Q: [School-Aged] My daughter just moved into a different school for fourth grade and it just isn’t gelling. The older crowd has her worried about bullies and a lot of the joys of her day at her elementary school (music, art, drama) are missing due to budget cuts. We’re thinking private, but is switching midstream bad? Should we make her stick it out? Is it too late to jump into a new school? We just want her to love and be excited about school again.
A: Making a school change is a difficult decision for any family, however, there are many reasons a family may want to consider this an option. Your daughter is in fourth grade and still at an age in which you want to protect her. All the while, she is simultaneously growing and maturing right in front of your eyes, so I understand your thoughts on having her “stick it out.” In terms of being concerned about bullying, I would set up a conference with her teacher. He or she will be able to give you a more accurate picture of any type of bullying that may be going on at the school and who your daughter spends most of her time with during the school day.
Music, art, and drama are such important aspects of any student’s overall education. Core teachers do their best to incorporate them into their daily plans, but often find it challenging. Many private schools still offer music, art, drama, physical education, technology, and foreign language as part of the daily curriculum. If these subjects are important to you and your family, I would definitely consider a switch.
Changing schools midyear is completely fine and in fact more common than most parents realize. I recommend touring several private schools during a regular school day and seeing how comfortable you feel at each one. Look at the curriculum, discuss class sizes, and meet the teacher if possible. Some private schools offer a free trial day, so this is always an excellent option if available. You will then be able to make an educated decision for what you feel will be the best fit to ensure your daughter’s academic and social success and a love for learning in either a public or private school.
Kristin Dickson is Head of School at Page Academy, an independent, private co-ed early childhood and elementary school in Newport Mesa offering an excellent academic education with a creative and individual approach to learning and low student-to-teacher ratio. www.pageschool.com
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