OMG, Seattle Public School that horrifying?! Need advice! (public schools, safe)

[Ira500]

Originally Posted by PacificMermaid

want to confirm...Spectrum/APP program usually start from 1st grade? The five schools I mentioned earlier won't have this program for Kindergarden?

That's how I read it. Kindergartners are tested for entrance into Spectrum/APP for the following year.

[Jennibc]

Originally Posted by Bill Loney

I have 2 daughters that attended Whittier ES in Ballard. Both were in the Spectrum Program. Superb school. Great program. A private school education in the public sector. Can't say how it is now since it's been 8 years.

Spectrum was the top 5%, APP was the top 1%.

Generally speaking those schools will test very well as a result.

Actually, three years ago when my son was in APP it was Spectrum top 10% and APP top 2%. And yes, those programs don't start until first grade and my understanding is that Spectrum doesn't start until third grade at View Ridge (although at Wedgwood it starts in first).

[Hemlock140]

Due to the continuing poor performance of the school district management, the Seattle schools, especially the good ones, are becoming more and more overcrowded and old closed schools will be opened up. That creates an unsure situation if you are not within a few blocks of a good school, you could get moved in a year or two into a different one when they do boundary changes to balance the sizes.

As for day care, the better facilities have long waiting lists and charge about $1,500-$2,000/month. That's why the all-day K has a waiting list or lottery to get in, it's a lot cheaper than day care.

You should be able to visit schools, meet the principal and potential teachers in advance. I would also go to a school board meeting or two before deciding on public vs private and Seattle vs eastside schools. When we moved here I went to probably 6 different school board meetings (all eastside) and it made a big difference in where we bought our home.

[west seattle gal]

John Stanford has an excellent reputation, so ignore the bad reviews. I tried to enroll my son, but it's impossible unless you live within the school boundaries (around Wallingford). My first grader is at Jane Addams K-8, and option school, and I have been very impressed w/ the quality of teaching, curriculum, diversity of the student body, and highly educated parent population.

Like you, I was terrified to enter the Seattle Public School system. The district politics is chaotic & schools underfunded. However, we were very pleasantly surprised. I no longer obsess over private schools for my child. Additionally, I realize that all my fears/worry/stress about K were unfounded. We are unnecessarily critical about our schools. I do agree the prior superintendent was worthless, but the new interim is top-notch.

Though one school may list higher scores than another, in reality all of the schools share the same curriculum. Parents in Seattle are highly educated and motivated, so most PTAs are very strong (and the PTA is the main funding for enrichment/supplemental activities after school programs). The teachers mostly have the same degrees and certification. Your child will receive an excellent education at any of our schools since you as a parent are likely to be very involved.

[west seattle gal]

Originally Posted by PacificMermaid

Thanks for the suggestion. The private school is off the table at this point. A top notch private school in my current city is 20k/year, mediocre one 8k to 13k, excluding after school. Wonder about the price tags in Seattle.

same here

[Bill Loney]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

You should be able to visit schools, meet the principal and potential teachers in advance. .

Absolute GOLDEN ADVICE. The culture bestowed upon the school by the administration can make all the difference in the world. Good and bad.

[PacificMermaid]

West Seattle Gal, thanks for your response. We just came back from the Seattle trip...pleased with facility of the couple of the schools(including John International) we have been to...All the possible schools(because of the proximility to UW) are ranked within 100th. So I wonder, - why am I so obsessed with John International being ranked at 43rd? My girl is only going to kindergarden.


The issue comes for us, -how can we gurantee there is one spot for the spanish class at John International? More work to do.

[Kalex]

I've been trying to dig this info up as well. We won't be in John Stanford district, but my daughter is currently in a full-immersion Japanese program and I really would prefer not to stop the language by moving. Can I ask where you find the ranking info and the other reviews? So far I've only found the GreatSchools stuff.

our flight is 4.5 hrs also - just came back from a school hunting trip and going to have to go back soon for a second!

[Hemlock140]

When you are looking for gifted, advanced, and special language programs (also music and art) keep in mind that with state budget issues and the next round of 2 billion in education cuts coming,
there is no guarantee these programs will be in effect next year. Another consideration in school choice is how the parents and community support education. Look at the amount of funds raised by the PTSA. Districts that have an active, productive schools foundation such as Mercer Island are able to keep such programs by paying for them locally, and sometimes allow students from neighboring districts such as Bellevue take their unique classes.

[Ira500]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

When you are looking for gifted, advanced, and special language programs (also music and art) keep in mind that with state budget issues and the next round of 2 billion in education cuts coming,
there is no guarantee these programs will be in effect next year. Another consideration in school choice is how the parents and community support education. Look at the amount of funds raised by the PTSA. Districts that have an active, productive schools foundation such as Mercer Island are able to keep such programs by paying for them locally, and sometimes allow students from neighboring districts such as Bellevue take their unique classes.

They might be cutting programs in a lot of public schools, but in Seattle, John Stanford International school and it's sister the Beacon Hill International school would appear to be very safe ( for now). John Stanford does Spanish and Japanese, Beacon Hill does Spanish and Mandarin. They're not going anywhere. The make the school district look good, and there's not much else the Seattle School district does that makes it look good.