Why we can't move...

Pretty, pretty Mir asked me some questions about magnet schools, so I thought I'd just address them in a full-out post. When I look back at what I went through this year in terms of research, school visits, sweat, and tears, it definitely seems post-worthy. Also, it might help other parents in Chicago, because it is frickin' CONFUSING!!

The whole process starts the year before your child starts kindergarten (some parents start their research earlier, but, we weren't here, and in retrospect, I just don't see the point). During the fall, you'll need to start making a list of schools that you are potentially interested in, and then you'll need to try to visit as many of these as you can. The visits generally take place during open houses, which last about two hours. This is a big hassle for both working and non-working parents. If you are working, this is a lot of time away from your job. If you are not working, this is a huge babysitting expense. I didn't visit all of the schools we applied to - there just wasn't enough time, and we applied to almost 20 schools.

Yes, you read that correctly. We applied to 20 public schools. In Chicago, any child can automatically go to his or her neighborhood school, and if your neighborhood school is a good one, then you can just ignore the rest of this post. We don't care for our neighborhood school. (At the open house, the principal ignored us - bad sign.) You can also apply to other neighborhood schools, because if they don't have enough kids in the neighborhood, they accept other children via lottery.

Some of these neighborhood schools have specialties (they are called magnet clusters, but that's really confusing). So, our neighborhood school is actually a fine arts magnet cluster school. Others are math and science, or literature and writing, etc.

There are also gifted and classical schools. Gifted schools are for the kids who are truly gifted - they learn differently. Classical schools are for children who are advanced in their learning - they are reading and writing at a level above their age group. For these, your children need to be tested. We tested Dylan for both, and although she did very well, she didn't get into either, primarily because we are white. In Chicago, they still operate many of their schools on a racial quota system. They accept 1/3 majority (white kids), and 2/3 minorities. I have a big problem with this system (I'd prefer they do outreach to people who don't have the time, money or wherewithal to navigate this insane system), but it's still here, at least for now, so it doesn't matter what I think.

Finally, there are magnet schools. These schools all have a focus (arts, language, Montessori, math/science, etc.), and they take children from all over the city. They also operate on the quota system.

We applied to a slew of different types of schools, and Dylan only got into a few. We didn't apply to any private schools. First, I don't want to pay for it. Second, I knew that if we didn't get into any of the schools we wanted, we could just move into one of the neighborhoods with a great school (we are renting). One of the schools she DID get into was a Fine Arts Magnet.

Mir asked, "You're supposed to pick an area of interest for your 5-year-old that's going to work for them until their teens? What happens if her interests change?"

My answer is, it doesn't really matter. I happen to be pretty sure that Dylan will always enjoy some aspect of the arts (it's really broad. they have art, drama, music and dance). Also, it's all based in academics. So, yes, they learn how to dance, but they also do reports on famous dancers, and learn about dance styles, etc. It's very cool. But, irrespective of all this, I had no way of guaranteeing that she'd get into an arts school. It was complete and utter luck. 700 students applied for this school's kindergarten slots. They had 43 available. And only 1/3 of those slots were for white kids. TOTAL LUCK.

So, that is the story of Chicago Public Schools. If you live here and want more information, feel free to email. My friend and I have an Excel spreadsheet, a Word document, and a whole bunch of anecdotal stories to share. It's been quite a journey. And, as alluded to in my title, it has made me not want to ever leave Chicago. I can NOT let all of that time go to waste.

Comments

[Prisca]

I really empathize with you. I had to do something similiar in my mini-city for our about-to-be kindergartener and it was a nightmare (and we only had about 4 schools to choose from aside from our 'zoned' school!). You've really been through the ringer...I can't imagine applying to 20 PUBLIC schools!!! Glad it seems to have worked out in a good way. :)

[chris]

So do you have to drive her to school everyday or do they provide a bus?

I can't even imagine the stress of having to do all of that. My college admissions wasn't even that difficult.

[ikate]

Ditto to chris - college admissions aren't that difficult! I know with my lack of patience, I would have thrown in the towel and sent her to private school.
But, at least you have a choice and there are good public schools!

[kyooty]

I'm so gald we just have to register and go, there are no "extra" schools

[Mir]

Oh good lord. I'm suddenly very glad I don't live in Chicago. I mean... that just sounds maddening. I thought it was hard enough picking from amongst 3 neighborhood schools, all of which we had an equal chance of being accepted at. Sheesh. Glad you got a school you like, though!

And not to be a stickler... but what if Dylan suddenly develops a big interest in math or science? Would you switch schools?

[foodmomiac]

Chris - we can do either. Buses are provided for kids who live between 1.5 and 6 miles from the school. We need to just bring her to our neighborhood school, and then they bus her directly from there.

iKate - I think I was less likely to throw in the towel because most of the private schools are about $20k/year!!

Mir - if she suddenly develops a big interest in math or science, she'll be totally fine where she is. All of the academic subjects are covered (except for language, but she can take that after school if she/we are interested). They even have accelerated math for those who are exceptionally gifted, and they showed us pictures of their science fair which looked totally cool.

[Selfmademom]

This is good help, thank you! I will definitely be knocking on your office door in a few years... crazy!

[Amy]

I'm a regular lurker (I come for the food!), who also happens to be a Chicago mom. And while you've got some great information in this discussion, I just wanted to add a couple of comments to your post --

First, for anyone considering any form of schooling in the city (public or private), I highly recommend you join the Northside Parents Network and get their annual school guidebook (www.npnparents.org). They also hold annual school fairs which are attended by pretty much all of the public and private elementary schools in the city. This book and the school fairs are hands-down the best way (aside from chatting up every parent of similarly aged children that you meet!) to information gather when your child is at pre-school age and you begin to think about K and beyond.

Second, the reason that so many parents begin the process earlier than the year before kindergarten is two-fold. First, for many of the private schools (including the one my kids attend), the admissions process for kindergarten starts during the fall that your child is 3. So right there, that forces you to make some decisions during the year your child is 3, at least in terms of where you want to apply, if not necessarily in terms of where you want to send your kids. Second, many of the better CPS schools, including some of the best neighborhood schools (Blaine is a good example), now offer preschool. Many parents who live outside the neighborhood boundaries for a good neighborhood school will nevertheless enroll their kid in that school's preschool because that often leads to a spot in the school (principals have discretion to admit a certain number of kids from outside the attendance boundaries, even at a regular neighborhood school, so attending the preschool and getting your foot in the door is often a good way to get one of those slots). Again, going this route requires some planning and decision making about the time that your child is three.

Third, not all private schools in the city are $20K a year! Certainly Lab and Latin and Parker are close to that, but there are many, many other good options that are significantly less expensive. That said, I do think there are some terrific magnet programs, and I admire people who are supporting the public school system, but I always feel the need to correct the belief that all private schools cost as much as some universities!

Best of luck with your daughter's new school. For someone who is relatively new to Chicago, you certainly learned alot in a short period of time!!

[Mike Driehorst]

OMG! There must consultants or "personal school shoppers" who one could hire to do all that work!

I'm not saying you would hire someone, just saying there seems to be a market for someone like that.

I know not all parents are as involved or concern about their children, but I assume (hope) many are. I can't imagine having to go through that. You definitely deserve a medal.

Guess that's life in a big city?

We'll stay in SE Michigan and be glad our township has a good public school.
Mike

[Betsy]

I'm another big lurker and also a Chicago mom, and we just got through that same whole process with the CPS tuition-based preschool program. (Or, we almost got through it - we're still on the waiting list for one of the Montessori magnets.)

It found the preschool process extra-frustrating since you have to start making back-up applications at the same time, and some of those mean a cash deposit.

(And now it turns out I'll be going to graduate school in Evanston and we have to start the whole process over to find care up there.)

[Janice]

Hi there! I live in Chicago and have been reading your (awesome) blog now and then for a while.

I'm losing my mind right now trying to sort out the school situation in my area (northwest side/ irving park).
My god. How did you keep your sanity??

I hope you and your daughter are happy with the school you chose! My daughter will only be 3 this summer, but we are getting geared up for kindergarten selection.

Since you offered, I thought I'd go ahead and ask whether you'd be willing to share your spreadsheet, the fruits of your hard labor. I would be eternally grateful!

thanks, and hope all's well.