more school questions

[cathryndg]

Hi, I have added an intro. to the "Introduction" section of the forum, so I am just going to launch into a bunch of questions on schools and give a little background so you know where I'm coming from. Let me preface this by saying I have spent several hours already on this forum reading some of the threads on schools, locations, French Immersion,etc. All very helpful and informative.

We are moving there from California. While the state of education down here is tragic (don't get me started), we have been blessed to be involved in parent participation schools with all four of our children. The classroom is structured so that kids move from adult to adult learning in small groups of 4 or 5, allowing for more individual instruction and greater trust between adults & kids. It has worked well for our family and the school is the most fun place on earth -- forget Mickey!

I grew up in Calgary and have been a teacher there and in Cochrane, so I well know the alternative standard classroom setting. Here are some questions now that I've given you some background:

Is there any kind of co-op schooling program, or alternative open classroom setup, in any Nanaimo schools? Or is homeschooling the only thing I'm going to find that resembles what we've got here?

Is it possible for a child to enter French Immersion in grade 2? (child is gifted, plays violin and has an excellent ear -- I used to teach music to FI students and have French skills myself)

What is there in the way of preschools or Jr kindergarten programs? (youngest son will repeat final year of preschool)

What grade do schools go up to? (have an incoming grade 7 student)

Now, the last question (for now), which may blow everybody's minds if that hasn't happened already:

Since we have already researched and think Wellington is the best choice for our incoming high school student, where should we look for homes that can make finding all four schools convenient (or at least not too ridiculous)?

Thanks for any help you can offer.

[Jingles]

Elementary schools here are k - 7 then we have high school 8 -12
I live in the south end myself so am little help with real estate in the Wellington area, but I would suggest finding out where their cachement areas are and contacting a real estate agent.

Nanaimo is in the midst of developing their secondary 'learn at home' program and currently our district has over 400 students (which is sizable in a small district like ours) involved in home schooling. Learn at home for Secondary has its home base at NDSS and gives students access to a trained teacher in their subject whenever they need it.
Our French immersion program is very popular and parents line up every year for the opportunity to enroll their children and classes are filled to capacity. I would contact Quarterway elementary or Pauline Haarer elementary and discuss their policies for entrance. it is worth noting that neither of those schools is in walking distance from Wellington (though there is direct bus service, or a 10 -15 minute drive) and that the French immersion high school program is at NDSS currently. The district is undergoing changes currently and the French program may relocate to Wellington, or to Woodlands , or NDSS may be rebuilt.

[riverrat]

Here's the Pauline Haarer Parents' Advisory Committee website. Dunno if there're answers there for ya, but hey...

You can get a place close to Country Club Mall, like in the Departure Bay area or close to the golf course just south of that area, or in the Uplands area, or Diver Lake/Labieaux - then your kid could just catch the number 44 bus from Country Club, right down Bowen Rd to Quarterway School, OR the number 3 bus to Pauline Haarer.

Do I have this right? Wellington School is close to Country Club, right?

[sarah1234]

Yep, Wellington is right by Country Club. That would make anything close to Departure Bay Rd viable as it's on the bus route too, so much of Departure Bay would be an option. Of course I'm biased as our home is in Departure Bay ;o)

[cathryndg]

Thanks to those who replied to my schooling questions. I take it that there's no such thing as a co-op school program there. Didn't think there would be. Oh well, I'll just have to pioneer one myself then...

I have no problem with the idea of driving my kids all over the place. I live in California at the moment and that's all we do down here is drive, drive, drive. I don't mind the idea of putting the older two on the bus, though.

Late French Immersion?? Anyone?

[Persephone]

They have been trying out a late French Immersion beginning in Grade 6.

We are right at that point of deciding whether to try it out. My son was in FI for kindergarten and grade 1, but we pulled him out for personal reasons. We'd like him to go back.

[islandgal]

Thanks to those who replied to my schooling questions. I take it that there's no such thing as a co-op school program there. Didn't think there would be. Oh well, I'll just have to pioneer one myself then...

I have no problem with the idea of driving my kids all over the place. I live in California at the moment and that's all we do down here is drive, drive, drive. I don't mind the idea of putting the older two on the bus, though.

Late French Immersion?? Anyone?

Cathryn,

I do know that the home school parents are quite active in getting together for outings and sharing ideas. If you check school district 68's website
http://www.sd68.bc.ca/Programs/learnathome.html it does say that "A program centre is located at Forest Park Elementary School, for parent and student use" under the home school K-7 program. I don't know of any co-op type schooling programs in Nanaimo, but there was a private school in Nanaimo that was run out of someone's home...sorry I can't remember too much about it, but the school district office may be able to help. There is also Aspen Grove private school. Both my kids went to Wellington and I think it's the best choice in Nanaimo for high school education. My baby is graduating this June!

Carol

[cathryndg]

Carol:

That's the only school we're sure of, as a matter of fact. My daughter is entering high school and has played in 2 different jazz bands for the past 3 years. She is a very proficient jazz musician. As far as we can tell Wellington is the place for a jazz musician student in Nanaimo. We contacted the instructor of the program and he is thrilled at the idea of having her. Also, she is keen to do badminton and cross-country, which the web site says are offered at Wellington.

But she is also the child most easily transported by bus. Here, we wouldn't dream of using the bus, and many people aren't too keen on letting their kids get to school on their own. Mine have always been driven to and from school, either by me or by close friends. So we choose schools first, then a place to live.

Thanks for your faithful replies, I am really finding this forum most helpful and comforting. Makes me think we can actually do this and be successful.

[islandgal]

Sounds like Wellington is the school for your daughter. You don't have to worry here about high school kids getting on a city bus...it's a very safe city, nothing like living in San Jose! I think you'll be very happy with your choice to move here. If I can help with anything please let me know.

Carol

[Soup Dragon]

Since we have already researched and think Wellington is the best choice for our incoming high school student, where should we look for homes that can make finding all four schools convenient (or at least not too ridiculous)?

Thanks for any help you can offer.

Hi cathryndg

Just wanted to add that we moved to Nanaimo from the UK just over 2 years ago, we had decided (from almost 5000 miles away!!) to try & enroll the kids into Dover Bay but on our arrival & actually talking to folks here like the Notary, Realtor etc decided to give 'Welly' a look .......... my son was 13 at the time, said it felt more 'homely' than Dover & has never looked back .......... Wellington was a good choice for us