Kerri's Scoop to Denver
Posted on 23. Apr, 2009 by KB in Posts
As a stay-at-home mom for the past five years and a former educator, choosing a school for my children became a full-time job! I am joking but at times, it felt that way. Who knew choosing an elementary school for my twin boys was going to be such a process, and a stressful one at that! I’m not sure if it’s because we live in the city and DPS, like most city school systems, doesn’t have the best reputation. Do moms in the suburbs research schools to this extreme or just send their kids to their neighborhood school like my mom did with us many moons ago? When talking to my mom while going through this ordeal, she thought it was absurd how much time and effort I was putting into this search. She told me when we were growing up, like most moms in our town, she threw my siblings and myself on the yellow school bus, to the school our neighborhood was districted to. No questions asked! Oh how easy life would be if it were that simple…but it’s NOT! And questions are asked…..lots of them! Many parents want to give their children the best education possible. We are united because of this.
When I first began this school quest, I was guilty of seeking out DPS schools rated with “excellent” test scores. Wasn’t this the only thing that truly mattered….test scores? I mean excellent rated schools automatically meant excellent staff, excellent curriculum, excellent kids, etc. I couldn’t wait to tour these schools. And once I did, I was a bit disappointed. Don’t get me wrong, they were great schools and lots of learning was taking place but they lacked “that something.” I didn’t get the vibe as I meandered through the hallways. And it’s all about the vibe…that gut feeling that helps you make a decision.
After a lot of soul searching, touring schools, comparing lists, talking with friends, teachers, and acquaintances, asking questions, I slowly started letting go of the test score obsession and really started to focus on other things….such as school leadership, staff, community, programs, parental involvement, curriculum, class size, etc. You see, there is more to a school than just test scores, and it took me a while to learn this.
There was a time when we seriously considered moving to the suburbs so we wouldn’t have to worry about choosing a city school and, instead, have our children attend a school like the one I grew up learning in. In the end, we stayed in the city (thank goodness), and my husband and I decided to choose a school that was much different than both the schools that we went to as children. We chose public versus private because we believe in the public school system and private was not an option for us at the time. We choiced into a school rather than attend our neigborhood school. We chose a school with a very diverse student body and socioeconomic background. This has been an education in itself. We chose a school that has made a major transformation from what it was like four years ago due to a strong parent movement and an amazing principal. It’s a Beacon School and recently was two of the only schools in Denver, to seek Innovation Status. The Secretary of Education recently visited the school to see the changes that have occurred! Every so often, I question the decision we made, but when I see how much my boys have grown both emotionally and intellectually, and see just how thrilled they are to go to school each day, I am reassured and justified in our decision. Nothing is forever and things change, but for right now my husband and I couldn’t be happier with the education they are receiving. And it’s great to be a part of a new community!
My greatest piece of advice to all of you is to do your homework, don’t be afraid to ask questions, don’t rely on friends (see a school for yourself), think of your child and his/her needs (in what kind of school environment would they flourish the most?), explore this site and get the information you need, and last but not least, trust that vibe! Best of luck to all of you on this journey.
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