School Options - Arlington,TX

We had the same decision to make. We are going w/ the neighborhood school (behind our house!). It's a very good school. She is bright, but I don't believe she'll be bored... as "one and done" said, it's so much more than academics. Let her be with her friends in the neighborhood and develop those relationships and DON'T put your family through a stressfull commute either. Best of luck.

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I agree with Jodi D.
There is SO much more to K, than academics. She's not going to be bored--trust me.I think all parents think that--not that your daughter isn't bright--but truly gifted is a whole other thing....and you don't know that yet.

I'd put her in the neighborhood public school.
The friends she makes in K are going to be her friends for a good many years. Kids need a herd!

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I honestly think it's interesting we even consider boredom in kindergarten. The experience is not just school work. It's learning new people, schedules, and tasks. Does your daughter write well? Does she tie her shoes? Does she know how to button/zip her own clothes? Does she feed herself well/open containers? Does she play independently well? Does she play on a team well? How well does she listen/follow direction?

You may find your daughter is academically ahead of the curve, but there are other aspects she may not be. My daughter is very intelligent academically. She can sound out words and do addition and subtraction. She's 4. She is just a sponge. On the other hand though she is a little immature socially. This does not mean she is shy by any means, but she is still young and will have to mature with friends by sharing and participating.

I would choose the local elementary so she can build relationships she may have for a long time. :)

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My daughter is very bright too, started kindergarten this year. She had a 92% on her KRT and is definitely a smart child. Our local elementary is great as well, and that's where we chose to send her. The benefit is also socialization. Her friends are all local, and it is easy to do playdates. Several of her nursery school friends are there. Social life is a very important part of school and I think sending your child to school 20 or 30 min away, you will hinder that. Obviously just my two cents. That's up to you of course! Good luck!

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I work at an elementary school, and a lot of parents are in your predicament. I don't mean this in a bad way, but often times when we are told that they are gonig to be bored they actually are fine in class and not always as advanced as they may seem in preschool. Kindergarten these days is different than it used to be. They will want her to do at least the first 6 weeks to get a good "base line" on her abilities, but then she can be tested for the Gifted and Talented program. If she qualifies, that might help with her boredom issue if there is one since she will be getting higher level assignments.

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Neighborhood school. It will make it easier on both of you, You will be there with your neighbors.. Comes in handy for play dates, sharing rides etc..

I promise, your daughter will not be the only very bright or accelerated student. In the beginning you may WANT her to be challenged, but she will need time to adjust to the schedule the rules, the whole "going to school" experience. As the year goes on they will have plenty of challenges for her.

We also are very fortunate to live in an exceptional school district. Our daughter was also accelerated, but in kinder their were 5 year olds that could read on a 4th grade level, some of them had been taught how to multiply,, But why? They are 5. The librarian had to be careful with the books she allowed the children to check out because of subject matter.

Our elementary school actually paid the Salary for the full time Spanish teacher through the PTA at the elementary school level.

.. But maybe you could look into bringing an "after school program" for Spanish to be taught. Parents could pay for their children to attend this class once or twice a week. Kids would bring a snack and then the class could be taught. If enough children participate, maybe your district would be willing to work with you all to add Spanish to the curriculum.

Which ever school you choose, I am sure your child will do great. Just think about the logistics and where you want your Community to be. Your child will be spending more of her awake time at school (during the school year) , than she will at home for years to come.

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From the info you have given, I would choose the local elementary school. It is a good school and close and all the neighborhood kids would go to school there. Secondly, she is only going to be in kindergarten so you don't really know what strengths and weaknesses she may have in a classroom setting. You can always address any problems after you see how she does in kindergarten.

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I personally wouldn't go with the one that's far away. Let her make friends in her neighborhood.
The charter school sounds good, look in to it and learn more.

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I'm a big believer in public schools.

My oldest is gifted. She was reading very well before K. Now in third grade we're seeing even more evidence of her ability.

She's in a public school. The care and extra effort they've given her to help her thrive are truly amazing. Anyone who tells me teachers stink sure haven't met these educators!

The bilingual program intrigues me. If we had that option, we'd seriously consider it.

Anyway, I write simply to say that our experience in public schools with a bright child has been very positive.

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Jodi D, One on One, D.M. -- they've all got it right. Kindergarten is SO much more than just academics. My daughter is entering K next year as well and she is very bright and her pre-school teacher says she's well advanced academically compared to her peers. With all that said, the reason I put her in a "normal" preschool is because of the non-academic reasons -- socialization, etc. I fully intend to put her in public school because I know that she'll have an opportunity to test for the Gifted and Talented program and if she gets into that then her academic needs will be met. And by staying in the local school system she'll make local friends which, as you pointed out, would be more difficult if she goes to the school your husband teaches at.

I will say that the charter school also sounds like a good option. I hear a lot of good things about them.

Definitely investigate your schools. A good resource is greatschools.org.

Short and sweet: Local elementary will be fine. Teachers will give them work that piques their interests and intellect, plus she'll be living close to friends. Don't stress about it...your daughter will be just fine :)

My son started at a charter school in Arlington this year for Kindergarten. As it is our first experience with full-time school, I feel a little overwhelmed, but we are all VERY happy with it! Wouldn't change a thing. He's already learned so much this year, and he started ahead of the curve like your daughter. Love his teacher, love the other students - it's been great!

It does have a strict discipline policy, but instead of worrying that my son will get in trouble (which he doesn't), it makes me feel that he's in a very safe environment. They are not going to put up with any serious troublemakers.

There is a lot more homework than you'd get at public school, which of course some parents don't like. We're doing fine with it so far, and while of course it would be lovely to have our evenings free and clear all week, I do want my son to get the best education possible. So we're staying put!

My boys went to a Montessori school. They are wonderful schools! The kids stay active and learn together with older kids. We are currently in a charter school, which isn't too bad, but it is still so new they are having organizational problems. Personally, I do not like the regular elementary schools around here, but a bad experience with them regard ADHD, caused many problems.
But if you can find a Montessori school near you I would consider that an option as well. Sorry, don't mean to add more choices for you, Just wanted to make sure you knew about Montessori.

How lucky that you have three good options! The only way you can choose is by visiting each school and seeing which is a good fit for your family. Its hard to judge a school on paper ... you have to see how the classroom flows and how the teachers and students interact. As a teacher & parent, I would think having your child in the same district as your husband would be convenient, though it does make it harder for your daughter to see her friends. I also know that good charter schools can be terrific. Because parents choose to send their children there, they are often very committed to the school, and can help build a good community. Good luck with your decision!

My advice is go to your neighborhood school. If it's a good school there is no reason not to. I feel sure the teachers will be able to challenge her. When my daughter was in 4th grade (she's now in 8th) we left our home school to go to the TAG elementary. I regret it. There is just something about the community your build at your local elementary with your neighbors that you don't get anywhere else.

I think you are getting some excellent advice here. The best piece is - go and visit each school and see how you feel. Interestingly enough, my son is/was VERY bright and I put him in a private school Kindergarten (this was mainly because I had a 2nd child when my son was in PreK and it was just easier on me to have them both in the same building). My son and another child was ahead of every one else on reading and math. The teacher was AWESOME and did special work with these two kids. But otherwise, my son was on par wiht the other kids.

I left my son in the private school for 1st grade (again just for laziness on my part - much easier to have both kids in one location). Again, my son and the other child were the brightest, but they LOVED being with their friends in 1st grade that they had known since they were babies.

I moved my son to public school in 2nd grade (mainly for the monetary savings, but also, I thought the private school classroom was too small. They actually combined 1st and 2nd grade the year he was in 2nd grade). He did well in public school and he tested for the gifted and talented program. In our school, the kids who are in the GT program are put with a GT qualified teacher, so all of the GT kids are in the same classroom (5 in 2nd grade) and then they actually went to a GT special class on Tuesdays (1st and 2nd graders together). My son LOVED the GT day most of all. He did well in public school and it was fine for us. BUT, I did get really tired of hearing about the rough students at school who pushed and shoved and said things that I considered unacceptable. So, I investigated a local charter school.

The charter school in our area is by lottery only. I put my son's name into the lottery and he did get in. So, THIS year, he started at the charter school. So far, it's been great. They are required to wear uniforms (which I love). The school has the right to dismiss disruptive kids and kids who have disciplinary problems. So, I am loving that as well. The work seems to be great. They don't have a special GT class, but they do offer a lot more in regards to fine arts than the public school did. My son LOVES that. He loves art and he is also in musical theater - which he loves.

So, as someone else said, - go and see what they offer. You might find your niche. The charter school my son goes to does NOT have a bus program and I do miss the school bus! I have to drop him off and pick him up every day now (which is fine because I have to do that for my daughter anyway).

Oh and our charter school currently goes through 6th grade. BUT, our public school starts offering honors classes in 6th grade. So, before 6th grade, I'll re-evaluate where my son will go. He might get more out of honors classes than the charter school curriculum.

-L.