Peterborough

[renlouis]

Rexicana -

Thanks so much for that. It sounds like public school may be an option - I expect both kids to go to college and want them to have as many choices as possible, but don't want them to have a nervous breakdown getting through middle school and high school! Our schools sound very similar to Concord - they are known for being the top schools in the state, but that comes with a high price! The kids that are considered "successful" are involved in lots of things and are achieving at a very high level. The kids that I would consider "normal" are considered unmotivated and lazy. A high percentage of all of the kids use drugs and alcohol fairly extensively. In fact, I was thrilled that the school district instituted a mandatory random drug testing program for all students involved in any extracurricular activity or who have a parking permit at the school. If their student doesn't fall into one of those categories, the parents can opt to put their kid in the program. The school had to do something because they were having overdoses right and left last year, I think there were 2 deaths last year, and many hospitalizations. Crazy, huh? What have you heard about drug use at Conval and Keene high schools?

[JCPTNH08]

I can only speak for Conval, but it's bad. I know of both current students and recent grads that have said pot, cocaine and ecstasy are easily available. Drinking outside of school is the norm as well. One recent grad said that she couldn't make it through the halls between classes without being offered drugs 5 or 6 times. Unfortunately, I think this is the case in most schools these days. As parents, we need to educate like crazy and let our kids know the consequences that drug use can have. I doubt you'll avoid it in any school.

[renlouis]

JCPT - I know you're right - it's all over. I know parents who are paying out the nose for private school in an effort to protect their kids and it's not hard to get there either (maybe not quite so easily accessible??). I'm hoping that the random drug testing in our district will help - I think they are testing approx. 100 kids per week from each campus (out of about 3600), which means that on average, each kid will be tested about once a year, since not every kid is in the program - I can't imagine a parent passing on it, given the environment they are in - but that's just me......

[baobob girl]

We moved to Peterborough from CA and the change in cost of living allowed us to afford Moutain Shadows. We actually chose Peterborough specifically for the school. My husband toured Peterborough Elementary and he really did like it a lot. I have friends with kids there and it does sound like a great school. My daughter just needed more one on one attention. MS is $7500 a year.

[renlouis]

baobob - Thanks - I called Mountain Shadows today and they are sending me some info. I was happy to hear the 7500 after talking to The Well yesterday. I think their tuition was 11,500 for the younger and 12 for the older. I'd love to hear more about what you think of Mountain Shadows - you can PM me if that would be better for you. Thanks so much!

[renlouis]

Just thought I'd let you know that my husband's interview went well (thanks for all your positive thoughts!!) and they are going to bring us both up to check out houses, schools, etc. (and I guess make the final decision on him, as well as us making our final decision). I am really excited to come see Keene and Peterborough and decide what will work best for us. He will be working in Keene (almost downtown), so Peterborough would be a bit of a commute - I think he'd rather be in Keene, but where we live will likely depend on the school we decide on. If you all have any ideas of what we should look at (besides The Well School, Mountain Shadows, and Monadnock Waldorf) I am excited about seeing the Well School and Mountain Shadows. What do you all know aobut Monadnock Waldorf or the Waldorf schools in general? How well do you think they prepare kids for a college prep high school curriculum?? Thanks so much again for all of the great info and the good wishes!!

[dubthang]

Originally Posted by renlouis

What do you all know aobut Monadnock Waldorf or the Waldorf schools in general? How well do you think they prepare kids for a college prep high school curriculum?? Thanks so much again for all of the great info and the good wishes!!

I grew up right down the street from this place. Several of my friends went there. They are um... different. The school built an addition a few years back that looks fairly nice. They have an arty, earth based approach to teaching/learning. One of my friends now resides in NYC making music and smoking pot. I'd consider him sucessful. He is doing what he wants, and he is an incredible musician. I don't know a whole lot about it, but in high school the kids seemed more aligned (socially/mentally) with home schoolers as opposed to public schools. My biggest memories of this place were playing basketball there on the weekends, and throwing rocks (daily) at the kids there as we walked home from the Keene Middle School (in our defense, they started it).

Regardless of where your kids go to school, you won't be able to fully protect them from drugs and alcohol. It's everywhere. When I was in college it seemed that I heard more kids talking about doing drugs in private school than the public school kids, oh well.

If you run into a bind with housing, check out Marlborough. Not much of a downtown (they do have a coffee shop), but there are some really nice houses for decent prices there.

[WannaComeHome]

congrats on getting to the next step on the interviewing! how exciting.

[NH2008]

I have done some research on Waldorf education. In the early years the kids are "behind" academically because the Waldorf philosophy prohibits teaching kids to read before age 7 and parents are encouraged to engage in lots oral storytelling but no reading aloud (the theory being that seeing illustrations is limiting, while listening to stories forces kids to be more engaged and imagine the scene, if I'm recalling correctly.) In later years they catch up and tend to do very well.

Waldorf is not just an educational method. It sprang from a religion/philosophy called anthroposophy that is really controversial and I would encourage you to investigate it before signing up for the school. It may be perfect for your family, or you may decide it's not right for you, but you should know its origins. The role of the philosophy in Waldorf schools today is hotly debated. I believe the schools are officially secular/ecumenical, but some allege that there is still a strong influence.

I know people who have loved having their kids in Waldorf schools, feeling they got to prolong the innocence of childhood. I know other people who removed their kids from the schools because they got fed up with the arcane rules (woolen undershirts, no tv, only wooden toys even at home w/no plastic ever, etc.) I'm sure a lot depends on how rigidly the particular school adheres to the rules - a lot of schools seem to incorporate a lot of the good stuff from Waldorf philosophy (gardening, storytelling, cooking) and de-emphasize the more unusual stuff.

Anyway, visit the school, do your homework, and I'm sure you'll get a sense of whether it would be right for your family. HTH!

[renlouis]

Oh wow - that would be a problem. Woolen undershirts!!???!!! There is NO WAY that I could pull my kids from the TV after 10 and 13 years - it is part of their life! I'll have to look into some other options if we are in Keene. I think Mountain Shadows is maybe 25 minutes, so that will probably still be an option. And I will, of course, take a better look at the public schools. My husband and I are public school kids, so that would be ideal if it seems they can get what they need there. Thanks for the info - and thanks for the Congratulations Wanna!!