Anyone sending their child to a school where the white kid is the minority?

[PlanoGirl]

Originally Posted by momof2dfw

A good friends children attend a very new elementary school in far east Richardson that is part of the Plano ISD. Schell Elementary. They have something like 30-something languages spoken and an entire population of people from all over the globe. They had a HUGE map of the world in the main hallway and they had the kids put where their "homeland" was and there wasn't a spot on it that didn't have a "dot", well not the ocean of course.

That IS cool. My parents actually live right by the elem, so I know which one you are talking about.

My son's preschool (in Plano) is similar....between the only 140 students and 14 teachers, 23 countries are represented.

To the OP, my son is also a huge minority (white) in his school, with the highest ethnic representation being Indian and Arab. I love the experience for him...I hope for similar diversity as we move into elementary school as well. Being so young in this environment, I don't think he even really registers the color differences...he just sees skin color the same way he may see different eye color or nose shapes or height or size...it is just a part of each person's appearance but certainly doesn't define them in any way.

As far as the parents go...some people you click with, some you don't...I don't know that it necessarily has to do anything with their culture, religion, etc...it's the whole package, ya know....having things in common goes way beyond skin color. I grew up with a number of Indian friends, so I do naturally feel comfortable around this culture. However, that being said, there have been times at my son's school where I have felt a little left out...for example, when a group of ladies where discussing their plans for Diwali, or some else significant to their culture. However, I just remind myself that they too might feel out of place if I was sitting around with friends discussing Christmas plans. So instead of feeling uncomfortable about it, I jump into the conversation, asking questions and educating myself about their culture, traditions, etc. Also, becoming involved in the PTA gave me common ground with the other parents and hence, have enabled me to make great friendships with parents of all ethnicities.

Good Luck...I think you are making a wise choice for your child!

[soraji]

I went to a school where whites were by far the minority. I'd say 90% of us were multi-racial. I, myself, am half white and half Asian. All my friends were mixes of Asian, black, white, native American, etc. There were very few pure white kids and very few pure black, Hispanic, etc. kids. I went to a high school on a military base in Korea and I really, really enjoys the multi-racial aspect. There was no reigning "ethnicity" since 90% of us were mixed. There were a lot of white+Asian kids, black+Asian, and Hispanic+Asians. My best friends were Asian-White, 100% Asian, Puerto Rican, and Black-Asian. I think it was a great environment to grow up in since there wasn't a huge focus on "So-and-so is black" or "So-and-so is Hispanic" because there were basically NO 100% ANYTHINGS. Everyone was very accepting and everyone was friends with everyone else. I really think that over the next few hundred years there won't be specific "races" of people anymore and I sincerely hope not! If I had a chance to send my kids to a school like the one I went to, I would.