School Placement

We're moving to Peru this summer and looking at school options. Our first preference likely won't have room for the boys. So we're now looking at two other options. The first is a very large school with instruction mostly in English. Parents report lots of divisions between local kids and international kids, with some bullying by the local kids. The second is a very small school, with instruction 50/50 English/Spanish. This seems to be the better school for our guys - smaller, easier to make friends, focus on learning by doing, intimate atmosphere - BUT there is only one classroom per grade. Our guys have been separated since K, and I think that benefits both of them. However, if I chose the school where they can be separated, we give up bilingual education (something we've invested in since they were born) and get an environment that doesn't appeal to me. If we chose bilingual education and the better environment, we'd have to place them in the same classroom, which I fear could stifle both of them (for different reasons). Add to my anxiety the fact that none of the schools will accept the boys until an in-person interview after we arrive, which is only 2 weeks before school starts!

So.... your thoughts? I keep running the options through my head and am simply frustrated that I can't have it all. And oh, for financial reasons, changing schools isn't really an option unless we want to cough up $thousands per kid. The tuition and enrollment fees are very pricey.

 

Which one does your heart lead you towards?

I think the second one would be your better option, just because it's smaller and more cohesive with your family's overall goals.

Although, you know it's most likely only temporary, 2-4 years, and then you'll have to move and change schools again; so your boys might not be together forever and ever just because they're together for this small period of time. :wub: And who knows, maybe they'll do just as well together as apart?

 

Cathy, I have become a firm believer in the concept that it isn't worth it to worry over things we have no control over. I would just wait until you get there, and have them interview at all 3 schools. You never know, there may be openings at the first school. Once they are admitted, then you can worry about which to choose--but it may come down to not having a choice anyway...

 

I agree with Sharon (I only wish I could be that sanguine about things!). But I also thought, from your message, that the smaller school sounded like a better choice. Better to go somewhere that is a good fit all around, and have the biggest challenge be having them in the same class, rather than being in a school where they might both be unhappy in their separate rooms.

 

I agree that the second school sounds like the better option. Neither situation is exactly perfect, but the language instruction and the more intimate classrooms would far outweigh the situation at the first school for me. But who knows, maybe there's room at your first choice as well! It's frustrating that you can't plan everything in advance, but how exciting for you to be giving your kids a chance to live abroad for a few years and immerse themselves in a new culture!

 

Thanks for the advice everyone.
We've gone with our gut and applied to the better environment/bilingual education but just one classroom per grade school. We submitted their most recent report cards to start the application process.
The other is our back-up. The fee to apply to the back-up school is $2500 :woah:, so we're hedging our bets and not turning in the final application until we get a sense that we'll need the back-up option. Fingers crossed that we don't regret this calculated bet.

 

I think that's a good choice. You might be surprised, In a new environment, your boys might actually do fine together. It's a new home, a new country, new people, no other friends, they may actually prefer to be together...at least for now. Besides the being in the same classroom, I do agree that the smaller classes with the bilingual lessons sounds better. Larger schools do tend to put more pressure on kids as they can get lost easily. The school you applied for sounds like a great option for them.

 

Although younger we just put our boys into a Spanish bilingual Montessori. I would have preferred to split them up but the daycare is new and they're not at capacity yet, so there's only one group for kids their age. They actually seem to prefer being together at this point, and when they start getting on each other's nerves the teachers put them in different groups or direct them to different activities to break up their day. Obviously this is less feasible in a classroom setting, but maybe by talking to the teachers you can find some creative ways to alleviate the "togetherness" problem. I bet it will work out just great!

And $2500 for an application? HOLY MOLY.

 

My girls are in an advanced classroom this year (4th grade). There is only one like that, so this is the first time they have been together. It has not been a problem. They sit in different groups and except for having the same homework and occasionally competing directly (class spelling bee, for example), it hasn't really been that different from having them in separate classes. It's actually been easier for me: same homework, only one classroom to buy extra supplies/bake holiday treats for. I told the teacher they are very different and I didn't want them next to each other and they never have been. It's also been great for those days when one was home sick--the other brings her homework home that day. I would definitely be more interested in bilingual ed than in keeping mine apart.

 

Welcome to the world of (international) schools ... application fees, debentures, capital levies, fees higher than top US universities ... and they're only primary / elementary students. It's crazy sometimes. Not sure where you're moving to (Lima or elsewhere), but my children follow the Primary Years Program at an IB World School. International diplomas, very popular in Asia, and getting more popular elsewhere (moving away from the local curricula). Not sure whether it's helpful but here are the schools in Peru that do PYP/MY/IB. Just a thought. We're happy with the curriculum.

http://www.ibo.org/school/search/index.cfm?programmes=&country=PE&region=&find_schools=Find

 

PM me the names of the schools and I will get you some "insider" information.

 

Well, we've been accepted into the second choice school, despite the fact that we haven't had an admissions interview - which is supposedly required. Still waiting to hear on our first choice, which likely will require an admissions interview. Add in we're trying to sell a house, buy a car and pack up our belongings and our stress level is off the charts.

 

i can only imagine... hope your 1st choice comes through