[Sunnycat]

Not sure how to really word these questions but here goes!

My DS is only 16 months old but I've started looking into schools for him as we need to decide whether to stay or move and where to go in the next few years etc.

I was thinking of enrolling DS into a Montessori primary school and then sending him to the local public school (if it's still good by then).

DH thinks this is a waste of time as if we're going to fork out tens of thousands of dollars each year we should do it while DS is in high school as that is when he'll get the most out of it.

DH did terribly at school, very bright, but got bored and distracted. He went to one of the best public schools in WA, but it just wasnt right for him. I do wonder if the lack of encouragement from home contributed to this as well. I can't even remember back to school to recall whether my experience was good or bad education wise.

I am really confused. So my questions are:

1. How do you know what kind of education will suit your child? Do you just wait and see and then change them later on?
2. How do you know if the schools in your area are good?
3. How did you choose your child's school?
4. Is primary education as important as secondary education? (I would have thought yes, but DH thinks aside from learning to read and write, no).

TIA

This post has been edited by Sunnycat: 24/02/2013, 12:12 AM

[NotBitzerMaloney]

You don't know what your child is going to be like, so you do need to start somewhere and see how it goes - or work it out when they are a preschooler.

How do you know which are good? Find current parents and ask them. Ask neighbourhood shopkeepers, check out the schoolls directly, etc. You could look at NAPLAN results over time for the same cohort, but meh...

We chose a school based on it meeting our requirements (K-12, sporty, good academics but not selective and big on art&drama) and then chose the closest of the schools on the short list.

I think primary education is extremely important, but I know that isn't a commonly held view.

Most important preparation for school is for you to be prepared to have people tell you your choices are wrong. The things people have said to me about my choice for DS' school astound me.

[Etcetera]

I think primary school is very important as it sets up (or should set up) a love of learning. Getting those basics down is so important and unless that happens, further schooling is going to be harder.

I think it's way too early to know what your child is going to need. I love the idea of Montessori, our preschool was very much in that vein and I thought it was brilliant. It didn't suit my eldest at all, though DS2 thrived.

Choosing a school was tough as we haven't long been in the area and its a different state so the system is different to what DH and I grew up knowing. We visited some schools and were very upfront about DS and his needs (he has ASD) and chose schools based on their attitude, resources etc. I had envisaged them going to the school down the road that we could walk to but we bypass two others to get to ours 10minutes drive away.

[LynnyP]

I agree entirely that you talk to people whose children got to the schools, talk to pre school teachers about your child's preferences for learning when the time comes, tour the schools, watch the kids going to and from, read the websites and newsletters.

I also agree that primary is as important as secondary.

[Sunnycat]

Thanks for the responses

I'm going to sign DS up to a Montessori play group and see if that suits him. At the moment I have concerns that he's behind for his age, although other parents tell me that he is normal, so I really want to get him on the right track ASAP.

I have no idea about the schools around here, there is one affordable private school and then the normal public schools. We don't live in a posh area but I don't think we live in a terrible area either.

[MakeLoveNotBacon]

We chose Montessori because I believe it suits every child - it's child-led learning so fits with the child's interest. I guess it does depend on the school and teachers though.

Anyway we started off at Play Group at two different schools and also attended the Open Days of additional two, so looked into four schools all up. You can also do a class observation (30-60 mins in classroom). They will also send you a Information Pack.

I think the lower years are really important for education. I feel in sets up the foundation of learning (something that Montessori believes too as they like them to start at 3).

[JBH]

When looking at primary options I spoke to a few high school teachers (public and private), who were able to give me some insight about their experience of students coming from different primary schools. I also spoke to parents of students at a few schools. We ended up buying a house in the catchment zone of our favoured public school. DS1 started this year.

[Sunnycat]

Madame Protart, will your children go to a Montessori high school as well?

[jm3]

1. How do you know what kind of education will suit your child? Do you just wait and see and then change them later on?

I think it's impossible to tell. In my experience you either have a strong opinion about where your child should go or you don't. I would, and have, changed schools after a few years when I didn't think it was suiting my DD.

2. How do you know if the schools in your area are good?

Ask around locally. Go on a tour and get a feel for the place. Ultimately, no matter which school you choose, it's going to be a new experience and one that you might be happy with or regret. It's so hard to know.

3. How did you choose your child's school?

We wanted a catholic education because we felt that was 'better' than public but not as expensive as private. After four years she was moved to a public school which had far smaller class sizes and more resources for a cheaper fee. Second child will go where the first one is now but we would look at a private school with a good reputation if she gets a letter of offer.

4. Is primary education as important as secondary education? (I would have thought yes, but DH thinks aside from learning to read and write, no).

I actually think primary is more important. If you get to high school and you can't read, write, think mathematically and creatively then it won't matter which school you're at you'll likely always be behind. I think go for the best school you can afford which offers the smallest class sizes you can find!

[MakeLoveNotBacon]

Madame Protart, will your children go to a Montessori high school as well?

I hope so but will have to see. My main issue with the high schools is the very limited numbers. I think one school had maybe 10ish kids and the other maybe 20ish doing high school. I like a small school, but that might be a bit too small. I'm hoping to find something that will compliment Montessori with a larger number of students.