I have a four-year old son that will be starting kindergarten in 2009. As a former school teacher, I have pretty high standards for elementary schools. I am looking for a school (either public or private) that is activity based (not too much desk work or worksheets), regular art, music, and PE classes, a balanced approach to reading (phonics and whole language). My primary concern is that my child is allowed to be creative and learn with real experiences. For example, when learing about plants the class would grow plants, observe, collect data, create a garden, etc. Not just learn the plant life cycle with a textbook and worksheets. If I went into an ideal classroom I would see children moving around the room, creating, building, and solving real-life problems; wow, this sounds so cliche, but I am serious! Any suggestions? Any schools that I should avoid? I know that there is a lot of variation between school within the same district so please be specific.
Why don't you think about homeschooling that way you can direct his learning the way you would like. I have heard good things about Carnegie, but none of the schools in town teach this way. The university school might and you might look in to the montessori schools.
I've been hearing good things about Regent Preparatory school. Some moms were just talking how their 4 yr olds dissected Owl pellets looking for bones and hair of animals the owl had ate. The kids there also learn about classical painters and musicians. Otherwise I can't help you much, my kids are the same age as yours.
You should check out the Berryhill Public Schools, they are just west of Tulsa (still in tulsa county).
You need to check out Mayo Elementary School. My mom worked there for many years and it is an amazing school. They teach with hands on learning and real world knowledge. My daughter will also start kindergarten in 2009 and I she'll be going there. You have to be accepted so check it out ASAP and get on the list. It's free and it's great.
Check out the Kindergarten class at Augustine Christian Academy. It is located on 30th street just barely west of Sheridan (6310 E. 30th). The phone is ###-###-####. My son had a great experience there, and learned to read in Kindergarten, without strain. They have a lot of activities, built in "play time" and a lot of creative helps in the classroom, as well as good solid learning. My granddaughter is in K-4 there now, and loves it. It used to be called St. Augustine Academy-the sign may still say that. And good luck in your search!
It sounds like you just described park plaza preschool. We went there for 4 years and loved it. THey are at 51st and sheridan. Full fine arts preschool. they focus on an artist, a composer, an illustrator and an author each month. They love and learn and play and do fantastic. I could never say enough great stuff. We now attend Wright christian Academy at admiral and Garnett. They have been in business for about 25 years and are prek thru 12. We are now in 2nd grade and have a fantastic experience. about 370 student body. So small enough that the kids know each other but big enough to offer a great balance of art, music, sports and academics. their science department received a grant this year to build a robot and enter the national high school robot competition. We have been super pleased. I would tour every school. Seek Gods wisdom and you will know it when you see it. good luck
B.,
Hello. I think it's wonderful you have those expectations and you should seek and find the best fit for you and your children. I believe that Riverfield Country Day School would meet all your criteria. I will say I'm a bit biased because I have my daughter in pre-school there; they have an excellent pre-school program. However, I don't think any other school in town/possibly the state compares (my personal opinion). Check them out on the web at www.riverfield.org to learn more about their philosophy and you should definitely go visit (phone number is ###-###-####). They have a hands-on and positive approach to learning. It is a private school (infants through 12th grade) located in West Tulsa, but it's worth the drive to me for a great education/learning experience. It's worth considering. I highly recommend Riverfield. But, the most important thing is finding the best fit for you and your children. Best of luck to you in your quest for the right school.
Cordially,
J. J.
If you are looking at the public school system then you pretty much just have to take the one in your district. We moved out of Tulsa and to Owasso after one year of public school in Tulsa. We were in the Union school district which was supposed to be pretty good but it just didn't meet our expectations. Monte Casino has an excellent program and I think it would definitely have a lot of the qualities that you listed. I did my student teaching there and was impressed.
