At this time of year, preschool parents are discovering that they have a tough decision to make – kindergarten selection. As a parent of a preschooler myself, I’ve recently been immersed in the wonderful world of classroom sizes, test scores, transportation options, extra-curricular activities, PTSA involvement, after school care, and profiles of teachers and principals.
If you are like me, selecting the right kindergarten is a serious undertaking, but it is definitely not exempt from emotion either. It is my child’s future here! Navigating the application and public school assignment process presents its own unique challenges. If this sounds all too familiar to you, you might be interested in some of the resources I’ve been using to select the right college… er, kindergarten, for my child.
If you are considering Seattle public schools, the district’s enrollment pages have the latest enrollment guides, school tour dates, and district calendars. The district site also has a list of individual school profiles and school websites.
The Seattle Times School Guide provides a very comprehensive overview of both public and private area schools. For those struggling with a place to begin, the site also includes helpful “how to” articles to help frame an approach.
For an entertaining and informative look at the private kindergarten application process, check out Alan Eisenstock’s book, The Kindergarten Wars: The Battle to Get into America’s Best Private Schools. This intriguing story follows four families working diligently to get their children into the best private schools (for help getting started with downloadable books).
The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) gives a statewide perspective of education choices. This is a good place to compare individual schools or district statistics.
Considering homeschooling? The Washington Homeschool Organization (WHO) is a statewide non-profit organization that provides information and support for parents that are considering this option for their children.
These resources have helped me understand the strengths in individual schools and begin to match these up to the unique needs of my child and my family. I hope they are helpful to you as well.
~ Jay L.
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