SBISD elem school change (Houston, Spring: real estate, apartments, houses)

[SpringBrancher]

So, actually that lady sending her kid to MHS is breaking the law. They arrested someone for doing that same thing even when the father who was zoned to the better school district paid taxes there.

I'm completely confused with the dual langaue program. How is this beneficial. Does my child have to learn Spanish?

[katygirl68]

Originally Posted by SpringBrancher

So, actually that lady sending her kid to MHS is breaking the law. They arrested someone for doing that same thing even when the father who was zoned to the better school district paid taxes there.

I'm completely confused with the dual langaue program. How is this beneficial. Does my child have to learn Spanish?

Yes, your child would become fluent in Spanish. That's probably a good thing.

[katygirl68]

Is it really so bad there now? I grew up in Spring Branch, went to Spring Shadows Elementary, Northbrook Junior High, Spring Woods Junior High, and Northbrook High School. It was a pretty suburban area in the '80s, but surrounded by apartments. They shut down schools when I was there, which hurt Northbrook, but I didn't think it got so bad. It could be like my area of Katy north if I-10, where we have a very diverse population but still good schools. People should stop trying to transfer out and make the local schools nice again.

[SpringBrancher]

Originally Posted by katygirl68

People should stop trying to transfer out and make the local schools nice again.

How does one person make the school system better?

[Lbjen]

Originally Posted by SpringBrancher

But you understand that spring branch is a massive area where all but a few schools are predominately "limited English proficiency" at staggering volumes? This is an enormous swath of our city. Is it not fair to allow those proficient in English to share classes? It would still be very diverse. Or does everyone with English proficient kids have to leave their suburban ranch house for katy the minute their kid is old enough to go to school?

When my oldest was about to start kinder, I discovered that the school we were zoned to (in IL) predominantly served Russian speaking kids who came to school to learn English. My kid was reading at a 3rd grade level. They wouldn't put us in another school so I moved. It's what you do. Everyone has a reason why a rule should be broken for their kid, but they have to draw the line somewhere. Would I love to live closer to the city and not have to go broke to get my kid into a good school? Sure. But if they let me do it, they'd have to let everyone do it.

[SpringBrancher]

There must be a critical mass of native English speaking students.

[jerbear30]

Originally Posted by katygirl68

Is it really so bad there now? I grew up in Spring Branch, went to Spring Shadows Elementary, Northbrook Junior High, Spring Woods Junior High, and Northbrook High School. It was a pretty suburban area in the '80s, but surrounded by apartments. They shut down schools when I was there, which hurt Northbrook, but I didn't think it got so bad. It could be like my area of Katy north if I-10, where we have a very diverse population but still good schools. People should stop trying to transfer out and make the local schools nice again.

The schools are not ranked on a par with the Katy schools you're talking about, but it's also not a bad place to live. Lots of different people, and a wide variety of neighborhoods. It's close to the city and we have the memorial/city centre stuff nearby.

[Vicman]

Originally Posted by SpringBrancher

I'm completely confused with the dual langaue program. How is this beneficial. Does my child have to learn Spanish?

It may be good to speak to the school. If you are not interested in the program they may arrange a special transfer for your child.

Originally Posted by Lbjen

When my oldest was about to start kinder, I discovered that the school we were zoned to (in IL) predominantly served Russian speaking kids who came to school to learn English. My kid was reading at a 3rd grade level. They wouldn't put us in another school so I moved. It's what you do. Everyone has a reason why a rule should be broken for their kid, but they have to draw the line somewhere. Would I love to live closer to the city and not have to go broke to get my kid into a good school? Sure. But if they let me do it, they'd have to let everyone do it.

Was the school the only elementary school in the district? Which district was it?

HISD schools which have school-wide special programs often do allow special transfers for parents not interested in the programs. Example: Woodrow Wilson K-8. All teachers must do the Montessori program there. If you are zoned to Wilson and are not interested in Montessori, the school will arrange a transfer for your child.

[Lbjen]

It was an unofficial program, so they wouldn't allow us to move. Probably because we were in an apartment complex and therefore determined as unworthy of better.

[Vicman]

It was an unofficial program, but every child had to participate, correct?

Did you contact the elected school board and/or the media?

Originally Posted by Lbjen

It was an unofficial program, so they wouldn't allow us to move. Probably because we were in an apartment complex and therefore determined as unworthy of better.