Same-sex family welcome at religious schools? (Houston: daycare, home, top schools)

[TexansFan]

Our child will be entering K in 2016 and my partner and I are looking at private schools. We are what I would consider a pretty run-of-the-mill family, but we are a same-sex couple. As there are only a few secular schools in Houston, we are trying to determine whether our child should apply to some of the religious ones, and if so, which one(s). FWIW, we are semi-practicing Episcopalians.

There are only two bullet points on our agenda:
(1) high-quality eduction;
(2) a supportive environment that accepts and embraces our child's family as equal to the family of any other (read "straight") family.

Among the secular schools, we are considering Kinkaid, SJS, The Fay School, and Awty. Any thoughts on whether we would be welcome at AOS, ROBS, Presbyterian, STE? Any others we should consider (we live in the Heights-area)?

Thanks for any input.

[EasilyAmused]

First of all, do you know how hard these schools you listed are to get in to? Have you tested your child ...already? Are they going to Poo Corner for Pre-k, or even Kinakaid and St. Francis?Run of the Mill and these schools don't go hand and hand. Connections, legacy,donations, a talent the school desires,intelligence are the way into Kinkaid and SJS (which btw does have Chapel).

Robs,Fay,Awty and AOS are a much easier starting point, but if your child is average they will never make the transition into the top private High Schools.

None of these schools find being gay parents a negative,or even the slightest bit interesting for a "diversity pass."

Good Luck.

[stan4]

Consider home schooling.
Not bc of your sexuality, etc.
But because you want a really great education for your kid.

[TexansFan]

Originally Posted by EasilyAmused

First of all, do you know how hard these schools you listed are to get in to? Have you tested your child ...already? Are they going to Poo Corner for Pre-k, or even Kinakaid and St. Francis?Run of the Mill and these schools don't go hand and hand. Connections, legacy,donations, a talent the school desires,intelligence are the way into Kinkaid and SJS (which btw does have Chapel).

Robs,Fay,Awty and AOS are a much easier starting point, but if your child is average they will never make the transition into the top private High Schools.

None of these schools find being gay parents a negative,or even the slightest bit interesting for a "diversity pass."

Good Luck.

Our child is in a very good preschool, and many kids get in to the top tier schools. In fact, he already got in to Fay at PK3, but we opted to keep him where he is. I was born and raised in Houston and went to SJS, so I am, indeed, well-informed about the academic rigor of the top schools. I also know that being a legacy only guarantees my child the chance to test for SJS, and there are no guarantees; frequently it is a "numbers game," even for the brightest. Hence, we are looking for back-ups. But I don't want to waste my child's time and my money applying to a school that doesn't like "my kind."

I am just not sure how Baptist ROBS is (I can guess about First Baptist and Second Baptist, and we aren't interested), or the degree of orthodoxy for AOS. The Presbyterian and Episcopalian churches tend to be more liberal on "the gay thing," but if someone has the inside scoop, or can suggest a school that I haven't thought about, I would love to hear it.

I was kinda hoping for the diversity pass though (j/k)

[stan4]

Why not go to St Johns, then?
Good school.
I know a few people who went there in the 90s.
They had good things to say...except maybe about money issues between kids.

[KatieKennedy]

ROBS is Baptist but not hard shell Baptist like First and Second. I doubt your child or you would feel any discrimination there at the school. If you have a question call Kristin Poe the admissions director and ask. She is a straight shooter. The religious emphasis is Christian but with a heavy on developing good character traits in the child.

[KatieKennedy]

Look at St. Stephens Episcopal very liberal and near your home.

[chris_ut]

If people would stop putting their kids through religious indoctrination we wouldn't need to have these conversations in another generation.

[Glossa]

Originally Posted by chris_ut

If people would stop putting their kids through religious indoctrination we wouldn't need to have these conversations in another generation.

Seriously? Wow. It's discouraging knowing there are people out there like you.

[Houmove]

You might want to check out the kipling school as it is in your area and secular. It is a new school so I don't really know much about it (although their daycare is good).
If I may tag on my own question here, I would like to hear about any other non religiously affiliated private schools in the area as I do not feel comfortable with a religious education for my son.