I was reading an issue of Parent Map that was handed to us at an event recently and noticed there were numerous, as in many, educational institutions located in this area. And I've also talked to friends that talk about their child going to a montessori school or french immersion school or some other interesting place. I've driven past schools such as this and this and have done some reading on the montessori and waldorf methods of teaching, but nothing too in depth. So, after glancing at all the advertisements for various "fine" institutions I decided to take a look at some costs to send your child to one of these schools. Some schools charge you $200 just for applying. That's more than what it cost me to apply to colleges when I was 18. So, if your child decides to pick his nose and fling his findings onto the interviewer, well, there goes $200...probably.
And if your child is accepted into a school in which you probably had to hand over your spleen as a down payment the costs just to get started are probably around $600 (collections fees, student supplies, etc). It seems the going rate for a montessori or waldorf school is about $10,000 per year if you decided to enroll your child into a full-day program. That's just for kindergarten, you know, otherwise known as "paste eatin' time". When they enter elementary school (first grade) it's about $12,000-$15,000/year.
Admittedly, there's a school
that has piqued my interest since Austin was kicking my ribs and I'll
just say it's not on the lower-end scale of costs as far as schools
go. How cool is it that they have a "Eurythmy Teacher"? I know,
totally hippy but if you know me, you'd know that I'd think this school
would be super-awesome for Austin to attend at least for kindergarten.
Another thing that has surprised me is reading about some moms seeking out preschools a couple of years before their child will be attending. Although, this seems to be more true in the larger cities, but still! I'm almost positive my mom didn't choose a preschool according to an advertisement or if they served organic lunches and it's probably true for most of our moms.
A question I have is: Does the school make a difference in your child's early education? And if a mom isn't researching preschools when her child is 2 years old, does that make her a slacker?
Honestly, other than this little research I've posted here, I haven't bothered to really look around and I think that's normal.
Honestly, other than this little research I've posted here, I haven't bothered to really look around and I think that's normal.
4 comments:
We will most likely have Griffin in a private grade school, but probably not preschool. The environment he is in now is really great that they offer a preschool program.
I work with a guy who moved to town last year and enrolled his little boy into a kindergarten program at a very "good" private school in town for over $13,000 a year. A few months in they were regretting it, the kids were encouraged to "be themselves" and "play freely" which sounded good to them, but when the little boy started calling adults by their first names and being less than well behaved from all the unstructured free time they started looking for alternatives. This year he's in 1st grade in a public school and loving it. I think they regret putting $13,000 into a kindergarteners art and running around time. The money probably would have been better spent at that age on extracurricular activities, fun outings or even saving for college.
There are so many different schools and philosphies on education that once you find one that fits what you are looking for I think you should go for it!
That's why I'm still "iffy" about sending Austin to a private school, although I believe most, if not all preschools are private.
I really like Three Cedars' teaching philosophy in that its a lot different than most. I have a friend in which her daughter is taught under the Waldorf program and she is so bright, respectful and interactive with all the children on the block in a special way.
Is it worth $10,000/year for kindergarten?? I don't know, but it was just something I was actually thinking about more when I was pregnant.
P.S. Any school that doesn't have structure (as in your friend's experience) doesn't sound like a good school, much less for $13,000/year!
I've yet to see a study the indicates what percentage of CEO's, President's, Doctor's - whatever attended Waldorf, Montessori, bi-lingual preschool so until I see that study I'm not inclined to believe that $13,000 a year is buying much. However, when it gets close to time to choose you will be sucked in by your desire to give your child the very best. I visited many preschools and did indeed pick a more expensive one but still, it is pretty cheap. Our kiddos will be attending public elementary school because I believe that parents still have the most significant influence at that age and I can probably still understand their homework. At middle school we will think about going private but it will depend on our local school and childs personality - the junior high/high school years terrify me. As a friend recently said, "if there is no public school in town good enough for my child then it is time for me to really get involved in the school system because that is unacceptable."
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