I’m sitting here getting ready to write this weeks post listening to my baby girl squeal in delight at her little music and lights toy, thinking just how fast time flies. It seems like only yesterday when my son was doing the same thing and now here I am thinking about him starting Kindergarten next year! A friend recently told me that we need to get on the ball now for next fall already. What an overwhelming thought! Not just the fact that he will be in kindergarten, but the whole process feels a bit intimidating to me. So many questions come to mind … Do we go private or public (the wallet is saying public but should I at least check out some of the lesser expense private schools)? What is this choice program I hear about? And Magnet schools? And if I want to just go to my neighborhood home school do I need to do anything or will he automatically be enrolled in the fall??
So I went out to the CMS website and unfortunately, I was not able to find all the information I needed. A quick phone call later and I learned that any information pertaining to the 2009 school year will not actually be updated or available until some time in October. Further, student registration doesn’t even occur until the spring. (I’m breathing a little easier now!)
While that affords us some time, there are still some things we should be doing now. Most schools hold open houses starting in October. There is not a master list for CMS, but you can check out each school’s website for a schedule.
For Private Schools, this is what I have so far:
Charlotte Country Day — Oct 14 at 7p and Oct 21 at 7p
Charlotte Christian — Oct 1 at 9:30a, Oct 16 at 9:30a, and Oct 28 at 9:30a
Charlotte Latin School — TK & Kindergarten Oct 7 at 7p and TK-grade 12 Oct 17 at 9:30a
Cannon School — Oct 3 from 10a-12p and Oct 23 from 7p to 9p
Charlotte Preparatory School — Oct 25 at 3p and Jan 13 at 9:30a
Eastover(Public) — Oct 14 at 7p and Oct 22 at 9:30a
Friends School of Charlotte — Oct 2 at 7p, Oct 3 at 9:30a, Nov 11 at 9:30a, Dec 4 at 7p, and Dec 5 at 9:30a
Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools — Oct 19 from 1:30-3:30p and Oct 21 from 9a-noon (at each individual school)
Providence Day — Oct 20 at 7p, Nov 9 at 2p, and Dec 3 at 9:30a
Trinity Episcopal School — Oct 16 at 7p and Oct 21at 12 p
If you think you might be interested in a magnet program, be sure to add those to your open house tour. The magnet program allows students to attend a school that matches their interests and learning styles. There are forty-nine schools offering unique magnet programs ranging from math and science to communication and performing arts. Any student can apply for a magnet program within CMS and placement is determined through a lottery system (which occurs in the spring). Click here for more information on the magnet program.
There is also a Kindergarten Handbook for Parents containing a readiness checklist, sample curriculum and information on the kindergarten program.
Finally, you might want to start getting your paperwork in order for registration. Entrance requirements into CMS include:
— A child entering kindergarten must be five years old on or before August 31, 2009.
— You will need a copy of the child’s birth certificate with the original seal and proof of residency in order to register the child.
— Immunization Requirements must be met.
Be on the look out for a more comprehensive “Smarty Guide to Starting Kindergarten” once all the new information is posted for the 2009-2010 school year. If anyone has recently been through the process and has some good tips to share, please do!
Don’t forget to register to win our Smarty Giveaways (today is the last day for the Divine Consign contest):
–3 sets of tickets to Blumenthal’s MOTHER LOAD
–5 free passes to the Divine Consign Preview Show next week
8 comments
What is the difference between Pre-K and TK? I see this at several schools and not sure what ages or requirements are for either.
As a matter of fact – we are exploring that ? right now. I will have a post on TK this Friday. What I can say is JK and TK are pretty much the same, both are a pre kindergarten elevated from standard preschool for those children who miss the age cut off for kindergarten or may need a little more time before beginning.
I’m really struggling with whether or not to send my June birthday son to kindergarten next fall. He’s academically ready (trying to sound out words, doing simple addition, etc.), and size-wise I think he would be about average if we send him and huge if we hold him… so i’m worried about the fact that he still seems emotionally immature to me. I now it’s 10 months a way. Would love to here people’s thinking on this issue, since it seems the standard view in this town is that boys with summer birthdays should be held back.
I recently went through this proceess and my recently turned 5 year old son (AUG Birthday) is enrolled in a tk program in private school. Most of the private schools have you apply to kindergarten and then based on the applicant base, child’s birthday and testing results, determines if TK or K is best. For the most part the kids entering TK in the private schools turned 5 between March/April Thru October. So most kids are 6 or are going to turn 6 in the Fall for th Kindergarten classes (there are a few exceptions).
We just pulled our kids out of private school and are now attending public school. I was adamant about sending our kids to private and wouldn’t hear or think of it any other way until my girlfriend persuaded me to just look at our home school. So I did and was blown away with the academic program being offered by CMS. My oldest started 3rd grade in public school this year and we have been thrilled with the academic challenges as well as how supportive and loving the school environment has been. So for all of those out there who are trying to decide, don’t be stubborn like me and at least look at the public schools (and bonus is they’re free!).
I recently moved from Boston to Charlotte and I have a four year old daughter I want to enroll in school. Her birthday is October 8 and I heard she needs to be 5 years old before October 1st in order to get into kindergarten. Is that true? Will the schools make an exception? It seems odd to me that my daughter will be 6 years old one week into kindergarten.
The cut off date for CMS/North Carolina for the 2009/2010 school year is August 31. Some schools will make exceptions but not many, you have to talk to them individually. School here begins around August 25th – before Labor Day so your daughter would be in school more than a month before turning 5. TK/JK would be a great option for her. If you have more questions please do not hesitate to email me at courtenay@charlottesmatypants.com. I also have a daughter who will be starting K in the fall.
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