Changing schools?

Question

My local elementary school, which both of my sons have attended since kindergarten (my older one just moved on to jr. high this year) has really gone downhill in the last few years. Most of my younger sons friends have left and he's having a hard time making friends with the junior thugs that remain (he has made friends with a new boy, but he worries that if this boy leaves next year, he won't have any friends, which breaks my heart.) In addition, the level of education has dropped. As a result, I have requested a transfer to a different school for next year. Unfortunately, I'm kind of afraid it won't be accepted since everyone is leaving the school in droves and the other schools are getting too full. Has anyone had this happen? If so, what did you do? Get mad and demand a move or did you try to get more involved? What do you suggest, as far as getting involved?

Answer 1

Had a similar situation. Actually moved our daugher from a private school to public school......we should have done it YEARS ago!!!!! She made new friends so quickly and was accepted for exactly who she was. Your child deserves to get into that other school, so make sure you get in there and schmoooz or do whatever to move him to the top of the list, you will never regret taking a stand for him!!! You Rock!!

Answer 2

There's always private school, but if you can't afford that, then talk to your child's teacher and ask her about what volunteer opportunities there are at the school.  Tell her you will help with her class in whatever way she needs help.  This is a tough situation.  My kids both transferred last year also, but are doing great now.

Answer 3

Put your childs future first and do not be afraid to make a fuss!  Sometimes by standing back and not making yourself heard the child can suffer.  It's a shame that his education is suffering, but a move would certainly be the right thing.  I am surprised that the school have not addressed this problem if so many kids are leaving.  If the teachers do not care then why put up with it?  Fight for your son to move to a better school and don't give up.  No point in worrying now as you have not been refused, but make sure you have a plan of action so you can act quickly if things don't go to plan.

Answer 4

i would make sure i get the transfer.  whatever you have to do even if you call the superintendent of schools.  get aggressive.

your child's education is too important to be railroaded by bureaucracy.  

if the school has to focus on problems rather than education helping out will not do much.  if you did not have a child there then it would be good to help out to be an asset in your community.  but you have a child there and you need to do your best for him now.

Answer 5

The exact same thing is happening to me right now. I'm fifteen and my highschool went insane. Drugs.Alcohol. One child had to leave because some random kid held a gun to his face. Keep in mind here, I go to a PRIVATE school. Pathetic eh?

Anyway, this year I had a teacher. She favored the boys by raising their test grades and letting them leave the room and she would do the weirdest things, like ask us questions about whether or not there was a legal age to smoke, while we were taking a test.

We contacted the school principal. They said they'd take care of it, but did they? HAA NO.

So I got more extreme about it, especially after this teacher questioned my mother's parenting skills. I went in person to the prinicipal and the head of my teacher's department. I told them I was pissed and leaving.

They fixed the problem, but others continued to circulate around the school, so I just left. Best decision I ever made.

Answer 6

First of all, just remember there are always options for those who are willing to take them.  It's pretty common these days that in some school districts kids are leaving at the upper level grades (4-6th or 5-6th) and transferring to charter shools which are popping up all over. And there's a reason for this. Find out why kids have been moving from your sons' school. Talk with other parents and even with the school principle. You need to do some homework and find out what other options are available. You don't want your son trying to make new friends with these so-called "thugs". To help serve you check out this site:

http://www.schools2colleges.com