School of Choice

When I was a child, there was no doubt which school I was going to attend. I went to the public school which was located closest to my house. End of discussion.

Here in North Carolina, we have choices. There is the base school option, which is the school closest to one's house which operates on the traditional calendar year (September to June). Then there are the year-round schools. Those schools have sessions which last for nine weeks, then everyone gets a three week break. Next are the magnet schools. Those are generally schools in "low performing" areas. The magnet schools are generally renovated VERY nicely and pumped full of resources and given a theme to entice folks to send their children to that school. For example, here in Durham, we have a gifted and talented magnet school, an arts and humanities magnet school, one for languages, and several more which I can't think of right now. And then there are the charter schools. They are free for all residents of North Carolina but operate like a private school. And, of course, there are private schools, but students' families have to pay for those.

So last year was the start of the search for the proper elementary school for our children in preparation for Simi's transition to Kindergarten. After a lot of research and attending each school's open house sessions, I narrowed down the choices to five and applied to those. Simi was accepted to the second choice school and wait listed for the first choice school.

As you know, he started the year at the second choice school. It's an excellent school and we all love his teachers, his fellow students, and are very satisfied with the education he's getting there.

And then we get the call from the first choice school: we have a spot there if we're interested. Of course, we have to let them know in 24 hours otherwise they will offer the spot to the next child on the list.

Raj and I went to visit the school. It's absolutely a phenomenal school. It has Spanish instruction, amazing art program, excellent music program, a Montessori approach to learning, and very close to our offices. One of his best friends from pre-school is also in Kindergarten there. Plus, it goes through middle school. Most of the children there are learning two or three grade levels above their age. But, we like where he's at too. So...which do we choose?

This decision is one which will affect all three of our children's elementary and middle school education. It's one which will influence their education, friends and environment for nine years of their lives. It doesn't get more important that this.

Durham public schools generally have a bad reputation. Can it be possible that we would choose a Durham public school over one of the most coveted public schools in the area?

It was an agonizing decision, but we chose to keep Simi at the school he is currently in. While we'll never know the impact of the decision, I just hope we made the right choice.