Today I visited three schools and four kindergarten classes. I saw two computer labs, two school libraries, six kids restrooms, three playgrounds and a lot of bad building design. I found a wonderful school for Ben. It’s an exploratory school and there is this kinder class that is tri-lingual in English, Spanish and ASL (American Sign Language). The teacher was absolutely fantastic. I was overwhelmingly impressed. The best part is that the school is free.
The worst part? If hell freezes sometime soon, there might actually be a chance Ben could get in, but probably not. If hell freezes over AND I agree to give the devil a hand job, there might be a slight chance.
But probably not.
Why? Because of Miss “check back in the Spring (you freaking helicopter mom)”. I missed the freaking deadline for open enrollment, and even the evil secretary looked at me pityingly when I asked if they ever did a second round of applications. This unknown person I spoke with on the phone is ruining my life.
Okay, that could be a tad bit dramatic. I just ate the head off a chocolate Easter bunny, okay? Give the chocolate time to kick in.
The good news is that I visited a “good” public school and a “bad” public school on my list, and I discovered that both were pretty darn similar. They shared horrible architecture and depressingly tiled hallways, along with mean secretaries. The “good” school didn’t have a great library. The “bad” school had a great library and a really passionate librarian. Number of kids per kinder class in the “good” school: 18. Number of kids per kinder class in the “bad” school: 18. Number of kids per kinder class in the school that costs $6500 a year: 18.
The thing is, even the exceptional school had one so-so kinder class and one fabulous kinder class. The difference between classes was shocking. I guess going there makes all the difference. I have been trying to do this like a logical equation, using statistics, making phone calls, and reading message boards. There just isn’t anything like being onsite, though. The irony is that Ben loved the impossible-to-get-into school but at the end when I asked what school he wanted to go to, his reply was “they’re all great.”
*smacks head*
Ben is going to do kindergarten well. Much better than me, in fact. In every class he just joined in and played with the kids. He met one of his little neighbor friends at the “bad” school, which was exciting, but he was just his precocious self at every single place even when he didn’t know anyone. Of course he announced to 18 kindergarteners that he loved Star Wars (his 5-year-old tour guide’s name was “Luke”), but nobody moved to beat him up or anything (on the other hand, he hasn’t discovered Star Trek yet).
Well, I have made my applications. I have petitioned the universe. I have used excessive hyperbole. The only thing left is to wait and stress.
*sigh*
March 25th, 2007 at 4:29 pm
When I was Ben’s age I loved Star Wars and Star Trek. Look at me now, I turned out (mostly) fine. On second thoght…. maybe you want to hide the TV.