Daughter has opportunity to start 2nd grade at private school, but only til 5th. Is it worth it?

Question

She just tested so she can move into 2nd grade after "kindergarten", which was spent in a 1st grade classroom. This is actually part of the reason she can go, because the younger class is full, but 2nd grade has openings. Its also a Christian school, and though she has not been to church, she has been asking a lot of questions that would be answered to our liking in this location. (I used to teach Sunday School, but I never had to answer questions like she is asking!) But I worry about her having to re-enter the public school system in 6th grade. Do kids that age adjust well, or do they have problems? The kids who attend the private school don't live in the same area as us either, so they would probably all go to different middle schools. I really would like to get as much helpful input as possible before making our decision. When I ask my daughter for her input, she has reasons that are positive and negative, so she will accept my input as long as its reasonable.

I guess I should specify that because her birthday is just after the cut-off date, she is less than a month younger than other children who are going from first to second grade normally this year. So there is not a large age difference. She spent two years in Head Start, and the second year, she took it upon herself to teach the younger children how to write their names. I have no concerns about her social skills.

Answer 1

I wouldn't do it, because she would lose all her friends right as she's entering her teenage years. I switched schools in 7th grade, because I moved to a different town, and at that age kids are very clique-y. Some adjust well, and she might be one of them, but a lot of the time it's a 'you didn't grow up with us so you don't belong' situation.

Answer 2

Don't contact the police quite yet. First make sure the school pays attention to you and makes it a priority to consult with you about this issue. Wait to call the police until a mark or some sort of physical evidence is left on your daughter. If that happens then the police MUST take you seriously and you can file charges. That is if this is in fact the full story. Trust me, bullying takes all sorts of forms and there are many different sides to it. If you dig a little deeper, you may find that it is a lot worse than you thought or not nearly as bad. If a mark is left then take photos of it before it goes away to document the evidence. Before you speak with the police, try getting in touch with the parents of the boy who has been doing this. They may have had no idea this was going on and put a stop to it, or they may be total assholes and blow you off completely. The one thing you DO NOT want to do is let it go on. Bullying can have terrible physical and psychological consequences. Good luck. Another thing. don't sit in on her classes like that other guy said. That will make everything A LOT worse, trust me.

Answer 3

My main concern would be how she handles herself socially. She is obviously a very smart young lady and can handle the school work - but being much younger than the other children in her class and transitioning to a new school in sixth grade may be hard for her or it may not. It all depends on her personality. I think that it would be a great opportunity for her if she is socially confident. If she is not the transition to the new school may be very hard on her which could reflect negatively in her school work or be emotionally damaging.

I would talk with her about it more and come up with a decision together. That way she will feel more empowered and confident with whichever decision is made.

Answer 4

I think that is a wonderful opportunity, all the children in our family have gone to private school from 1rst through 5th grade, some through 8th grade, and then go on to public school because it gets expensive. The transiton has been pretty good. You can try to get a permit to keep her in a middleschool in the same area as the private school. I would really consider it. At the same time, you would be introducing her to a great spiritual atmosphere. Good luck!

Answer 5

I have a son who is 4 1/2 and I sent him to private school. I really liked it because he got more one on one with the teachers since there was only 15 kids in his class. Before he started school he had a limited vocabulary. By the time this school year ended he learned soooo many words and now you can't make him stop! This year though, we will send him to public school and I think he'll do good. Kids adjust quickly and sounds like your daughter will be in a good environment. They will not only nourish her mind but will answer any spiritual answers she might have.

Answer 6

My daughter was a very bright kindergartener with a Sept. birthday. She was allowed to move into 2nd grade and skip 1st and it worked beautifully for us. Two things to think about: is she so bright that it is difficult for her to have a peer group with children her own age? if so, moving up a grade would be very beneficial. Also, I have noticed with my own children that through 5th grade, friends are what I would call "geographic"-- they are friends because they sit near each other. It is not until 6th or 7th grade that they become friends based on interest. So if you are comfortable with the school's curriculum and your daughter's ability to fit in with the 2nd graders, go for it. It's better to be the youngest kid in a class where you are learning, than "fitting in" and bored in the class that the state and calendar have declared you to belong in.

Answer 7

Like everything it has its good and bad. Learning should be enhanced in the private setting as classes are smaller. Cost can be absorbent. I have 4 boys oldest started in public school and went to private school in grade three. Then back to public school in grade four. Not good. My other two school aged boys have always gone to public school.
Ours are all doing well with good marks in the public system. I really think the key to success is how you as a parent manage education.
Educational games, reading stories together, and parent bonding all work together for successful learning.

Answer 8

I'll give some pro's and con's:
Pro's: She'll move along faster educationally.
She'll do better with testing and scores which will
lift her confidence.
Con's: She may be intellectually advanced but she may NOT be emotionally advanced. This can cause problems socially for her.
By not being socially ready to move on she could
experience frustration and that will interfere with her
learning.
Bottom line: Do not move her yet. Let her continue
on to the next grade(1st). If it appears to be too easy for her then consider letting her move forward. I recommend you do not ask your sweetheart. She isn't old enough to make such a decision.

Answer 9

I would say go for it. It is a wonderful opportunity for your child and if she is asking questions then it could be just what she needs. Even children in public school will be moving on to a new school for middle school and chances are not all their friends will be in the same school as them anyway.

Answer 10

my brother went to private school until 2nd grade at which time we had to switch him to public (because we moved) he did have a little bit of trouble adjusting as fars as this...
private schools have smaller classes
more one on one attention
more lenient on rules such as raising your hand to talk, staying in your seat, asking to use the bathroom

keep in mind though, they are more academically driven and can benefit your child

my brother only had trouble in the 2nd grade (mainly with staying in his seat, raising his hand and he always finished his work before the other kids and would talk to fellow students and get in trouble). By 3rd grade though he had transitioned completely and got the hang of the rules. Now he has no trouble and is going into 5th grade in public school.

I guess thats the best thing to keep in mind, kids can adjust to anything sooo easily.
If you can afford it, I say go for it...even if its only for a short time.