Choosing a Kindergarten?

[TigerEyess]

I had no idea I needed to register my daughter for kindergarten so early in the year - I thought you registered them in June or something for Sept 2010... little did I know!

So how to choose a kindergarten? I'm looking at sending her out of catchment area, to Tansor, Duncan El or Alex Aitken.

My question is... how (or why) did YOU choose your kindergarten?

TIA!

[kmommy]

I always wanted French Immersion for my children (since before I even had children) so my decision was already made... my kids would attend Duncan El.
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~ Krista ~
DH 08/05/2000
DS 05/08/1995
DD 12/10/1996 - 01/03/1997 RIP
m/c @ 7 weeks 04/01/1997
DS 06/26/1998
DD 01/06/2000
DS 06/23/2002

[T&C's Mama]

We were already sold on French Immersion, but when it came time to enroll, we had made the decision to move from Victoria to Duncan...Once we attended the kindergarten information night at Duncan El, we fell in love with the school. The kindy teachers are wonderful, our principal is amazing - we have a strong PAC and a very involved school community. We also live out of catchment, just a minute from Maple Bay School, and I have no problem driving our children to Duncan El every day. It's a wonderful school and FI is a wonderful program.
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The phrase "working mother" is redundant. ~Jane Sellman

[mom of 3]

Such a BIG decision, and not to be made lightly...If you child has any learning disability no matter how small, make sure to research how that school is able to support his/her learning.

Okay, before I write any further...just so that you know....I have nothing against any schools in this district...this is me just sharing my experience to maybe help you with yours

I started with my oldest (now gr 5) at Tansor, and for the most part it seemed that he was learning what he should be learning. I did notice that they really concentrate on the Arts there, which is fine, up until grade 4. I was very surprised by the lack of science being taught, if any. They tend to do a lot of crafting, drama, and music more than was needed. They only learned to handwrite for approx. 2 weeks, which is not enough to really master it, however, it was checked off as "That's done...what's next"!

I don't believe if we stayed that he would of been ready for grade 7 in 2 yrs. He has a different learning style, but has since overcome it, because I chose to move him. I wasn't the only parent last year that did this...over half of the grade 4s(36 students) that were to be in grade 5 this year were gone in Sept (10 remained)! And for the most part, the parents moved them for academic reasons.

Last September, I moved my children to Somenos Rural Traditional, and can't believe the difference in how they are taught and what they are being taught. Also, the staff are dedicated to making sure that every student is being supported to the best of their ability as well as working with the parent so that the child will succeed.

Last term, my son was so excited to discuss with me how they watched the disection of a pig's throat, down to it's bowels. YUCK! I know, but I was excited for him...this was the first time in 5 years that he has show any interest in what was being taught as every day learning. This school teaches like how we were taught in elementary school. All the basics and in context so the kids can understand what they are learning. My youngest son (gr.1) is learning to spell 25 words a week, practicing sight words, and reading every night. I can't believe how quickly he's caught on! My oldest didn't have spelling tests until gr 4 and I strongly believe that partly why he couldn't read fluently until now. He was always trying to memorize everything instead of reading phonetically.

In short, I wish I had known that this school had existed when my oldest was entering Kindergarten, but I'm now just so pleased that he's there, with his brother now

Good luck with your educational journey:o

[jonesy]

I'd have to say that I am absolutely impressed with Tansor, I have 3 kids of all different ages attending, also 1 that has been attending Parkside Academy (Daycare/Kindercare) for the past year and a half.

My kids did spent a couple years at Bench, needless to say due to overwhelming large class sizes, and a shortage on teachers we switched, at that point a few teachers had even mentioned they just didnt have the one on one they wished for, and suggested Sylvan learning center, at $400 plus a month it wasn't really an option. The principal was wonderful at Tansor and spent many hours one on one with one of my children to get her back on track from getting lost in the shuffle at Bench. She now excels, something I never imagined considering how far behind she was....

My oldest child at Tansor has been given additional work, books, spelling tests etc. to challenge her as she seems to exceed in what is expected of her as a grade 5 student.

Overall I am thrilled with Tansor and how well all my children and friends children are doing there, I would not change a thing.

But to each their own, every child is different and learns differently. Good Luck on making your choice!