Thinking future here...High School Future...

OK, So Bella graduates Pre-K in a couple of weeks and I know this sounds pre-emptive of me...but in just 7 years or so I will have to make some serious decisions :-/

I moved to such a cute little town back in 2007. I always knew growing up in West Hempstead that East Rockaway was a small school district. I knew it was tiny and that this was going to require a decision of sorts. I love my house, my large property, my quiet street, the driveway!

I am scared about her school district.

It's actually a good district. Some great teachers, blue ribbon, and they are slowly updating the elementary school. The library is gorgeous too. I don't worry about her in elementary as much. Her enrollment right now stands at 25 kids in 2 classes. If the budgets pass, they may go to 3. The other school has about 25-30 kids total.

That means, from 7th grade on through graduation...just 80 kids in her class. And high school is 7-12th. It's so TEENY.

I worry about the social aspect, the educational aspect (AP classes, languages, electives in general). Bella is a bright child, she loves school and everything about it, I want her to have every opportunity possible. I even worry about the sports factor...I was big into sports...

So I have to think about this. I will be asking a lot more as we move forward about the above educational questions.

But I guess I have to look into Catholic School for 9-12?? Or WORST case scenario, think about moving (I am just five blocks from Lynbrook...which is almost double the taxes)

Is anyone else as crazy as I am? Am I overreacting?

Re: Thinking future here...High School Future...

You know this is the childless board, right?

Message edited 9/1/2011 3:48:22 PM.

Re: Thinking future here...High School Future...

Posted by KittyTheStray

You know this is the childless board, right?

Re: Thinking future here...High School Future...

Posted by nrthshgrl

Posted by KittyTheStray

You know this is the childless board, right?

No, you're not crazy for thinking about it. We thought about school districts when we first got married.

Private schools are options & but that sort of counters the low-tax aspect. Also I'm not sure if you care about this (or if I should even go there to add to stress) but what happens when she's in elementary school & then you ship her to catholic school? Will she be starting with a whole new set of friends?

Yes, most kids survive changing schools but having never moved out of my home district, that was a factor to me.

Message edited 9/1/2011 12:24:08 PM.

Re: Thinking future here...High School Future...

Posted by nrthshgrl

Great book - Queen Bees & Wannabes for the Mean Girl thing...

I worry about Maddie too. I think we all do. I'm pretty sure she's a follower & I worry about her being a target because she's a nice kid. Meanwhile her frenemy told her the other day that she shouldn't wear leggings with her dress.

So this morning we rehearsed saying "If you want the boys to see your underwear, don't wear leggings." complete with an eyeroll.

I am so not cut out to be a parent.

In the end, starting fresh at a new school was terrific for me in college so maybe it's a good thing.

Re: Thinking future here...High School Future...

Thats a tough one. I am not sure I have any good advice. I moved to a new school in March of 8th grade and I vowed never to do that to my kids if at all possible I got spit balls thrown at me, almost fought, it was a nightmare until 10th grade when kids forgot I was new and some even apologized. 9th grade may be different and catholic school may be different. I KNOW I would be thinking about this too but although it does go fast, a lot can happen/change in that amount of time so I would give it another few years and see if you have a better idea as to what is best for your dd.

Re: Thinking future here...High School Future...

I hear ya loud and clear! Not only did I grow up in ER, but I now live in another small district (ER and OB are probably the two smallest in Nassau!)....

Me and my 5 siblings all went to Catholic school for both grammar (St. Raymond's) and HS (all different ones). I know my parents wanted the religious aspect, but I can't be too sure that the size of the district didn't play a huge part in that decision too. I must agree, it is a great town, my parents are still living there and my brother just bought a house there. People stay forever, trust me! So many of the people I grew up with still live in town and now have kids going to the same school we did. It's been like this for generations! I know at least 4 families that grew up on your block and I am sure one or two are probably still there!

While the schools have generally improved over the years (as you mentioned), there have also been many "hits" that happen when they have such a small school. I think they may have cut Varsity football?? and I know they have combined a few sports teams with Malverne. Many, many years ago, there was talk about combining ER with Lynbrook and that didn't go over so well with Lynbrook at all
I can't speak of the HS because I never went there. So I'll refrain from giving commentary.

I think you are right to a point that starting off in HS is a fresh start, where going to a Catholic HS is new for all. But in ER, the 7th and 8th is in the HS. I know so many people that put their child in St. Ray's for 7th and 8th, before sending them on to the Catholic HS. Not sure how much that's done today.

But here's what I will say about a small school. I'm talking class size in general. My children are in Catholic school now. Like I mentioned, we come from a small district now too, and there may be at most 100 kids per grade. In the Catholic school they go to now, they average 17 kids per grade. My DS's K class has only 14 kids. Most likely, unless they get a spike in enrollment, he will go through 8th grade with that many kids, give or take a few here and there. I admit I was so worried at first. But now that one year is complete, I have to say that I completely and 100% am sure, that in our children's cases, that the small classes are beneficial and my kids have excelled! They're not lost in it all and his class is like one big family. He's friends with all his classmates and they all get along so well. I really love it.

Embrace the small classes for now. I do understand your concern for the overall picture. You are not overreacting. But you will see how great Bella will do and how close she becomes with all her classmates.

Message edited 6/3/2010 9:15:32 AM.

Re: Thinking future here...High School Future...

I can tell you about me...
I grew up in a very small town too (in Rockland County though, not on LI), where EVERYONE knows each other. I went to private school from 7 - 9 in another town (actually it was in NJ ). When I came back in 10th grade, I was a rockstar!
I really think you have to do what is best for you, and your family. If you think private school is the way to go, go for it! Don't let a small school scare you though