Monthly Archives: March 2010

New Montessori School Opens in Center City

The following message was posted on a Center City Parents email list

We are writing to let you know that Clementine Montessori is almost here! We will be sending out an Application Packet via email during the first week of April for enrollment for September 2010. We will host an Open House in April or May.

We will be accepting sixteen children 2-1/2 to 4 years of age for one classroom. A certified Montessori Teacher will lead the class with an Assistant Teacher. Much, much more information to follow in April.  In preparation, we want to update and expand Continue reading

Why I Chose Annunciation BVM: 2010-03-24 School Selection Report

Date Submitted: 3/24/2010

What school did you decide on? Annunciation BVM Philadelphia

Calendar year your child entered/will enter 2007

Grade your child entered/will enter 4

What neighborhood are you in? South Philly

What schools did you consider? Continue reading

Why I Chose Springside School: 2010-03-24 School Selection Report

Date Submitted: 3/24/2010

What school did you decide on? Springside School

Calendar year your child entered/will enter 2010

Grade your child entered/will enter Kindergarten

What neighborhood are you in? NW Philly

What schools did you consider? Continue reading

When to Start the School Search

We all know kids start kindergarten at age 5.  So choosing a school should happen the year before kindergarten…right?  Unfortunately the ‘when to start’ question is complicated and depends a lot on your risk tolerance.  Here are some different scenarios:

If you are planning to attend your neighborhood public school, then there are no requirements or paperwork to fill out before your child is 4 years old.  The only complication in this situation is that some parents take advantage of pre-K programs at their local elementary school, such as “Bright Futures.”

One parent whose children attended the Bright Futures program at Bache-Martin told me:  “The Bright Futures program gave us the opportunity to connect with other parents and really invest in our neighborhood.  We learned a lot about the school before we had to make our kindergarten decision.  Bright Futures is separate from Bache, but it gives you a head start on understanding the school.”

Applications for private school start the fall before your child would enroll – a full year before kindergarten.  What complicates the private school option is that Continue reading

Coming Soon to Philly School Search

Getting Started Series:  So, your child’s getting older. How do you begin?

We’ll be posting a new series about starting the school search process.  When to begin? What to consider? Who to ask? We’ll be including stories from a variety of folks who have been through the process – and what they wish they had known!  First post tomorrow.

Reader Mailbag

You’ve got questions.  We’ll find you answers…or at least give you ours.  This blog is all about starting dialogue and continuing a conversation.  If you have questions, share them.  If you have stories, share them.  If you’ve learned how to beat the system, well, you get the idea.  Here’s how to contact us.