New to Arizona, French speaker, very lost, need advice (Tucson: how much, school districts)

[a2000b2050]

I am new to grand canyon state, came from quebec/canada. my daughter will be 5 on august 1st, 2009.

Can you help me understand:
1.arizona/US scholar system, I mean steps from primary to university
2.when a child is supposed to start elementary school, 5 or 6 or ? my daughter does not know any word in english (she knows only anglais which is the translation of english). so big change for her, what do you suggest me to do
3.I am looking for a nice place to live and to school my children, what would be the best places for a normal modest person.

thanks,

[observer53]

To enter kindergarten a child must be five years old on or before September 1 of the year they enter school. After kindergarten, there are eight years of primary education. Some school districts have junior high schools or middle schools for grades 6-8 or 7 through 9, from which the child goes to high school for grades 10-12. Others have schools for grades K-8, and then high school for grades 9-12. Which system your children are in depends on the school "district" you live within. University after that.

[a2000b2050]

thanks for your answers,
I understood from observer53 (thanks) that she will be accepted in kindergarten as she will be 5 before september.
Moderator deleted...Not English please read TOS.
are there free public schools for children or everything is $$?

thx

[motormaker]

Sorry, I know you folks are trying to help, but per the TOS:

English is the only language to be used this board, use translation software if needed.

[MalteseJane]

Ok sorry. I will translate.
As far as I know, public schools are free.
Montessori accepts kids 3 and 4 years old even if they don't speak english. They don't accept 5 years old. I would suggest having your daughter take private lessons in english during the summer. At that age they learn quick. Or as Marizona suggested register her for summer activities. And then she will be ready for kindergarten in fall.
I just talked to my daughter, public preschool is not free. That's why she put her kids in Montessori. It was the same price.

[a2000b2050]

sorry for discussion in other language.
when you talk of preschool not free, how much approximatly a month $.


thanks

[YAZ]

Aw, c'mon you guys...you couldn't figure out the Francais?



A 4 or 5 year old will get along fine here...prob'ly speak better l'anglais than most of us at 14 years of age...LOL

Man, the climate change is gonna be a trip....

Moderator edited...Not English, please read TOS.

I think the Coyotes are gonna be gone...

Not English, please read TOS.

Please excuse me, it's been a long time.

[MalteseJane]

Originally Posted by a2000b2050

sorry for discussion in other language.
when you talk of preschool not free, how much approximatly a month $.


thanks

You need to ask the school. My daughter does not remember. And the price might have changed anyway because this was 2 or 3 years ago. She thinks it was something like 250 or 350 $ a month for 2-1/2 hours a day, either in the morning or in the afternoon. I think your daughter is too old for preschool. I think you worry too much. Kids learn a language very quick. Put her in front of the TV with some kids cartoons. You will see how fast she will speak english. My daughter was 9 years old when we came to Houston. 6 months later she was fluent in english and made fun of her mother who had trouble with pronunciation.

[a2000b2050]

MalteseJane,
thanks for the info. it's motivating, what age children start school, is it at 5 or 6?

thanks

[T-H]

There are two French schools in Arizona - the International School of Arizona in Scottsdale and the International School of Tucson in Tucson. As well as teaching French and English, they also have higher standards than regular Arizona schools.