A question for parents

Pho3nix

Pho3nix

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Quick question,
Moving to the big school stage and have to decide around 2 maybe 3 schools.

School 1 : Best in the area albeit it's a 20-30min drive in the mornings.
School 2: In the top 5 schools in the area but 5 min drive in the morning.
School 3: In the top 10 schools I would say but around 10 minutes drive in the mornings but a bit newer and smaller than the other 2. Especially in regards to sports and extra murals.

Why this is a bit difficult, with the new Grade R - Grade 1 story a bit unsure wtf the GDE will decide and it seems Grade R makes or breaks the Primary schools decision a bit. High school we want the minion to go to is a school affiliated with School 1 also.

Might be making a mountain about a mole hill but wondering if there are any other factors I should take into account.

Ratings are from the Highschool in the area and parents who's children have attended the schools.
 
I was in same situation some years ago. "5 min drive in the morning" factor decided it for me and very happy with that decision.
 
I can't speak to that. For primary school, I picked what was closest. For high school, I applied to three schools. Two turned us down, providing a letter saying that we aren't in the catchment area. My kid got into the high school that was closest, even though that school was my second choice.

I have three neighbours who got into high school #1, and they have no history with that school, so I call BS on catchment. Schools claim they have no part in placement and that the department handles it. I can call 101% BS on that; sure, the department has a role, but I know how it really works.

This is applicable to the Western Cape. Regardless, the placement worked out, though with some caveats.
 
Unless your children are top 1% students, the top 5 school is good enough. Look at values of the school as well.

My wife wanted my daughter to go to Milnerton High, I veto'd that, and I am glad, Milnerton High per my discussions with her and parents is a hotbed of bullying.

A primary school classmate of my daughter was hospitalised last year. Not the rugby saga, she was thrown with am object and was unconcious. Her mother told my wife.
 
rh1 said:
Unless your children are top 1% students, the top 5 school is good enough. Look at values of the school as well.

My wife wanted my daughter to go to Milnerton High, I veto'd that, and I am glad, Milnerton High per my discussions with her and parents is a hotbed of bullying.

A primary school classmate of my daughter was hospitalised last year. Not the rugby saga, she was thrown with am object and was unconcious. Her mother told my wife.
Click to expand...
WTF. How do kids do such crazy ****. Hope the girl is ok
 
For primary school, unless the place is a total dump I'd say go with what's closest but first do 2 things:

1. Have an honest conversation with yourself about your kid, is he / she an athletic superstar/ academic genius or might he /she need a bit extra help and see what school fits better for your kid.

2. Go and sit in the school parking lot a few mornings or afternoons and observer the kids - you can learn a lot about a schools values and discipline by just seeing how they conduct themselves - listening to what they say and how they say it etc.

Also remember - when they start doing sports and other extra circulars the 20-30 minute drive can happen 2 or 3 times a day. so it adds up quickly in terms of time spent ferrying them around.
 
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