10 in 1st, 20 in 2nd, etc</p> <p>We do public - one reason we moved here -excellent schools! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charter-schools#post-2450867 Fri, 05 Feb 2016 11:01:51 +0000 sorrycharlie 2450867@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: they have a solid 8-hour educational day, and the bus/pick ups/drop offs tacked onto each end. crazy! I remember seeing those specific times but can't find the info on the site again. I forget which link I had clicked. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charter-schools#post-2450852 Fri, 05 Feb 2016 10:54:32 +0000 Maysprout 2450852@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It'd depend on the school. The ones around us don't have a great reputation but they're trying to be a solution for schools that have a lot of problems. They seem to be running into the same problems though. If public school didn't work out at least where we are now we'd go for private. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charter-schools#post-2450833 Fri, 05 Feb 2016 10:44:03 +0000 yin 2450833@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We applied to three charter schools, but really hoping to get into the one closest to us. Chances are very slim with limited openings, but we'll give it a try. I won't be sad if it doesn't work out because I honestly wasn't as impressed by the school when we attended open house. Although we live near a great elementary school, I'm a little pessimistic about the public education system overall. :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charter-schools#post-2450830 Fri, 05 Feb 2016 10:40:46 +0000 MrsBrewer 2450830@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I personally went to a small charter high school, and I would never send my children to one. I'm sure they are all different though, so take my opinion with a grain of salt. </p> <p>The one that I went to boasted that it was a college-prep high school, and focused on more math/english/second language classes for college to see on the transcripts. Well their curriculum was horrible. I went to a private school before that, and basically freshman year was a refresher of grade school, way too simple and didn't really allow students to advance based on skill level. it was a set program for everyone. Needless to say once I got to college, I was screwed, they didn't prepare me for it at all, and I was so behind! :-( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charter-schools#post-2450810 Fri, 05 Feb 2016 10:26:13 +0000 mediagirl 2450810@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That does seem exceptionally long - that's the actual bell schedule?? We are hoping for charter school entry but they are hard to get in to here. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charter-schools#post-2450801 Fri, 05 Feb 2016 10:20:44 +0000 futuremama 2450801@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think these vary widely by area and state. Charter schools in our area generally have terrible reputations. Very few maintain ownership from year to year. There is no consistency within the administration, and teacher turnover is terrible. Our city public schools are not the greatest, but most people move to the suburbs rather than even considering a charter. I live in a mid-size Midwestern city. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charter-schools#post-2450496 Fri, 05 Feb 2016 07:19:37 +0000 looch 2450496@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep, I am considering two for my son. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charter-schools#post-2450494 Fri, 05 Feb 2016 07:10:23 +0000 FaithFertility 2450494@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: Our Charter schools seem to be opposite! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charter-schools#post-2450492 Fri, 05 Feb 2016 07:05:47 +0000 Anagram 2450492@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Baby Boy Mom: Do you still live in the same area as me? Because there's a bilingual charter school I'm interested in here, too. Wondering if it's the same. =) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charter-schools#post-2450488 Fri, 05 Feb 2016 06:56:10 +0000 avivoca 2450488@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No. They aren't allowed here but even if they were I wouldn't send her. I am a firm supporter of public education and public schools. </p> <p>Our resides school isn't the greatest but it isn't terrible either. I'm not going to try to go outside of our cluster for something better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charter-schools#post-2450485 Fri, 05 Feb 2016 06:52:38 +0000 honeybear 2450485@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with you--that's an insanely long day for elementary school! </p> <p>Based on what I've seen from charter school students and heard from their parents, I suspect that most charters are essentially traditional schools with a "hook" that suggests that they are better/more rigorous than any other option. I see the fancy advertising and hear a lot of talk, but the reality seems to be far more prosaic. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charter-schools#post-2449922 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 20:03:25 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 2449922@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes there is one we would love to get into because it offers second language immersion. otherwise we are not interested in the rest. Our public district is hit or miss because a lot of people send to private so we need to explore all options. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charter-schools#post-2449909 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 19:58:55 +0000 MOMTOLITTLEB 2449909@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We probably wouldn't consider it. We intentionally bought our home in a good school district, that was very important to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charter-schools#post-2449865 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 19:33:48 +0000 mrsjazz 2449865@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope! DH is a public school teacher and not a fan of charter schools. Plus we live in a great district so no need to even think about them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charter-schools#post-2449844 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 19:24:29 +0000 deerylou 2449844@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We live in a small town with a tiny but mighty district. I'd be happy for DD to attend public school, here. However, we will be applying to our local charter, which is just up the road from our home. It's Waldorf inspired and has received positive feedback. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charter-schools#post-2449838 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 19:23:06 +0000 regberadaisy 2449838@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah, charter schools are typically publicly funded but can follow their own curriculum. Which is usually more intense than neighboring public schools. Which is what makes them a draw for parents in a less than stellar district. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/charter-schools#post-2449835 Thu, 04 Feb 2016 19:20:16 +0000 sorrycharlie 2449835@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>are you considering sending your kids to a charter school?</p> <p>we have some excellent ones near us, but when I researched the school, I was a little shocked to see how long of a day (730-430) and how much homework they openly expect the children to complete. it said kindergarteners and first graders should expect an hour of homework a night, and for it to increase exponentially by grade :shocked: </p> <p>I'm certainly not thinking my kids are special snowflakes but that's an insanely long day, IMO. and I have had issues with the amount of homework expected of kids already anyway - never mind at age 5/6! </p>