Kindergarten ... but where?

I am so confused about kindergarten. Remember how i was last year with preschool? this year it feels like deja vue ... unfortunately. After prayer and visits to various schools, Dan and I thought we were all set with sending Hua Hua to our local public school for kindergarten in the fall and THEN...

- Our church announced that special scholarships were going to be available to help church families enroll their kids at the church's school.

- and our local public school decided to change their entire format, handle the change and announcement extremely poorly, and cause us to wonder if this is where we want Hua Hua to be.

So, today I got to see both schools back to back. First stop was our local public school. Hua Hua joined about 25 other kids for a kindergarten-like program where the kindergarten teachers met the kids, got to see a bit of their skill level for placement and introduce them to the building while the parents listened to a very slanted presentation about why all these changes are good.

AND THEN the girls and i high-tailed it to our church's christian school, where friendly people met us at the door, fussed over the girls, and took us on a tour of the school that completely dazzled me - much to my surprize, i might add, and left me so excited, I was ready to sign Hua Hua up right then and there.

So what to do?

Do we enroll Hua Hua at our church's christian school because i loved it? (bible teaching every day, mandarin chinese taught beginning in kindergarden or first grade, great program teaching reading, math and all that, sweet kids, Christian families and atmosphere, small class size (1 teacher to 16), great diversity (black, white, asian ... no one thing), loving environment that welcomes parents, and on and on i could go .... or Stay where we are?

The downside to the christian school is it's location - about 30 minutes from our house. That means, since there is no busing, about 2-2 1/2hours in the car for Rachel and me each day. And the other big downsize is cost. If we figure out a way to pay for tuition, uniforms and extra gasoline, will we have the money again next year for first grade? And what about when rachel and hua hua are both in school? How do we pay for it then? And less vital, Hua Hua would not being to school with neighborhood kids ... something that would sadden her.

I am so torn.... time to pray. ... and fast. We have until the end of the month to get our application in for the scholarship help - and of course there is no guarantee we would get it. What to do?? I'm going to be praying that God makes it EXTREMELY clear... because right now i'm so confused....

Comments

[Nancy]

Visit this site - and go through the FAQs and other resources on the site - as you make this decision. It is a decision that will not only impact your children now, but for eternity!
www.DiscoverChristianSchools.com

[kelli]

Wendy, I have several close friends that teach at the high school and have their kids there. I also have a close friend that is the youth pastor at the church. I can connect you with any of them if you want to talk about S.C. with them. I know they would be happy to.

[Trudy Nelson]

Wow, I can't imagine! We're praying for you too. The Lord will provide for wherever He leads.