Kindergarten

we live in the h.e.b. school district my son loves his school. My son is learning addition and subtraction also learning to read. we are going to move before next school year. i have too have been researching schools we are either going to move into northwest i.s.d. or weatherford i.s.d. we haven't deceided yet. if you can move to another school district.

I understand your problem. We're in Irving as well. My son is only 18 months old, though, so I still have a while to think about what to do.

I was a sub for Irving ISD, and I can tell you that the main problem with Kindergarten, is that they have entire classes full of kids that they have to teach English to. There were a few times when subbing at the elementary level that I wound up with a class full of kids that could not understand me.

A friend of mine is a 2nd grade teacher at Townley, and she said that they're a year behind most other ISDs, because of the "No child left behind" thing, they cannot move forward until everyone understands the last thing taught. Since in Kindergarten, many of the kids are preoccupied with learning English to have much room for anything else... it holds everyone up.

Now dont' get me wrong, I'm not trying to be anti-hispanic, or trying to knock the Hispanic community. I think that their children deserve a better education than they're getting, as well. I don't know what the soultion is... I just know that this is a real problem with Irving ISD and many others around the metroplex.

A good solution for you... might be looking into some of the local churches, I know that a few of them have private schools. If you find one of the smaller ones, they're usually relatively inexpensive.

Irving does have a transfer policy, but you have to get in there really fast. They only allow so many kids to transfer into each school. I know a few people that have had a really hard time transferring their children.

I hope that helps a bit, sorry I couldn't be more specific in my advice.

There are several charter schools in Irving which are part of the public school system but may give better opportunities to your daughter. Try this website for one of them:

http://tnhs.org/DNN3/Default.aspx?tabid=57

Hi C., although my daughter is still really young I'm beginning to worry/stress about public or private schools in Irving. Someone told me about Universal Academy in Irving, I think it is on Northgate and there are two charter schools North Hills on Royal and Winfree. I do not know anything about these schools, but I have heard good things.

I hope this helps.

Hi, we moved here from Round Rock (Austin), the schools there are some of the best in state, country even. We have an Irving address but are in Las Colinas, and fall into Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD. So far the schools my kids are at are great. Maybe not as advanced as Round Rock but comparable. They go to Las Colinas Elementary and Barbara Bush Middle school in Valley Ranch. No complaints so far. Hope that helps.

C.,

I live in Grapevine and have a neighbor who teaches 3rd grade in Irving (not sure of which school). She said the cirriculum her daughter is learning in Grapevine in 2nd grade equals what she is teaching her 3rd grade class in Irving. So I agree with your concerns. I don't have any answers for you, but wanted to share information that confirms your feelings. Maybe you could look into the schools in the Las Colinas and Valley Ranch areas. I think they are still IISD but may have better resources. I think your options will end up being A) her current Elementary based on your residence, B) an in-district transfer within IISD, or C) private. I know in Grapevine, they have "proof of residency" processes that all families have to provide every year for registration. So I think you will have to stay within IISD. I would definitely look into he schools around LC & VR.

Good luck!

There's a neat little charter school in Euless called Treetops International. It's a charter school, so you get the benefit and attention of a private school without the cost. They do require 80 hours a year of parent volunteer work - chaperoning field trips, buying teacher supplies, etc...

Their website: http://www.treetops.org/

Both of my kids attend and absolutely loved Kindergarten with Ms Laura and Ms Judy.

Go to www.schoolmatters.org. You will be able to look for the best school in your area based on testing scores. Hopefully that will help.

I have three girls going to a private school right now in Dallas. I have heard excellent things about the charter school North Hills in Irving. In fact, several families have taken their children out of our private school to attend North Hills. I'm not sure how the transfer policy works but this school would probably be a good one to look into.

Good luck!

Kindergarten is not mandatory by Texas Education laws, so unfortunately, some school districts don't put in the time and effort needed to educate those in Kindergarten. I'm not familiar with Irving ISD, but have taught in GISD, and that school district has choice of schools. The school I taught at had excellent Kindergarted teachers. If you have choice of school, I would "shop" around for a good school.

There are also fantastic daycares and churches that have Kindergarten programs where the teachers have their teaching certificates. You will pay more for these types of settings, but in the end you will be happier. Again, you need to "shop" carefully. Some of these facilites have scholarship programs too, which would help you out if finances are an issue.

If you have any further questions, please email me @ ____@____.com I homeschool my 3 children and would love to help you in any way I can.

Blessings,
A.