have i looked at too many schools??

[anney]

I agree with Rivlas re talking to people. I talked to neighbours, mothers group, kinder and only actually looked at one school in the end. I am talking primary school here - My opinion is that unless you really want a particular sport, language, age, music program, there has to be a good reason to get in the car and drive to another school if you have one in walking distance but that is just me.
My main dilemna was "straight" grades vs multiage. My BF is a teacher and looooves multiage and I really wanted to send DD to a multiage school but the one nearest us had straight grades. Noone could really talk up the multiage schools around us so in the end I went for the straight grades.
The other factor is big schools vs smaller schools. Big is not necessarily bad but can be scary for a little one so the way they divide up the playground to make sure the littlies have their own area could be important.
Reading between the lines, seems you and Rivlas may be in eastern suburbs. I am also eastern so could recommend the school dd goes to. ;-)

[MantaRay]

We interviewed 4 school principals before choosing a school for DS1, and we even had to move to get him in. Some would say that's excessive (lots of our friends have in fact), but then DS1 has some special needs and it was important to us to make things as easy for him as possible. When the first principal could offer no plans or suggestions that they would use in DS's case, and instead said "kids just need to learn to be resilient" we decided that school was out on the spot.

I think that you need to do whatever you need to do to be comfortable that you have made the right decision. If that means 1 school or 10 schools it doesn't matter. It will be different for everyone. So do whatever's right for you.

GL hun - I hope one jumps out and grabs you I totally understand how you feel.

[fionas]

I'll probably be looking at about that many too. I've checked out the myschool website, been to an Open Day at one and will probably go to a few others. It's a little bit tricky for us because DP doesn't want DD to go to a religious school (and I kind of agree with him) but aside from the local state school, most of our other options are religious schools apart from an alternative school. I'm not sure that DD would benefit from an alternative school. If anything, she needs to be reined in rather than encouraged to be a freer spirit

So I get that it can be a hard choice.

[Olive]

rivlas we checked out BH and didnt really like it...didnt get that feeling..
the problem with asking kinder mums is taht where we go to kinder is the other side of our suburb so most kids arnt going to our local.
most around here are single grades too...! i like the small feel..extra support etc... i want a bit of everything

[Rivlas]

Just sent you a PM.

As open nights are coming up it is a good time to go and have a look and listen to what other parents have to say.

[Ginger]

i reckon just check out this one last one and then go from there. it might confirm for you one way or another what is most important to you about the school that you end up choosing.

[Rivlas]

Just reread your post and the one I suggested is mainly composites except prep