I have an interesting question to pose to all of you that is no doubt just an opinion! What do you think is more important for your kids: Going to a good school with good teachers with excellent friends and parents or going to a great school with great teachers but less friendly parents and kids who your children don't know? This is a serious dilemma... what do you do when you can send your kids to a better school with better teachers (not that their current school is bad or anything-- it has an exemplary rating, but the other just has more creative teachers and offers extra programs, like learning a second language) but they have already bonded with a great group of kids and families? What would you choose?
**To clarify, the current school is question is one with issues... and some of the teachers the kids encounter aren't friendly or creative. Yes, they get the "job done" and get the kids prepared for the tests, but sometimes in a staunch, harsh way. Now, of course, some of the teachers are great too... it is a mixed bag. The other school in question has a bright group of smiling teachers, a proven reputation, and a lot more to offer... but, the school caters to a l"richer", less "down to earth" crowd, one that my kids may not necessarily fit into.
this is a tough one.
But I'd go with the first one, good school with great friends and parents.
You can get her those extra programs with extra activities or at home through computer programs or even video games. Nintendo has several language "games" for their DS system.
Families and Friends.
Hi,
Your children and their well being is what's important. Sometimes parents have to weigh situations and circumstances that may not be popular to our children. One mistake I made in a similar situation was applying the solution across the board (though I had valid reasons). While some of my children have personalities where they could make a friend on the moon, I had one who is eager to make friends but children don't reach out to her very well. The school they were at was an excellent Christian school. I loved it and had been with the school for approximately 13 years as my older children started kindergarden there. It was a very loving environment, teachers hugging and encouraging the students etc. We eventually moved in a school district that is lauded for its stellar education. We chose to enroll our children in the public school system because it provided more resources and opportunities for our children. My nine year old says she hates the school. This is her second year there and she has had all kinds of adjustment issues. In retrospect I think she may have done better socially at the previous school but academically she is soaring though her grades don't reflect that. We were so entrenched in the other school that we didn't realize that the standards in the school district where we are now exceeded the previous school. So my A student is now a B/C student. It initially rocked her self esteem. The benefit is she is adjusting, has friends, likes the mean and unfriendly teachers, and forgotten the transition. (Sometimes smile). I said all that to say that your children will do well in any environment that you put them in because you are teaching them, guiding and directing them to make the right choices and right decisions. If it were me I would error on the side of providing a great education. This will give them the tools to compete academically and professionally.
God Bless,
S.
Friends. If your choice was between a bad school with great friends and a great school with strangers, then I'd say the latter. But you said yourself that the school your kids are currently in has an exemplary rating. Creative teachers and extra programs aren't enough of a move up in the academic world to justify moving your kids to a place where they dont know anybody! You learn the most from the people you know and gain self confidence and happiness from your friends and community. As long as teh school you're in now is a good one, keep them there :)
I vote for good school//excellent teachers and parents.
Think of it this way, not EVERY child going to the "better" school will take advantage of everything and learn all the extras. Kids work to their potential. Your kid(s) can excel at a good school AND have support of their friends and community.
I would opt for the good school with excellent friends and parents. Part of the school experience is developing a social network. If you are concerned at all that your children may not be able to form friendships or will be intentionally excluded from the peer groups that are already in place at the exceptional school, then opt for the one that allows them to feel comfortable in their own learning environment.
Hope this helps.
I think wherever your CHILD will be happiest and most comfortable is the most important. I have known too many parents that felt they wanted their children at a different school. The children suffered emotionally and ended up spending more time trying to fit in and finding new friends, the parents were disappointed with the results from all of the extra effort. . If your child is a good student, works hard and is happy, do not mess with it.
One mom had her daughter go to a High school that was not the one that the daughter was assigned to. The mom felt the classes offered and the academics would be more challenging and more beneficial for her daughter. The daughter never could find a group of friends and the mom realized the academics were really not much different than the school they had just left. I asked the mom what was the point that they decided the girl should go back to the neighborhood school? She said the night she "could hear her daughter sobbing in the shower late at night". It broke my heart.
There is one mom here that has moved her kids all over the district to schools she felt were better for different reasons. Her kids are fine, but it did not seem to make a difference in what colleges they ended up in..
We moved recently, from a school that was not highly rated but had wonderful teachers, staff and students, to a "better" school--well rated, etc. And I can honesty say we were all much happier at the old school. The tangibles--the test scores, the ratings, etc--may not have been the best or the highest, but all three of my kids were challenged and happy because they had people around them who made them happy. Extra programs aren't what is going to craft your children's personalities or their worth; its the people and the values that they impart that will stay with them. Stay at the "good" school and continue to seek out the best teachers, or at least the best ones for your kids and be an advocate for that. You will all be happier!
As someone who changed schools every 2 years... you will find amazing people no matter where you go... but a great school is priceless.
I would go for the great school! About three years ago, We sold our house and bought a different one at a town that has a better school system than the one my children were at. I tell you this much, my kids were not too happy about the change because they were leaving their friends behind, but all in all, it was the best move. They quickly made friends and every so often we go back to the old school to say hi to the teachers.
My oldest who is now almost 12 out of my three children is the harder one to make friends, he only had one 'best' friend at his previuos school, but he is now involved in a christian club after school and is making new friends.
So, I would suggest you go with the school that will nurture your kids and give them the best education. Friends? they will make them anywhere they go!
Blessings
I would say excellent teachers. The only reason your children haven't bonded with the other children is because they aren't there, right? Giving them a chance to make new friends might be a great thing for them....
I'd have to go with friends. Your child won't learn as much if they are unhappy. If you have good teachers/good school/happy kids/good support--count your blessings and don't fix it if it ain't broke.
Education is a priority, but in my mind, we learn and work so that we can fully enjoy our lives. To children, those relationships are doubly important and not having them truly can have a negative impact.
Best wishes whatever you decide.
Teachers. I have current contact with maybe 2 people from where I went to school. You make friends everywhere you go, but they come and go and most of them are not permanent fixtures in your life. What you learn and how you think guides you through life. Great teachers can make an impact that lasts a lifetime.
