I really want my daughter to go full day and all the public schools cost extra to go full day. I found a great private school nearby I just don't know if I can committ to the tuition. Any ideas?? I'm willing to drive a little ways if needed.
K. - I don't have a kindergarten idea for you, but I thought I'd say hello and maybe we could have a play date some time - I have a 3 1/2 year old girl also and I'm in Cottage Grove.
I am not sure where you are in Cottage Grove, but if you are near the Lakeland/Lake Elmo border (part of Cottage Grove is), you could consider New Heights Charter School. It is in Stillwater, but they bus from anywhere in Stillwater School District. If you weren't too far from my house you could bus from here. Anyway, no tuition and really small mixed age classroom, K-2. This last year we had 12 students K-2 and the year before 13. The teacher is super and it goes up to 12th grade so you can change schools when you want, not because they only go to 3rd grade or 5th grade. We have been going for several years and have been very pleased.
Hi! I live in a northern suburb of Mpls and open enrolled my daughter out of our school district so she could be in all day K and it was so worth the extra few minute drive. Check the neighboring public school districts as they may have full day options and then you could open enroll and just provide transportation. Keep in mind that open enrollment processing starts 11/1 and ends 12/31 for the following fall, but you may be able to talk to the school you want and still get in - they always want the state funding for additional students so from my experiences they are usually flexible if you are trying to get a student in after the cutoff if they have space.
Have you looked into Montessori schools near you? They are wonderful! Some can be pricey, but some do have sliding scales based on income. Check out the education information on http://TwinCities.BabyZone.com. That site has a lot of Montessori schools listed and many other education options as well.
Best wishes to you!
Stillwater public schools is free all day kindergarten. I know for sure that Hayden Heights Elementary is free all day as well so I assume that some of the other St Paul school district elem. are all day free as well??!! Wishing you luck!
