I am wondering if anyone can offer suggestions about school choices in the West Chester area...private, charter, anything. My 5-year-old son is currently in 1/2 day kindergarten in the west chester school district, and this is nothing against the school district but I'm just not sure it's a good match for Gabriel. He is a very smart child, but isn't doing as well as I know he could and I think it has to do partly with him being a very young 5 (summer birthday) and partly to do with the way that the school simply cannot address the individual educational needs of every single student. It breaks my heart because I see that his self-esteem is really hurting. He constantly is saying things like "I'm not very good at this" and "People think I'm stupid". It's to the point where he's really nervous about doing things that he knows people will see or be watching because he's afraid to not be as good as the others, so he purposely doesn't try hard at all.
I need to find a school that celebrates the talents and interests of each child, and is truly interested and able to educate the whole child (not simply train the children to score well on standardized tests). When Gabriel is interested in something (ex: dinosaurs) he wants to learn everything he can about it, and I see a lot of opportunity for him to learn in an interdisciplinary fashion. I'd like a place that offers a low student-teacher ratio, and has lots to offer in the areas of fine arts and languages. I'm having trouble finding such a place, and would love any tips or suggestions! I've thought about home schooling, but I really feel that he needs the social interaction. He is in kindergarten now, but being so young and with things not going completely well he may benefit from doing a kindergarten program again.
Thanks for your help!
There are several Friends or Quaker schools in the area. One is the Westtown School. However there is another smaller one that goes only to 5th grade ....Goshen Friends School? can't remember the name. In any case, Quaker schools, in general are more in tune with children's individual way of learning. Another school is the School at Rose Valley in Media.
Good luck
You may want to look into the Quaker schools in the area. Goshen Friends, West Chester Friends and Westtown School. The programs are very nuturing very community oriented. They spend time with each child and try to find a way for them to succeed. There is a great deal of hand holding involved in the early years if it is needed.
Another alternative is a Montessori school. They have a fantastic program. Depending on where in West Chester you live and how far you are willing to drive there are a couple schools that go past kindergarten. I am sure there is a site that explains the Montessori process better than I can. My children go to a Montessori school (unfortunately it only goes to kindergarten because I would leave them there for grade school) and my daughter who is 5 has already been introduced to various artists such as Matisse and Monet various composers etc. They work on simple science projects and are also learning world geography on a very basic level.
Additionally, our daughter is a September birthday, she misses the cut off by a few days. We could have pushed the issue and placed her in kindergarten but we decided to put her in another year of pre-K. It was the best decision we could have made for her. According to the teachers, she is a leader in her classroom.
There are a lot of choices out there, let your son help you make the decision too. He may feel more comfortable in one program than another.
Good luck.
I have 2 children at Collegium Charter School (Exton) and have been extremely pleased with our experience (we've been there 4 years). They do a really great job of differentiating the curriculum to meet individual student needs. My oldest falls on the autism spectrum and they've done an AMAZING job working with his strengths and weaknesses. He's to a level that we never expected him to be and I credit that much to CCS. My only "issue" with the school is its' size. It is growing by leaps and bounds as a great alternative to our local public schools (which are by no means bad). Four years ago, when my oldest was in kindergarten, I thought it was big in having 7 kindy classes of 22-25 students. This year, my second started kindergarten...and they had *TWELVE* kindy classes (that's over 250 kindergarteners in one school!). The enrollment does drop off each year (many "use" it for its' full day K program and then leave), but this year and last they've had major wait lists for the lower grades (although most end up getting in). They just moved in to a BRAND SPANKING NEW building and have already outgrown it. They're renting space across the street for the 4th and 5th graders next year. Anyway...I digress. I'm happy enough with the school to keep my kids there. It may be big, but I think they're receiving a top-notch education.
I must also mention that I'm a graduate of Westtown Friends and cannot speak highly enough of a Quaker education. That said, I don't have 20 grand a year to send my kid to elementary school!
Good luck with your search!
HI K.! L. from Evansburg here...We have been looking at Montessori schools and are VERY pleased, actually already sent in our application for Brianna for next Jan, when she will be 2.5. Maybe it would work well for Gabriel? Here is the website of the one WE are interested, but they are all over the WORLD and I am sure near you, too.http://www.vfkh.org/ Feel free to e me with more/any specific questions @ ButterflyLindaMarie at yahoo dot com.
smiles,
L., Brianna and baby
My first thought is Montessori school, that is a private school that teaches kids at thier own pace. There are two up near me, in Downingtown/exton. You could probably do some more research and find other options. It's also something you could do for a couple of years and then re-integrate your son back into public if you so chose. I will list two in the area at the bottom.
A second choice in this area if you can afford it is the Friends school. They are quite popular but very expensive.
If you are looking for something very different, you could also try a waldorf school. There is one in Glenmoore. They
are more wholistic. They do not teach in a rote method. They nurture the whole child, using music and creativity.
I have also been told that there is a charter school in Glenmoore. I have not looked into it. They are said to be very "technical" It was suggested to me as I have a 4 year old son with a summer birthday who has a facination with electricity. I need to make some decisions this summer about which direction to go.
My son is currently is enrolled at the Chester County Early Intervetnion program (and hopewell preschool) and is receiving speech, OT and PT. He is very unique (imaginative) and I have a lot of concerns about putting him in kindergarten next year. Fortunately Downingtown schools offer a K-1 class for kids who have late birthdays and might not be ready, they have an option to do 1st grade twice.
West Chester does also offer lots of great services through the Chester County Intermediate Unit. But as your son is already enrolled in Kindergarten he would not qualify for Early intervention. He might qualify for other services. All of which is paid for by the state,
I hope this helps. Below are the two Montessori schools that I could find in the area. I am listing these as they seemed to be the closest to what you are looking for.
Children's House Of Lionville
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Whiteland Montessori School
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My daughter goes to the charter school Renaissance Academy in Phoenixville. I'm happy with her school. I would say the biggest con is that her friends are all over the place so she doesn't really get to see them after school during the week and I am usually driving her 10-20 minutes to get to a friend's house when she wants to go to a friend's house on the weekends. If you want to check it out, the website is www.rak12.org. Just thought I would tell you about an option that is out there.
I do not know what there current offerings are but The Concept school on RT 926 is very small and deals with each child on a individual basis .... maybe worth a call for some more info.
H. Carey
I've heard awesome things about the Westtown School in West Chester. I went on their site and coincidentally they are having in open house today. Good luck! -S.
I graduated from Delaware County Christian School(Newtown Square). I atteneded from K-12 and thought it was a great experience. The teachers are very caring and interested in your childs well being. They have a great Fine arts department, drama, art class and language choices.
Also with homeschooling, I know several people who homeschool and there are a lot of opportunities for social interaction with other homeschoolers. There are several homeschooling groups you can become involved with for additional help, field trips etc.. Good luck!
Hi K.... I've heard very good things about Uppattinas School. Its in Glenmore, which is near 100 and 401. I"m not sure how far from West Chester that is, but shouldn't be too bad. A friend of mine worked there before staying at home with her kids and LOVED it. It sounds like what you are looking for http://www.upattinas.org/
I'm sorry about what your son is going through. Good luck with your search.
I think such a schools exist. I moved back to the area from Colorado just to join such a school. I have found the Friends (Quaker) Schools to keep the teacher/student ratio low. They give individualized attention to each child which raises the childs confidence level. My daughter is 10 and has adjusted well to her new school and we transferred mid year. I have found her teachers to be kind, loving and attentive teachers. I have also found that my daughters teacher gets back to me in a very timely fashion when I have questions and concerns.
Good luck with your search. There are many Friends Schools in the West Chester area.
