Back to School

It's that time of year again. Many families spent this past weekend running around to shopping malls and office supply stores in search of the final if not all of the items their little ones need to kick off a new school year. I'm sure other families took the time to head out of town for a last minute end of the summer getaway. The weather actually cooperated for those who were looking for some end of summer sunshine! (Next week is looking good as well...) This time each families gear the kids up for starting back to school as summer winds to a close.

While we do not have a little one starting school this year it has got me thinking about what we are going to do when he does start school. Our little guy will be ready to start school in the fall of 2013. A full 2 years away and yet I am feeling as though I need to get started on my research. I have been half heartedly reading up on local elementary schools in the North Seattle and Shoreline area. There seems to be a stark difference in the ratings according to the website I have been looking at, Great Schools. As I see others getting their kids ready to go my heart begins to race knowing I do not feel I have the info I need to make an informed decision.

As I mentioned I have been looking at an online website that rates schools and provides statistics. It also allows you to do side by side comparisons of  schools in the same district. I have been shocked to read through the test score information on most of the Seattle District schools. Shorelines school district seems to have much higher test scores. Along with test scores you can read through ratings set up by Great Schools, information on teachers experience, as well as reviews from students and parents.

The main issue or concern I have with the Shoreline School District is the lack of diversity. From what I can see most of the schools are 68% or higher white with very little room for diversity. While private schools may offer a higher quality of education and smaller classrooms I feel that in some ways they shelter children from interaction with other children from differing walks of life that cannot afford to attend private schools. Private schools offer scholarships to some families who are unable to afford the full tuition. Private schools also tend to be largely white in population with very little diversity.

I personally feel school is part education and part socialization. While I do not rely on the school to fulfill all aspects of socialization it is an intrigal part of it. Interaction with children from different cultures and different home environments provide opportunity for learning and social development. When I was a child I was taught that we were to be a light in our schools. Every day we had opportunities to shine the light of Jesus Christ by how we acted and interacted with others. I have always believed my children would also carry this light into the public schools they attend especially. I believe as time moves on and society becomes more and more self absorbed this is becoming more and more crucial. For some kids interaction with another student who believes in God may be the only opportunity they have to hear about God.

All of that to say, I am not sure where our son will go to school. I will continue to research and more importantly pray about it. I want our son to receive a good education, to thrive in the environment we put him in, to learn compassion in addition to the 3 R's and to be a light in what at times seems like a very dark world. (All of the above is my opinion and how I view our schools. Other than the statistics from the Great Schools website it is my thoughts on the matter.) I am sure I will revisit this topic as time moves on.