EVERYTHING
FOR YOUR FAMILY
KID
QUIPS
During last July’s 5.8 earthquake, 3-year-old Bronwyn told her 1-year-old sister, “We’re going for a wiggle.” READ MORE
Education
|
||||
|
Cecile Richardson's two children practice the hymns they learn at school during the car ride home and consider weekly visits to church part of their education. They're not surprised to see their mom helping out at school between work and classes for her master's degree, and they know not to question their teachers. This is exactly the kind of education Richardson had in mind when she chose St. John the Baptist School in Costa Mesa. Although several other Catholic schools are closer to her Aliso Viejo home, Richardson knew that not all shared the same philosophy. She looked for a school that was headed by clergy, required parent participation, and held students accountable for their education and religion. "I like consistency," Richardson says, adding that she appreciates that St. John's principal has been there for more than 25 years. "There's always that same theme and I think that's really important. St. John's definitely needs families who actively participate in their religion. It's very well understood that you can't be a drive-by Catholic. For me, having that ingrained as part of the curriculum helps them be more well-rounded. But the family has to make a commitment to partner with the teacher and the principal. The whole family applies to St. John's, not just the child." The qualities parents seek in a private school and the qualities those schools look for in the students and families they serve are as varied as the private school choices throughout Southern California. Although parents can devote years to finding the best private school, the key to a youngster's success often hinges more on whether they're attending the "right" school for their needs. While most campuses don't have a set list of characteristics that prospective students must possess, many stress the need for a good "fit" between a family's lifestyle and beliefs and the school's philosophy. Margaret Eszlinger, director of counseling for Fairmont Preparatory Academy in Anaheim, says students who seek a private education share many characteristics. They are independent thinkers, strive for excellence in all areas of their life, and share talents as well as traditions, culture and beliefs with others. Likewise, parents are looking to give their child a more personal, educational experience. However, schools offer that experience in different ways, and both parent and child must buy into that delivery. Eszlinger says she recently asked a child's parents why they chose Fairmont after leaving another local prep school. "They sought a non-elitist and non-discriminatory campus...(and) a place where student capability and merit are encouraged," she says. "Most important for them was a campus with professional, experienced counseling." Those differences among schools' strengths and areas of emphasis often are on administrators' and admissions counselors' minds when talking with prospective families. Victoria Hales is careful to give students an idea of what it's like to attend Knightsbridge Preparatory Academy in Rancho Cucamonga. The high school, which currently has just 10 students, welcomes children at all academic levels from all countries. Students create individualized learning plans each week and work independently with help from a teacher. For physical education, students work out with a personal trainer at a local gym. So when Hales talks with children who thrive on large groups of friends and participating in team sports, she encourages families to consider other alternatives. "I sit down with each student and talk with them about where they want to be five and 10 years from now," says Hales, director of Knightsbridge. "I explain what kind of school we are, that we are an academically focused college prep program. We do not have a sports program or cheerleaders or a lot of the more recreational kinds of activities they might find at other schools." The students who are a good fit for Knightsbridge are those who don't care that there is no football team because they wouldn't play the game anyway. They care more about pursuing personal interests, such as taking dance lessons or going off campus for a guitar class. They could be lacking in academics or be extremely bright, but they all must want to work to improve their skills. "We want students who really want to be here and feel that 'I fit in this school and this is the place for me,'" she says. Indeed, some private schools strive to represent the broadest range of society on their campuses. Waldorf School of Orange County in Costa Mesa, for instance, looks for children from different backgrounds and at different academic levels to build a diverse student body. "We're not looking for a particular academic achievement or economic status," says Diane Kastner, director of community outreach. "In formulating each class, we're looking for a broad spectrum of students because that's real life and we want these kids to have that experience. We have kids who may be very gifted, and those who struggle, some kids from very high economic status and those from very low. That's the ideal in a Waldorf. Because we seek this diversity, we tend to attract families that are wanting that for their children." But Waldorf also expects families to sustain the school's unique program at home. Most families are very involved, staying on campus to help after they drop kids off for class. Volunteerism is just a part of supporting the school. Waldorf teachers try to create a natural rhythm to the school day, with time for introspection and quiet, as well as socialization and play. "One of the unique features of Waldorf is that the teachers really hope that what they're doing in the classroom is being supported at home," Kastner says. "What they really discourage are kids being rushed around and taken out of natural rhythm. They really expect families to have a supportive lifestyle. We have families who want to leave their child here from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and our teachers just stare at them. Kids need to have home life and we recognize that that is just as important as their time here at school." Besides looking at a school's test scores, college-entrance rates, and class size, parents also should evaluate whether their child will feel comfortable on campus and whether they can support the school at home. "Secondary education can be experienced like a pocketful of coins collected from around the world nestled next to that Hershey Kiss waiting to be eaten," says Eszlinger of Fairmont Prep. "Keep in mind that a child's world is cumulative; everything we put into it builds onto it year after year. Their education is a tool for adding it up and rounding it up. It needs to stay as shiny as a new pence, and reflect collaboration amongst the change without ever forgetting to take the time to unwrap the little treasures before it's too late." Jennifer Leuer of Yorba Linda is an education reporter. To reach her: leuer.ramus@sbcglobal.net. |
||||
RSS Subscribe
Digg This ArticleSEARCH THE SITE
