A place for parents educating their kids in San Francisco
Friday, August 29, 2008
Private school wait lists
Many of the private schools are starting next Tuesday. I thought I'd check in to see if anyone is getting in off the wait lists. Feel free to share your stories.
I did get a coveted spot offered to me from a waitpool but I can't afford to go - Brandeis Hillel. I also think I may have fallen in love with Tania, the director of admissions there. So double bummer.
Yes, ask about aid. I'm sure you did, but in case you didn't, you should. I was a non Jewish family, and a gay one at that, and two years ago they rolled out the red carpet for me.
A great school!
I just wanted my little girl to be able to celebrate St Pat's day, Christmas, and bring ham sandwiches to school. :-)
Hi - yes, I got aid. The thing is that I am not ready to make a commitment for nine years of private school financially (need to really start saving for retirement, etc) - and would hate to just go to an amazing school like Brandeis for just a year.
Oh and yeah, I dont know what my kid would do without ham!
I don't think, especially at this late hour, that opting for a school that works for this year should be looked at as a 9 year committment. My child in not in the school she started Kindergarten in. She's now in 6th, and things are working out well, despite a school change along the way.
Am I remembering correctly, that your child is currently not registered at a school and you're a working single mom? Maybe I have my stories confused, or maybe it's too late, but I would very strongly encourage you to take the Brandeis Hillel spot.
Is anyone interested in a fantastic TK program? We have just dropped our daughter's spot at The Little School, and they are looking to fill the spot.
Ideally, they are looking for a girl with a 5-year-old birthday between June 08 and February 09. If they do not find a girl, but do find a boy they will fill it quickly. If you're interested, call 567-0430 or email admissions@littleschool.org asap.
I can say nothing but glowing things for the Little School. Our daughter attended the TK summer school in July, and they worked wonders with her in only one month. The teachers are wonderful, as is the director, Leslie Roffman. Their TK program is unique in that it has an arts focus -- the kids explore all sorts of disciplines like photography, capoeira dance, ballet, drama, literature, even Chinese brush painting! It was with a very heavy heart that we gave up our daughter's spot, but we couldn't turn down our #1 public school (Miraloma).
3:58 - thanks for your feedback. yes, that's me, working single mom. i ended up enrolling my child in a private, project-based TK that has month to month payments. We start on tuesday. I just couldn't pony up the cash for brandeis (even with aid it was out of my budget) and I would have hated to move my kid out of that school. It was really heads and shoulders above every other school I have seen. I'm still gunning to get into a good public school by christmas so I can start saving some money.
katherine michiels school is a terrific two year kindergarten program. they start at preschool and go all the way to 5th. hot, organic vegetarian lunches are included, with a month to month contract. i think they are out of financial aid, but it's more affordable than most privates. we are there for kindergarten and it's wonderful. check it out if you need a kinder spot! school started today....
Hi Kortney- We have friends that got in Synergy last year a month into school after pulling their child out of Sunnyside. So, it IS possible. I found the school very impressive. For a private it is very diverse and they offer hands-on project based learning. It's small and cozy and they have combined classes (1st/2nd grade, etc) The tuition tends to be lower there than at many of the other privates. Our friends who attend absolutely *LOVE* it.
I did get a coveted spot offered to me from a waitpool but I can't afford to go - Brandeis Hillel. I also think I may have fallen in love with Tania, the director of admissions there. So double bummer.
ReplyDeleteDid you apply for financial aid?
ReplyDeleteYes, ask about aid. I'm sure you did, but in case you didn't, you should. I was a non Jewish family, and a gay one at that, and two years ago they rolled out the red carpet for me.
ReplyDeleteA great school!
I just wanted my little girl to be able to celebrate St Pat's day, Christmas, and bring ham sandwiches to school. :-)
But really, it's an amazing school.
Hi - yes, I got aid. The thing is that I am not ready to make a commitment for nine years of private school financially (need to really start saving for retirement, etc) - and would hate to just go to an amazing school like Brandeis for just a year.
ReplyDeleteOh and yeah, I dont know what my kid would do without ham!
I don't think, especially at this late hour, that opting for a school that works for this year should be looked at as a 9 year committment. My child in not in the school she started Kindergarten in. She's now in 6th, and things are working out well, despite a school change along the way.
ReplyDeleteAm I remembering correctly, that your child is currently not registered at a school and you're a working single mom? Maybe I have my stories confused, or maybe it's too late, but I would very strongly encourage you to take the Brandeis Hillel spot.
Is anyone interested in a fantastic TK program? We have just dropped our daughter's spot at The Little School, and they are looking to fill the spot.
ReplyDeleteIdeally, they are looking for a girl with a 5-year-old birthday between June 08 and February 09. If they do not find a girl, but do find a boy they will fill it quickly. If you're interested, call 567-0430 or email admissions@littleschool.org asap.
I can say nothing but glowing things for the Little School. Our daughter attended the TK summer school in July, and they worked wonders with her in only one month. The teachers are wonderful, as is the director, Leslie Roffman. Their TK program is unique in that it has an arts focus -- the kids explore all sorts of disciplines like photography, capoeira dance, ballet, drama, literature, even Chinese brush painting! It was with a very heavy heart that we gave up our daughter's spot, but we couldn't turn down our #1 public school (Miraloma).
Our daughter attended the Little School for a couple of years and I cannot say enough good things about the program.
ReplyDeleteIt is probably the best preschool in the city... it is the one where every preschool teacher wants to work, anyway.
Their staff is amazing.
3:58 - thanks for your feedback. yes, that's me, working single mom. i ended up enrolling my child in a private, project-based TK that has month to month payments. We start on tuesday. I just couldn't pony up the cash for brandeis (even with aid it was out of my budget) and I would have hated to move my kid out of that school. It was really heads and shoulders above every other school I have seen. I'm still gunning to get into a good public school by christmas so I can start saving some money.
ReplyDeleteLive Oak took one new family a couple of weeks ago.
ReplyDeleteLittle School is very generous with financial aid, too, if anyone is considering it.
ReplyDeletekatherine michiels school is a terrific two year kindergarten program. they start at preschool and go all the way to 5th. hot, organic vegetarian lunches are included, with a month to month contract. i think they are out of financial aid, but it's more affordable than most privates. we are there for kindergarten and it's wonderful. check it out if you need a kinder spot! school started today....
ReplyDeleteHi. ANYONE here at Synergy? Know someone at Synergy? Heard or gotten in since summer?
ReplyDeleteHi Kortney-
ReplyDeleteWe have friends that got in Synergy last year a month into school after pulling their child out of Sunnyside. So, it IS possible. I found the school very impressive. For a private it is very diverse and they offer hands-on project based learning. It's small and cozy and they have combined classes (1st/2nd grade, etc) The tuition tends to be lower there than at many of the other privates. Our friends who attend absolutely *LOVE* it.
Sorry Kortney--my mistake: that was 2 years ago. Time flies...
ReplyDeleteOur Pac Heights pediatrician sends her kids to Synergy and loves it.
ReplyDelete