October/November 2010 Bay Area Kids 1 EDUCATION by Kelly Pollard is private school the best choice? WITH THE SCARY ECONOMIC CLIMATE in California and families tightening their budgets, why should a parent consider enrolling their child in a private school? The California budget crisis continually rocks the public schools across the state. Local schools suffer from ongoing lay-offs, cutting or eliminating art, music, physical education and science programs, not to mention losing librarians and counselors. In the 2008-2009 school year, the California Department of Education reported that approximately 530,000 students in grades kindergarten through twelve attend private schools. The study also found that several Bay Area counties have a higher than average percentage of private school attendance compared to the rest of the state. So what are these families getting when they scrawl their signatures on that hefty tuition check each month? Khadija Fredericks, admissions director of St. Paul’s Episcopal School in Oakland, believes parents choose private school for a variety of reasons. “In these economic times, it’s a tough decision to make, but a lot of parents find this is the best investment they can make during these formative years of their child’s character and intellectual development.” In private schools of both religious and nondenominational faith, the smaller class sizes and the extra emphasis on math, science and arts is a big draw. “We aren’t teaching to a standardized test,” Fredericks says. “We value the reading, writing and math, but we also incorporate character development into our curriculum.” Students at her school, which is a K-8, learn empathy, kindness and respect through service programs and community outreach projects. The school also instituted a no-bully program with the faculty to educate them on prevention and incorporate no-bullying into their core values. A variety of extracurricular activities, many that are incorporated into the school day, is also a huge draw. “I call it ‘one-stop shopping’. We include the extracurricular activities a lot of families purchase outside of normal school hours. We have music, sports and arts education on campus. Parents don’t have to cart their kids all over town for enrichment.” Although Fredericks admits that tuition for private school is difficult for your average family to scrape together, it is a worthy investment. St. Paul’s, like many private schools, offers tuition assistance for children who wouldn’t be able to attend otherwise. “Our school culture really represents the breadth and diversity of Oakland. We are known for our social and economic diversity,” she says. St. Paul’s, a member of EBISA (East Bay Independent School Association) awarded $1.5 million in tuition assistance in 2008-2009. Thirty-five percent of their students receive tuition assistance. When considering a private school, Fredericks encourages families to start the research process as soon as possible. Take time to read the school mission statement, to peruse the school website and to attend as many open houses and school events as possible to get to know the school. “When you receive an acceptance letter, you want to know for sure if that school is the perfect fit,” Fredericks says. For a complete listing of private schools in California, visit the California Department of Education at htt:// www.cde.ca.gov YOUR STORY What school did you choose for your child, and why? Tell us at editor@ bakidsmagazine.com
Transcript
October/November 2010 Bay Area Kids 1
EDUCATION by Kelly Pollard
is private school the best choice?
WITH THE SCARY ECONOMIC CLIMATE in California and families tightening their budgets, why should a parent consider enrolling their child in a private school?
The California budget crisis continually rocks the public schools across the state. Local schools suffer from ongoing lay-offs, cutting or eliminating art, music, physical education and science programs, not to mention losing librarians and counselors.
In the 2008-2009 school year, the California Department of Education reported that approximately 530,000 students in grades kindergarten through twelve attend private schools. The study also found that several Bay Area counties have a higher than average percentage of private school attendance compared to the rest of the state.
So what are these families getting when they scrawl their signatures on that hefty tuition check each month?
Khadija Fredericks, admissions director of St. Paul’s Episcopal School in Oakland, believes parents choose private school for a variety of reasons.
“In these economic times, it’s a tough decision to
make, but a lot of parents find this is the best investment they can make during these formative years of their child’s character and intellectual development.”
In private schools of both religious and nondenominational faith, the smaller class sizes and the extra emphasis on math, science and arts is a big draw.
“We aren’t teaching to a standardized test,” Fredericks says. “We value the reading, writing and math, but we also incorporate character development into our curriculum.”
Students at her school, which is a K-8, learn empathy, kindness and respect through service programs and community outreach projects. The school also instituted a no-bully program with the faculty to educate them on prevention and incorporate no-bullying into their core values.
A variety of extracurricular activities, many that are incorporated into the school day, is also a huge draw.
“I call it ‘one-stop shopping’. We include the extracurricular activities a lot of families purchase outside of normal school hours. We have music, sports and arts education on campus. Parents don’t have to cart their kids all over town for enrichment.”
Although Fredericks admits that tuition for private school is difficult for your average family to scrape together, it is a worthy investment. St. Paul’s, like many private schools, offers tuition assistance for children who wouldn’t be able to attend otherwise.
“Our school culture really represents the breadth and diversity of Oakland. We are known for our social and economic diversity,” she says.
St. Paul’s, a member of EBISA (East Bay Independent School Association) awarded $1.5 million in tuition assistance in 2008-2009. Thirty-five percent of their students receive tuition assistance.
When considering a private school, Fredericks encourages families to start the research process as soon as possible. Take time to read the school mission statement, to peruse the school website and to attend as many open houses and school events as possible to get to know the school.
“When you receive an acceptance letter, you want to know for sure if that school is the perfect fit,” Fredericks says.
For a complete listing of private schools in California, visit the California Department of Education at htt://www.cde.ca.gov
“Middle School is a time to make discoveries that inspire the person we hope to become. St. Paul’s can take a lot of credit for who I am.” — Jason Reeder ’03, Head-Royce School Valedictorian’07, Brown University ’11
Head-Royce, College Preparatory School, Lick-Wilmerding, Athenian, Bentley, and Phillips Exeter Academy were among the schools accepting St. Paul’s students in 2010. Our students benefit from small class sizes, individualized instruction, gifted teachers, modern teaching technology, music, art, drama, sports, and music programs that allow self-expression, a rigorous curriculum that develops critical thinking skills, a nationally recognized Service Learning program, and a diverse group of classmates that has made St. Paul’s number two in the nation in socioeconomic and ethnic diversity.
St. Paul’s is a special place. Get to know us!
St. Paul’s Episcopal School116 Montecito Ave., Oakland
(510) 285-9617 • www.spes.org
special advertising section : back to school guide
age 2yrs - 8th grade
A Montessori Experience in the Heart of OaklandThe Renaissance School
The Renaissance School is a Montessori school for children aged 2 years through grade 8. Our school is a warm and supportive community of students, teachers, and parents. We are an international school, and as such our curriculum, faculty, and student body reflect a global perspective. Completely integrated within our Montessori curriculum are Spanish, French, and English immersion, as well as Fine Arts and Kodály choral instruction. We are the only trilingual immersion school in the Nation: Our students are spoken to and taught in French, Spanish and English by native speakers of those languages, at all times. Our elementary students begin each day with morning vocals and we have vocal and instrumental performances throughout the school year.
At The Renaissance School, our goal is to develop students who really understand their schoolwork. Our students learn through hands-on experience, investigation, and research. They become actively engaged in their studies. Our educational program is consciously designed to recognize and address different learning styles, helping students learn to study most effectively. We challenge and set high expectations for all students. Our students develop self-discipline and an internal sense of purpose and motivation. Our students learn to collaborate and work together in learning and on major projects.
We are located in the heart of the Dimond District in Oakland, immediately adjacent to beautiful Dimond Park. All are welcome to call us and come take a tour of our school.
Admissions: Please visit our website to learn more about our admissions philosophy and application process.
October/November 2010 Bay Area Kids 3
back to school guide : special advertising section
Corpus Christi School1 Estate Dr., Piedmont • (510) 530-4056 x100
www.corpuschristischool.com
“Corpus Christi truly cares about its kids, preparing them to enter the world with self-awareness, and confidence.”
– Julia and Jim Lennon, 8th Grade Parents
Top 5 Reasons Why Families Choose Corpus Christi: • Strong academics • Faith-based education • Caring, safe community • Top notch leadership and staff • K-8th education continuing through middle school
Admissions: We welcome prospective families to our Special Information Session on Saturday, November 6th from 9-11 AM, or one of our fall open houses. Contact us for details.
German International School of Silicon Valley, Berkeley Campus1 Lawson Rd., Berkeley • (510) 558-0436 • www.gissv.org The Academy
2722 Benvenue Ave., Berkeley • (510) 549-0605 www.theacademyk-8.orgTo give your child a bilingual education means to give a gift that lasts
a lifetime. Studies have shown repeatedly that foreign language learning increases critical thinking skills, creativity, and flexibility of mind in young children. GISSV offers an ambitious curriculum that focus on the bilingual education and its application in natural and social studies as well as in arts and sports. The GISSV Berkeley Campus currently accepts applications for children entering Kindergarten or Grades 1-4 in August 2011.
Open House: Sat., Oct 9, 10:00 AM and Thurs, Nov 11, 6:30 PM. Childcare available.
Admissions: For additional information or to schedule a tour, e-mail [email protected] or by phone at (510) 558-0436.
The Academy is an independent, co-educational school for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Class sizes are small, ena-bling academic cohesiveness while also accommodating individual academic needs. The curriculum is traditional, yet also rich in op-portunities for creative experience and expression. The school has a warm family atmosphere and an experienced and dedicated staff.
Information Events: Your entire family is welcome to attend one of our Information Events on Wednesday, October 13th from 7:00pm - 8:30pm and Sunday, October 24th from 11:00am - 12:30pm.
Our goal is to help children feel good about themselves as they actively discover the joy of learning! Child-centered classrooms allow preschoolers the chance to express feelings, listen to others, resolve conflicts, and freely explore interests in a stimulatnig environment designed to foster confidence, creativity and success. A wide range of engaging electives are also available. Admissions: Visit our website or call to schedule a tour to learn about our 2010-2011 openings for preschoolers 18 months-Pre-K/K. Our enrollment application is available online. New Family Resource Center coming soon!
4 Bay Area Kids www.bakidsmagazine.com
Viva el Español3451 Golden Gate Way, Lafayette
(925) 962-9177 • www.vivaelespanol.org
Spanish Immersion Classes for Toddlers to Adults Viva el Español, a non-profit Spanish Language Center, of-fers engaging, interactive full-immersion Spanish programs for young amigos from toddlers through grade 8. Classes include music & movement, storytelling, arts & crafts, interactive games and more! Viva el Español has locations in Lafayette, Alameda, Pleasanton and San Francisco and also teaches at numerous pre-schools and elementary schools throughout the Bay Area. Viva el Español also offers holiday camps, Teen Internships, Adult Classes and private instruction.
Admissions: For registration information, including schedules and fees, visit www.vivaelespanol.org or call (925) 962-9177.
Diablo Valley
Montessori School
3390 Deer Hill Rd., Lafayette
(925) 283-8036 www.dvms.org
Serving children 3 mos. -6 yrs. of age, DVMS of-fers a rich curriculum de-signed to produce devel-opmentally appropriate academic progress and independence. Experi-enced Montessori-trained teachers provide the highest quality education using a “whole-child” approach. The goal is always to engage the child’s love of learning, while honoring each indi-vidual’s physical, emotional, social, and cognitive needs. Now enrolling for the 2011-12 school year. Visit us online or call to arrange a campus tour to observe our Montessori classrooms and learn more about our academic programs and enrichment opportunities, which include Dance/Movement, Computer Lab, Spanish and Mandarin.
Open House: January 6 and 11. Call for reservations.
Applied Scholastics Academy East Bay2050 Lincoln Ave., Alameda
(510) 748-0428 • www.asaeastbay.com
Applied Scholastics Academy East Bay (formerly Golden Gate Apple School) is a private, nonsectarian school, located in Alameda. The school builds a strong foundation for learning by assuring mastery of the basics in reading, writing, math, spelling and handwriting. We offer small class sizes aimed at harnessing the power of the students’ personal interests and goals, aligned to their education. Individualized programs and remedial assistance are provided to get kids caught up, fully engaged and winning. Students are taught how to learn and study, embracing an “I can do it” attitude that makes them confident in their ability to learn anything and achieve their own true goals in life. Admissions: Students are admitted based on test scores, inter-views and available openings. Call for a free educational analysis of your child or to arrange an interview and/or tour of our facility.
Prospect Sierra SchoolTapscott Ave., Ell Cerrito
(510) 236-5800 | www.prospectsierra.org
Prospect Sierra is a co-educational independent school enrolling 450 students (K–8) on two spacious, well-equipped campuses in El Cerrito. At Prospect Sierra you will find an atmosphere of inquiry, a climate of trust and affection, and a pervasive energy.
Our passionate teachers are deeply committed to the intellectual, creative, and social-emotional growth of each student. The curriculum integrates rigorous academics and arts with diversity, inclusion, social justice, and global and environmental issues. Prospect Sierra is proud to be a local and national leader in anti-bias education and environmental programs.
Admission: Please join us for our upcoming Information Day programs to learn more about the school!
