Catholic School Kindergarten

Has anyone had their child go to Catholic School for Kindergarten and then bring them back to district later on?

We have child care issues and it might be easier if DS gets driven and picked up at either St. Patricks in Smithtown or Sts. Phillip and James in St. James by my in-laws. Otherwise he would have to do before and after care with our district (it's not in our elementary school either, it's in the one across town).

I just don't want him to miss out on making friends in K that he will be with later on. But then again we did a pre-school in the neighboring district and he doesn't seem to mind not going to school with any of these kids next year.

Re: Catholic School Kindergarten

My kids are in a catholic school. They will be staying in the school until 8th grade, so I can't really answer your question. I can tell you though that all the kids that have done K at the school go on to stay in the school and don't leave for the public district. There are children that attend the pre-k and the go on to K in the public school since the catholic school has full day pre-K and the public doesn't.

Re: Catholic School Kindergarten

I teach in catholic school (PK) & like chmlengr said many leave PK & go to public K. In my school there seem to be a couple that leave K every year to go to public for whatever reason.

I think though it depends on your child's particular class. I've had classes that are very tight & when a new child comes in they never truly fit in. There's other times when the class is very welcoming & take the new child in w/ open arms.

Also how is your child w/ making friends? Are they more reserved? Very friendly/outgoing?

I personally went to public school to 6th grade & then went to Catholic school for 6-8th grade & it was fine. I did play CYO sports w/ these kids so I did know a bunch.

Re: Catholic School Kindergarten

My DD went to catholic school for Kindergarten. A majority of her class left after kindergarten and went to public school. Approximately 6 kids went to the same public school so she knew some of the kids. Initially, she struggled with wanting to go back to her "other school". After two weeks or so, she met new kids and adjusted fine.

The public school was very intimidating to my dd. She was used to a small group of kids. When we went to public school, there were 6 first grade classes, as opposed to 2 classes. The school was much larger, etc. Once she adapted to the change, she did fine.

Re: Catholic School Kindergarten

Thank you very much. I appreciate the feedback. Now if only I didn't miss the busing deadline!!

Re: Catholic School Kindergarten

DS with be going Sts. Philip and James in Sept for Kindergarten. I think he'll do just fine making new friends and adjusting to the new schedule.
The plan is then for him to go to our public school for the following school year. Again, I think he'll do fine with the switch as we know some children that he'll be with in school from the neighborhood. FM me if you have any questions.