thread: have i looked at too many schools??

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  1. #1
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber

    Feb 2006
    melbourne
    11,462

    Cool have i looked at too many schools??

    ive so far looked at 5 primary schoools for DD for next year and looking at another next week as a friend has recommended it.
    im so torn as to what to do, which one to pick, which one is best..
    one is a 2 minute walk from us the rest we have to drive to.
    is it possible that ive looked at too many?? or am i doing the right thing looking at all contenders??


  2. #2
    Administrator
    Add Rouge on Facebook

    Jun 2003
    Ubiquity
    9,922

    I dunno. We don't have that many in our area to look at so that saves that problem. To me if you keep looking then maybe you aren't happy. If you can't decide maybe you should have went with the one you liked most first :P xx

  3. #3
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber & MPM

    Feb 2007
    Melbourne
    5,462

    It's hard isn't it! I chose DS1's primary school based on the fact it's on our street . It does have a good rep though, so that helped seal the deal . It's only a 10 minute (if that) walk and I love being able to just walk there. I HATE bundling all the kids in the car just to drive to school! I guess just strip it down to basics - Do you want the convenience of a close school (your kids will get to know local kids, you can walk, etc)? Does that school have a good rep? Were you happy with it? If yes, there's your answer, if not, then I guess weigh up the pros and cons of each school.

    Good luck!!

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Jul 2006
    Cloud nine :D
    6,309

    Your doing the right thing by looking at all the choices
    Go with the one that you felt most comfortable at, gut instinct.


    Love MN ;-)

  5. #5
    Registered User
    Follow Pandora On Twitter

    Jan 2005
    cowtown
    8,276

    I'd look at any school that was a serious contender. At least if You
    check them out you could possily eliminate some from the list?
    DS doesn't not go to the closest school and it's 20 min drive but it was the best option for us.

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Jul 2007
    melb
    8,498

    We don't have much choice at all where we live as most we are out of zones for. But our closest seems to have a good rep, its a 5 - 10 min walk down the road, DH will be able to walk kids to schhol then cross rd and another short walk to station to go to work, has before and after school care and good programs in music.

    I guess you need to be happy with everything about a school and if it doesn't tick all boxes keep looking. Being close does mean that your kids will know other local kids which in time will give you friends to ask for kids to go home with there kids sometimes if needed.

    Good luck

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Aug 2006
    On the other side of this screen!!!
    11,129

    If I were you, I would stop right there and think about what your priorities are.

    Do you want a school that drives the academic success? One that is supportive towards kids who need extra learning support? One that has a community feel and has lots of parental involvement? One with a strong sporting involvement?

    And then I would ask myself some questions based around that about the schools you've already visited. What vibe did you get? What values/vision did the headmaster enunciate? Do the buildings/grounds look/feel like somewhere your child would thrive? What are the transport/OSHC care arrangements and do they fit with your lifestyle?

    Having done this and identified what you feel is important, you will get a much better feel for which school seems to stand out as the best one for your child.

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Dec 2007
    Victoria
    7,260

    I have looked at dozens, literally, but I am also on both sides of the country.
    She is currently on the waiting list for 6, 4 here and 2 in Melbourne, most are high schools though, the one she will most likely go to here in WA starts at grade 5, so she will go to our local Primary School down the road, then there in grade 5.

    I think it depends on the type of school you are looking for, but simply due to demand I have had to put her on several waiting lists just in case!

    lol All just a bit much!!

  9. #9
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber

    Jul 2008
    Eastern Surburbs, Melbourne
    1,841

    Have not heard any bad reports about the one near you and the one near me (BH) had a good name and has a new principal who has a good name. If there is nothing between the one near you and another go with the one near you as you won't have to worry about parking which can be a real pain.

    Talk to parents at kinder as they will usually give you an honest opinion.

  10. #10
    Registered User

    Dec 2006
    Melbourne
    3,737

    It's hard isn't it, we have too many to choose from. Stop and think about what type of schooling your dd will need, and see which ones match and what feels right.

    I think my girls will be better off at one of the smaller schools I just think they will cope better.

    Although there is one which has a purple uniform so I know dd2 will want to go there!