Private schools and preschool co-ops reasonable distance from Stow (Sudbury: coop, vs.)

[PTMom]

One of the areas we are looking into as we consider a move to MA is Stow. We like the rural atmosphere and the fact that you can get some acreage there. It would be a big change for us, though, as we currently don't drive more than 5-7 minutes to go anywhere... shopping, museums, concerts, everything.

Not so sure about the schools in Stow. How are they? Are there any good private schools that are within a reasonable distance? How about preschools and preschool co-ops? The co-op idea is fairly foreign to me as we don't have those in South Carolina, but I've checked out some websites for some in Sudbury and other places and like what I see. Can anyone share a preschool coop experience?

Thanks!

[CaseyB]

All of my kids went to a preschool co-operative of one sort of the other. One school had different tuition rates for those who wanted to participate vs. other parents who did not. My youngest child went to a school where you were assigned days to work as a condition of enrollment, although is wasn't called a co-op.

Overall, I'd say it was a good experience. At least with my first I really enjoyed it. Bad parts are that you would might be assigned to take kids to the bathroom and of course getting them dressed to go outside in the winter is a challenge.