Minimum Class Size

It depends on the district. 20-1 is not state mandated. Most schools that could afford to, have kept their 20-1. Some have 20-1 in 1st grade and 9th grade since the studies show that is where it counts - others don't have it at all. Unless it is a lottery school, I can't imagine telling a parent we were full. Schools get their money based on enrollment! Schools that run off the lottery system can tell you the school where the "other" kids go that is usually very close. Good luck!

S.
My school in Anaheim Hills has gone 30 to 1 for 2nd and 3rd grades. Our 1st grade is still 20 to 1. It then goes to 35 to 1 in 4th grade. This just happened this year. If you are in the boundaries of the public school that you wanted to go to they do not have a choice in taking you. They have to. If you are outside the boundaries then you can be put on a waiting list. Our school always has a waiting list but everyone seems to get in within a week of school starting. Good luck!
N.

I am not sure for elementry but for high school it has been raised or at least is not enforced. My best friend is a high school teacher and she is expecting at least 35 in an honors english class this fall! I do know that private schools do not have to follow the same standards as public and classroom size is one of those standards. Have you looked into other private schools in your area that might have smaller class sizes?

Hi, I teach 2nd grade and most schools are continuing the 20 to 1 in k through 3 grade. IN my school we ended up making 3rd grade 30 to one and it has been hard on the children. They don't get the attention they received with 20 to 1 and as a teacher I can't help kids in small groups when there is that many of them. Personally I believe 1st grade is one of the most important school years and your child needs individual attention. Are you sure that you can't get into your home school? You should have bumping rights over any transfers so I would go back and talk to the principal or just go to the district office. Also how far is the next school? We actually drive our kids to another school in the district because they had more programs that matched our needs than our home school. Good luck. And by the way, most other states have way less children in their classrooms. My cousin teaches in Conn. and only has 12 to 15 students max.

As a former private school administrator, I would ask you these things;
Besides the teacher, are there any co-teachers or aides assigned to this class?
Was one of your main reasons for choosing private school the class size, or were other considerations in choosing your present school that were very important to you?
I am concerned that the administration has misrepresented a change in the law, and equally important, have decided to model themselved after public schools classroom sizes, which is why parents are often willing to pay so much more for their childs education in a private school with smaller classroom sizes so they can feel there children are getting the attention they need. To me, it sounds like your private school is trying to make more money, and that has overtaken their consideration for a quality education for children attending there.
Since public school is not an option this year, you may want to check out other private schools in your area that more closely meet your expectations.

It is up to each district and school to work with the budget and determine what to do. Most public schools are doing everything they can to keep class sizes reduced, but if the budget isn't there, then they may start raising it. We're at a top-notch award winning public school and I am extremely happy.

double check on the boundries laws about the school being your home school I bet if you had to put your kid on the bus they would place your child in the home school, if you speak up I bet they would make room. I did not hear you mention how many class aides the private school has, if they increase the size the usually increase the student aides in the class room.

Double check

As far as I know it is still 20 to 1, but it may vary in districts. My daughter had 20 to 1 in 3rd grade last year, but that might change. I think the problem is 4th grade when they go like 40 to 1! The Budget crisis is a problem, but again this varies by district-- some districts are more financial fit and can ride out a year of cuts without cutting teachers. They cut other programs and support staff first. They'll also be asking for more donations paper, tissue, wipes, and other supplies.

It is common for students to be sent to other schools for a time until there is room at the home school. (The elementary schools are not that far from each other.)

You could try another private school, but they're all facing budget problems with the state of the economy.

S.:

I had the same concerns you did, my son was attending a private school as well. Last year I enrolled him in a school within the Placentia/Yorba L. School District. The school was ranked high in state scores,etc. The one thing I learned is that it's not about the class size but quality of education. I attended a public school so I have a perspective from both my and my son's education. The class environment, classroom control and parent participation didn't compare! My son is going back to his old private school and I now know there is a big difference in the overall education experience he had. In addition, although the private school has a larger class size they also have more classroom support during instruction. I just learned a classroom enviornment is so critical and the private school was superior compared to what we experienced this past year. My son got good grades yet he was behind in math and language arts when he tested to return to his old private school. They simply ended the year further in their education than my son did at the public school he attened. Personally, it was a mistake taking him out of private school for what I thought would be a smaller class size and better education. Public schools are good but I truly believe the education at a private school is superior. Best wishes to you and your son!

Dont hesitate to check out other private schools in the area. I am currently working at a private school in Monterey Park. There are 2 classes for 1st grade with about 16/13 in both classes. There are aides for each class, plus extras. While some public schools mandate no more than 20 in the classroom for the lower grades, they also tend to stretch the numbers. Most public schools do not have aides in the classroom unless there are behavioral issues....School starts soon, choices need to be made. I think you will be surprised at the quality of educatio in the private schools. I am teaching 3rd grade, however the content I cover is 4th grade. Check out everything before making the decision. What is best for your child. If she moves to a new school, she will have to meet friends all over again. It hurts a child if they get moved around too much, early on in the academic life so be very cautious.

I teach in GGUSD. Class size max for grades 1 - 2 have not changed. K and 3 were a district choice. We chose to reduce grade 3, not K. Therefore, class sizes in grades 1 - 3 are 20:1. A class may not carry even 21 students for more than a few days. My understanding is that your local school must accept your child if you live within their attendance boundaries. Either a student on transfer would be forced to return to his/her "home" school, or the school would need to rearrange class configurations. This may not be the case in all districts.