Need Advice! - Redmond, WA

you will are in a good are- any school in the lake Washington school distric is a good school. Norman Rockwell is a great elementary school. Lots of involvment and funds at that school. Good luck and don't worry any school in the distric is a good one.

I've had friends and cousins' kids go to the Bear Creek School with very good results! It's great that you're starting over a year in advance because some private schools require interviews, etc. The Bear Creek school also has pre-K programs as well, but you can only get in if there's space, and only if your child is "ready".

Openings fill for September starting in the spring (like March or April before the school year in September). Even at the public LWSD schools you need to register in March or so - especially if you want an all-day kindergarten (ADK) program (which if you want strong academics you'll likely want).

Be aware that LWSD charges extra for ADK, and they are only required by law to provide free half-day K. Some schools have a lottery program or first-come-first-served all-day-K program, and not all elementary schools in LWSD offer ADK even then. To figure out which LWSD school your child is "supposed" to attend based on where you live, go to http://www.lwsd.org/Schools/School-and-Bus-Finder/Pages/d... Once you know that, you can go there to either register your child, or get a variance (permission to attend a different public school within the district). Make sure you have your child's birth certificate and/or passport and full immunization records the day you go to the school to register.

If your neighbors have kids - even older ones - MAKE an opportunity to ask them where their kids go/went to elementary school. It's always good if your child has someone in the immediate neighborhood going to the same school as you and other moms might be able to carpool, take turns waiting at the bus stop, or they might know things pro/con about specific schools/programs/teachers.

Do know if want to travel this far but Tall Cedars Academy in Duvall gets rave reviews.

I have also driven past the Bear Creek School that has at least two campuses but I do not know anyone who has children going there so I can't really recommend it but it may be worth checking into.

Good Luck!
S.

Hi A.,

The Lake Washington school district is the public district if you live in Redmond. Our boys have gone to school in the district since they started Kindergarten, and we have been quite pleased with everything. They are now at Redmond Junior High and it is a fantastic school. I am a school teacher myself, having taught for 10 years in BC before moving to the States, and I think the opportunity for parents to be involved in their children's education here is great. You don't say where in Redmond you are, so I can't tell you about the specific school in your area, but if you let me know, I can tell you what I know about the school.(____@____.com)

Good luck!
C.

http://www.emeraldheights.org/ My nephews attend this school it is a private school and I would recomend you check it out. It is an outstanding school!

A.,

Read the reviews for your local school district. Start at www.wa.gov Although with public school your daughter will go to the school that she is zoned in.

Melissa

I can recommend a private school in Redmond - The Bear Creek School. It is a classical Christian school with high academics and many opportunities for all ages. I taught there for 7 years before my daughter was born and would highly recommend it! Feel free to contact me if you want more info.

The Little School in Bellevue has already been mentioned and I concur..the school is excellent. My daughter just finished up 9 years there, starting when she was three and leaving at 12. She's off to junior high with a solid foundation in the basics, a genuine respect for others and a great sense of community. Learning is a hands on experience, throughly investigating the concepts of math, language and science. The experiences she's had at TLS served her well there and have prepared her for the bigger world. It was a sad day when she finally "outgrew" the school and she's now moving on to a more traditional environment. They operate weekly tours of the school, where you'll get a chance to see it "in action" and Open Houses are held in November and January. I encourage you to check it out, we are supremely satisfied with our end result.
Good luck with your research!

Horace Mann Elementary is a good one (Redmond). Good luck! Most, though, in the LWSD that are great, some just better than others, depending on administration. Ask other moms in your neighborhood. Good luck!

If you are in Lake Washington check out the choice schools on www.lwsd.org. My son attends Discovery school in Kirkland but there is a choice school in Redmond as well. This starts at 1st grade. I've heard really good things about The Little School in Bellevue but it is pricey. Good luck!