Where to Send My Son to Kindergarten - What Would You Do?
Updated on
April 22, 2012
J.R.
asks from
Culver City, CA
12
answers
We are currently trying to decide where to send my son to school next year. He will be starting kindergarten in the fall, and our school district gives parents the option to apply to any school of their choice within the district if they do not want to send their child to their neighborhood school. Our neighborhood school is fine, but my son has been telling us that he wants to go to a school where he can learn Chinese. I just found out the other day that he got into the Chinese immersion school in our district. Now I am trying to decide if we should send him there.
The pros for the Chinese school: Obviously, they will teach him to speak Mandarin. I expect a higher level of parent involvement at this school than our neighborhood school, since all families have to apply to get in. I expect that it will have a more diverse student population than our neighborhood school. Also, my son is academically precocious, and I think learning a new language will provide the challenge he needs to keep from being bored in school. Besides all that, he says he wants to go here.
The cons: The two big ones are that it will likely take us 30 minutes to get there on time, and it starts at 7:30 AM. That means that my son will probably need to wake up around 6:15 AM, which means that he will probably need to go to bed earlier than he does now. Right now, both my son and his little sister sleep from roughly 8 PM to 8 AM. And I am NOT a morning person myself. I feel like this new schedule will constitute a massive lifestyle adjustment for the entire family.
The other big con is that the school’s principal tells me that he expects that the school will move their facilities in a year. They will most likely move to a place that is closer to our home, which would hopefully eliminate the hassle of the long commute. However, it adds more uncertainty about what is going to happen to the children in middle and high school. At its current location, the Chinese school feeds into a nearby middle and high school, so all the students will stay together for their entire school careers, which I like. If the school moves, it is not clear that this will remain the case. Worst-case scenario, all the students will disperse into their neighborhood high schools after 8th grade, so it’s possible that my kids won’t know very many people when they start high school. One of our big priorities for our kids is that they stay with a stable group of friends as much as possible. I know that things happen that are out of our control, but at the same time, as much as I can manage it, I’d like to minimize the number of times my children have to find themselves being the new kids at school.
Another con is that, since 80 percent of instruction will be in Mandarin, I think parents are expected to take the lead in teaching their own children if they want them to read in English before the second grade. This is kind of a minor consideration compared to the rest at this point, but it’s something I need to keep in mind. And neither my husband nor I speak Mandarin ourselves.
As for our neighborhood school, it is within a mile of our home. It starts only 15 minutes later than the Chinese school, but we obviously wouldn’t have to wake up so early because we won’t have as far to go. I’ve met the teachers at the neighborhood school, and they all seem great. There does seem to be pretty low parent involvement, which I don’t like, and there is no opportunity for my children to learn another language there. Otherwise, both the neighborhood school and the Chinese school are pretty well regarded and seem evenly matched as far as academic achievement, extracurricular activities offered, and school and class size. I don't know anyone who goes to either school, although I have friends of friends who go to the Chinese school that I am going to try to chat with about their experience.
So, given all that, I’d love to hear from other Mamapedia moms about what you would do in this situation? Would you send your child to the Chinese school or the neighborhood school? Are there other factors that I should be taking into consideration that I haven’t mentioned here?
Thanks for all the input so far. Just to clarify - this is an 80% immersion program for kindergarten and first grade, and then in second grade it switches so that Mandarin is just another class. At that point, they will be taught English grammar, spelling, etc., so that they can test on par with other students in the state. I think, however, the assumption is that students will already have at least a basic grasp of reading in English by the time the switch is made in second grade because the parents will have worked with them to that point.
All else being equal, I like the idea of him learning a second language at this young an age. I don't necessarily care if he ever speaks it fluently, but I do feel that exposure to a second language at this age will myelinate those neural pathways so that, if and when he does decide to learn another language when he is older, it will be easier for him. While I don't speak Mandarin, my parents do. However, they spoke a different Chinese dialect at home, which is what I understand. So there is also a cultural consideration (albeit a small one) that factors into our decision as well. I believe early exposure to two languages made picking up other languages, like Spanish, much easier for me. So that is a gift I would like to give my child if it's possible. I'm just trying to decide if it is worth dealing with all the other negatives about the school. It did occur to me that I could always send him to a separate class or hire a tutor if I really want him to learn another language, whether it's Mandarin or Spanish or whatever. Whereas I wouldn't be able to so easily replicate the primary positives of the neighborhood school. But, again, with the potential move, the objection based on the long commute may become moot.
Keep the advice coming. :)
Featured Answers
M.D.
answers from
San Francisco
on
I had a similar situation with my eldest. We commuted to the Spanish immersion program for 7 years (although not as far as 30 minutes, more like 20). In my experience, my daughter was able to "translate" what she learned in Spanish to English easily for testing. She got a perfect score on the state testing in Language Arts in second grade, even though 90% of K was Spanish, 80% of 1 and 70% of 2. It went down to 50% by grade 5.
I don't speak Spanish (but I picked up a lot) and helping with homework was challenging.
It was a positive experience for us.
Report This
More Answers
T.S.
answers from
San Francisco
on
Whatever you do DON'T make your decision based on what your son says he wants. He is five and has no clue about how to choose a school or program of study, no matter how bright he is.
Do what works best for the whole family. A longer commute affects everyone, and what if he ends up hating the foreign language aspect of it? You just never know.
Trust me, I have three kids who have wanted to dance, sing, play guitar, play club sports, you name it. Very few of those activities panned out for long (but thankfully a few did!) It's great to try new things and expose our kids to as much as we can but ultimately this is a decision that should be made looking at the bigger picture.
5 moms found this helpful
Report This
D.K.
answers from
Pittsburgh
on
I would absolutely go with the language immersion school. Any language actually - there are HUGE advantages to learning a language early - that window to learning closes early - earlier than most of us are exposed to a second language. The brains of bilingual children demonstrate more flexibility than those of us with one language. It is NOT the same to learn a language later on. Being bilingual will also make it much easier for your son to learn additional languages. And Mandarin - that will be a huge language in the world your son will live in in 15-20 years.
I would not view being bilingual as the same as going to ballerina school Only a tiny percentage of children who take ballet with become professional dancers and honestly that is NOT a life I would want for my child. Being mutilingual will only OPEN doors - to colleges, jobs in many fields (business, medicine, technology, really anything), travel when he is older.
I would not worry about what will happen after 8th grade. That could change for any of the schools - it will depend upon local population, school budgets and other factors. My junior high fed two different high schools and our high school combined several jr highs so I had the opportunity to meet lots of new friends in 10th grade. Not a bad thing. Besides - if the school moves closer to your home - the difference in the morning may become trivial.
2 moms found this helpful
Report This
M.P.
answers from
Pittsburgh
on
Not sure why it is so important that your child learns mandarin...yes, it is GREAT for a child to learn another language, but Mandarin? If your son is truly interested in learning this language I would suggest getting a tutor for him. It is more important that he is taught to read in English. I actually didn't mind the idea of this immersion school until I read this part. IMO you will be setting him up for poor communication with other kids once he merges into the high school, not to mention an academic struggle if he is not strong with English. Remember-beyond reading your son will also miss grammar and spelling in English with this program. Unless you foresee a move to China I would stick with the English school.
1 mom found this helpful
Report This
A.G.
answers from
Provo
on
My daughter is in a Chinese Immersion school and absolutely loves it. It is a lot closer than yours tho' - I don't know that I would do it if I had to drive that far. Also, ours doesn't start until 1st grade, so they have a solid start on reading and writing in English in Kindergarten. Those that have asked why Mandarin if you or your husband don't speak it - just in general the advantages of learning a foreign language are amazing. Mandarin is spoken by more people in the world than any other language. Most companies do most of their business with China...I have friends that work at advertising and scrap-booking stores that do most of their business with China. My brother will be graduating soon with his degree in Electrical Engineering - knowing Chinese, he will probably NEVER lack for work. Knowing Mandarin would be an incredible skill. Neither my husband or I speak Chinese (My brother does...but it's not like he communicates with her all the time). It has been the best thing we have done for her...but again...we didn't have to drive that far. Are there other people in your area that also attend that school that you could carpool with? That might help a bit. When we were looking into the Chinese program here, I emailed one of the teachers and asked for email addresses or phone numbers of parents that were in the program that I could call and talk to - that was a big help. In your position, the only thing that would make me think twice is the distance...all the other factors I believe would work themselves out. The first year my daughter did it was a little intense homework wise because she had Chinese homework as well as English - but that may have been partially because it was first grade, and not kindergarten. I know a lot of immersion schools that say they do not do homework in the 'non-English' language. You definitely don't want him to resent it :/.
(Worst comes to worse...you can always pull him out after the first year...I know they generally want a strong commitment...but every year we lose a few due to unexpected moves or simply the program not working for them).
ETA: The challenge has been VERY good for our daughter.
1 mom found this helpful
Report This
K.B.
answers from
San Francisco
on
Good answers so far. I would also suggest that the low parent involvement at the neighborhood school can change on a dime. In our school, last year's crop of kindergarten parents had a large group of enthusiastic people with energy and ideas, and have contributed a lot to our community. Two of those moms chaired our annual fundraiser and it was the most fun we've had raising money that I can remember. The PTA can be a great source for ideas, and it's something you can join and bring energy to as well. Involvement is infectious.
Our PTA also coordinates an after school enrichment program twice a year, generally 5 week courses in all sorts of things. One of them is Mandarin Chinese! Our instructor also teaches all over town, so there are opportunities to expand your son's education in ways where you don't have to immerse completely and commit to a huge change. I agree with Mamazita, he could be over it in 6 months and ready to move on to Italian :)
Report This
S.S.
answers from
Chicago
on
just out of idle curiosity why would you want your child put into a chinese speaking school if neither you nor your husband speaks the language? not judging just asking. this is something you will not be able to help with yet your "expecting" a lot of parental involvement. I just don't understand. the main factor you need to take into account is that your child needs a good education. at kindergarten I wanted to be a ballarina but my mom didn't go and enroll me full time in a ballet school lol. so just wondering at this choice.
Report This
P.C.
answers from
Los Angeles
on
My child is in an immersion program and is doing amazing. Believe there is a misconception of the immersion programs. Putting your child in one of these programs does not make them bilingual, it makes them biliterate a huge difference. I believe that it is such a woderful gift to give your child, and it's free. Not only will your child learn to speak, read and write in other language, but will learn about another culture.
I had the same concern about my child keeping up with the English.he is in first grade and I can tell you that he now speaks, reads and writes in both languages.
Report This
E.K.
answers from
Los Angeles
on
I think it is an amazing opportunity for your child to learn Mandarin now and you shouldn't worry about the English learning part esp if your child is precocious. I have 3 nephews who did full Mandarin lang immersion K-6 in public school and it wasn't til essay writing in 4-5th grade that they though their English writing skills could be better so they did some tutoring over the summer and that was all they needed. Their Chinese prog in Middle & High School was only 2 periods per day and their parents began to worry about their Chinese! Since your school's Chinese drops in 2nd gr, you shouldn't have a problem My nephews have had so many opportunities to trave free for their Chinese all thru high school and the oldest has a full tuition due to his Chinese as a freshman with no strings attached.
Report This
D.M.
answers from
Denver
on
I would go for the local school. Don't underestimate the value of living near your friends and building those relationships. Let him be a kid and enjoy going to school with his friends. Kindergarten is just as much about social development as it is academic. I do agree learning a new language early is a GREAT idea and valuable... can you find a class he can attend outside of school? Lastly, we commute to Kindergarten now - 20 miles... I can't wait until that changes next year. The stress and time of it all does take a toll on your family-patience and time together.
Report This
S.O.
answers from
San Antonio
on
WOW!
Knowing Mandarin Chinese might be a great skill to have someday. Or this could be a headache for travel and commuting for no real good reason.
Where I am at now, knowing English and French are very important!!! Where I was at 5 yrs ago, knowing Spanish would have been very important!! So will your son ever need to be fluent in Mandarin Chinese?
When we have made school choices we have looked at 1) the whole educational pkg of opportunities for our kids (every subject and all the extracurricular chances) 2) the quality of the teachers 3) the responsiveness of the administrators to our questions 4) the travel and commute (if it is a pain to get there and go back in the afternoon, you will regret your choice, as your son speaks Chinese on that long trip) and 5) friends. Where are the majority of the neighborhood kids going? One or two kids from a whole neighborhood going to a school far from home causes them to lose touch with neighbors soon.
Also, there are plenty of opportunities to learn another language in middle school or high school!! And then it will be his choice on what he wants to learn! One son took Latin, one took German, I took French, my nephew took Mandarin and hated it after 2 yrs....so he needs to be in a place where he can pick up a language that he wants to learn when he is ready to learn it.
So take all 5 factors into account and decide. Good luck!
Report This
K.N.
answers from
Boston
on
My daughter is a high school senior who has been very successful academically. I attribute a large part of her success to her K - 5 years in a Spanish immersion program.
If an immersion program is available for your child, I have two words of advice: Do it.
Yes, the early acquisition of a second language very positively influences neural pathways. This is a wonderful, wonderful opportunity.
My daughter never had a math class in English until the 6th grade (when we moved her to a competitive private school). That said, she's still doing just fine in AP Calculus this year and has been in the honors math track all through high school. She didn't formally learn to read in English until the 3rd grade. It hasn't been a problem at all.
