I've been thinking a bit about Ricochet starting Kindergarten next year. I know we're in a good district, but sometimes I still wonder about her being able to adjust to the classroom and all that comes with SCHOOL. I've never really been into private schools, but there is this one...
Let me tell you about the Colby School. But first, let me tell you about how it started. Way back in once upon a time time when I was in early middle school, we had a handful of outstanding teachers. They were the kind of teachers you hope your kids have (and I was lucky to have). They took a very hands-on approach to learning and were very student-oriented. They actually and truly cared about us as students (which is often rare after elementary school, I think). Even as a middle schooler, I could sense their uniqueness and difference from other teachers. But they became increasingly frustrated and hedged in by the public school system and all of the politics and requirements that came along with it. They got tired of dealing with serving the interests of the powers that be rather than the students. And then they left. Three or four of them. I can think of three specifically, but I think there were four. They set up a private school that focuses (amazingly) on the students and what is the best way for each individual to learn. It was very small at first and has grown over the years. At this point they serve preschool-8th graders. They integrate different subjects together. They let students experiment and discover the learning methods that work for them and share with the other students. The older students and younger students work and learn together on occasion. They have a sense of community with the entire school and more specifically within each grade. They foster respect and service and responsibility. It's an incredible school founded by some incredible teachers. I don't think any of those teachers are actually teaching now, but I'm sure they hold their current teachers to just as high of standards. It's the kind of learning environment where I think both of my children (with their vastly different attention spans and personalities) could thrive. I've told Ben, if we ever come to a point where we feel like we need to send our kids to a private school, I want it to be the Colby School. So I thought, hmmmmm, I wonder how much tuition is: $11,500 for a kindergartner - and that doesn't include uniforms and other incidentals. Obviously, I'll never be able to send my kids there, but it's one of those things that is on my "if only..." list.
6 comments:
It's so frustrating that the politics in education are driving teachers away. Just a few weeks ago our beloved school board (of the new wonderful Canyons District) in it's infinite wisdom decided that without any input from the teachers and parents at my school they would turn our school into a traditional schedule instead of the year round schedule. It is just frustrating that they feel like they can do anything to us at any time they want. That sounds like a great school, but it's sad to me that the teachers felt the had to leave the public schools because of the system. I hope you and Ben are doing well and that he is enjoying teaching up there!
I totally agree. And I do think it is sad that they ended up leaving, but at the same time, they've created this incredible school. There were some other outstanding teachers that stayed and even are still there I think. And then there are a few crummy ones, but I don't think we'll have to deal with those until middle school....and we'll do the best we can with what we've got!
Too bad you aren't in Spanish Fork! Rees Elem. is amazing like that. I think it is one of the reasons I liked teaching there so much. I didn't realize it until just now as I was reading your post, but the teachers at Rees that I admired the most, and the programs I thought the most highly of, were the ones that were like what the great teachers of PCSD past were like for us as kids. Sigh....I see your point. While I work at a private school because I finally realized that what the kids needed was not something I could do within the confines of public educations laws and structures, I don't think that I will ever be able to afford a private school for any of my own kids. Too bad the Colby School doesn't have a sliding scale like we do where I work. Incidentally, by that figure, I'm guessing that the founders are keeping that figure as low as they possibly can. I know we are special ed., but while donations and fundraisers cover most of it, we estimate that it costs around $25,000/year to educate each of our students. Generally, you'd want to cut that number in 1/2 for general ed./mainstream students. So, if our operating costs cut in half are more than what the Colby School is charging, I'd say they are probably operating on close to no profit at all (if any).
Too bad it's not a charter school instead. I'm not nearly as up knowledgeable about the educational system as you, but it seems like charter schools help to bridge this gap, because they allow so much more local control, and seem at least in my limited experience to attract teachers who are pretty excited about the schools vision, methods, etc.
They are non-profit. And I can totally see that they are keeping the costs as low as possible, especially with their facilities. They are in the old Snowed Inn and they have a couple of buildings as well as a greenhouse. The website does say that 30% of their students receive some form of financial aid, but we really couldn't afford anything at this point. Plus, I haven't even put the kids in public school yet, so maybe they'll be just fine! I know there are still some great teachers here and Trailside Elementary is supposed to be pretty good. It would just be really awesome, you know?
Hey Sarah, it's your cousin (Andrea Maughan Netzley) I just found you and your sisters blog. I am excited to see an update on you and your family, it has been a long time. Maybe we can keep in touch a little better now. Take Care
Post a Comment