Finding the Perfect Fit for Your Child’s First Steps in Education
As parents of a rising kindergartener, you’re embarking on an exciting and crucial journey to select an educational path that will lay the foundation for your child’s academic future. School choice is a significant decision, and it’s essential to consider the array of options available.
This guide is divided into following blocks:
- Kindergarten Readiness – elements of kindergarten readiness
- List of School Choices in Boerne, Fair Oaks Ranch, and San Antonio Area
- How to decided which option is best for your child and family
- Importance of high-quality preschool to prepare your child for Kindergarten
Kindergarten Readiness: HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR CHILD IS READY TO MAKE THE LEAP?
Kindergarten is an exciting milestone in a child’s life and is a child’s first significant educational transition from toddler exploration to school-age expectations. It is a bittersweet emotional event for both parent and child. It comes with significant changes: no naps, more structure, more expectations, and letting go of your 5-year-old can be hard.
Kinder readiness is more than just academic preparedness. Even students who have attended preschool may not be used to a more structured academic setting. The step-up can be intimidating. “Beginning long before school entry, a child’s early experiences play a role in kindergarten preparation. Their social and emotional skills are just as important as their early cognitive skills. “
Elements of Readiness
Cognitive and Academic Skills:
- Language and Literacy: Recognizing letters, knowing some letter sounds, and being able to express themselves verbally.
- Basic Math Skills: Understanding numbers, counting, recognizing patterns, and simple shapes.
- Attention and Problem-Solving: The ability to focus on a task, follow instructions, and start solving simple problems.
Social and Emotional Skills:
- Social Interaction: Being able to interact positively with peers and adults, sharing, taking turns, and playing cooperatively.
- Self-Regulation: Managing emotions, coping with challenges, and having some ability to follow routines and directions.
Physical Development:
- Fine Motor Skills: The ability to use hands for tasks like holding a pencil, cutting with scissors, and manipulating small objects.
- Gross Motor Skills: Basic movement skills like running, jumping, and coordinating body movements.
Independence and Self-Care:
- Personal Care Skills: Basic self-care skills like using the restroom independently, dressing, and eating without assistance.
- Confidence and Curiosity: Willingness to explore, try new activities, and the ability to persist with tasks.
Approximately 40% of children in the U.S. are estimated to start kindergarten lacking the necessary skills for learning and social interaction, affecting their ability to thrive in a formal school setting.
School Choices in Boerne and Fair Oaks Ranch
In the Boerne, Fair Oaks Ranch, and San Antonio area, several options are available for parents when their children are ready to transition from preschool to a K-12 organization.
Eligibility to join a Kindergarten Program in Texas
- Be five years old by September 1st of the school year
- Reside in the school district.
- Have up-to-date immunizations
- Have a legal birth certificate.
- Have undergone the required screening tests
- Social Security Number (optional)
Public Schools
Public schools can be a great choice for many families, offering a comprehensive education that is accessible to a wide range of students. They offer a wide range of elementary, middle, and high schools, providing diverse educational opportunities.
Features: FREE (paid for by tax dollars), Transportation, Meal Programs, K-12, Sports, AP, Facilities, Community
Boerne ISD – Enrollment: Opens March 2025
List of Elementary Schools: Van Raub Elementary, Fair Oaks Elementary, Kendall Elementary, Cibolo Creek Elementary, Currington Elementary, Fabra Elementary, Herf Elementary, Viola Wilson.
Transportation: Boerne ISD provides daily transportation to students who live more than TWO MILES from the campus of regular attendance that services their home of residence as measured by the shortest route that may be traveled on public roads from the student’s home to school.
Charter Schools:
A charter school is a type of public school that operates independently of the traditional public school system but is still funded with public money. Charter schools are typically created and managed by organizations or groups of individuals, such as educators, parents, or community members. These organizations or groups are granted a charter or contract by a local or state education authority, which outlines the school’s mission, goals, curriculum, and performance expectations.
There are also numerous charter schools in the area. Charter schools often offer unique educational approaches and specialized programs. Research the different options to find one that aligns with your child’s interests and needs.
Texas 2025-2026 Enrollment Timeline
- Open Enrollment: Oct 23 – Dec 18
- Lottery/Enrollment Offers: January 24, 2025
- San Antonio Charter Moms is a great resource for charter schools: https://sachartermoms.com/san-antonio-charter-schools-guide/
Our top recommendations would be Basis and Great Hearts.
Important Dates: Charter Schools Oct/Nov 24 – Decisions Jan 25, Private Schools Oct 24 – March 25, Public Schools March 2025
Private Schools
Boerne and San Antonio have a variety of private schools, each with its own curriculum and educational philosophy. Private schools can offer smaller class sizes and more individualized attention.
Keystone, St. George’s Episcopal, Saint Mary’s Hall, TMI, and Montessori School of San Antonio are our top recommendations.
Homeschooling
If you prefer to have more control over your child’s education, you might consider homeschooling. Texas has homeschooling regulations that you’ll need to follow, but it allows for a highly individualized approach.
Religious Schools
If you’re looking for a school that aligns with your religious beliefs, you can explore religiously affiliated private schools in the area.
Geneva School of Boerne – A classical, Christian school offering K-12 education.
Montessori Schools
Montessori education is an option that emphasizes self-directed learning and hands-on activities. There are Montessori schools in the area that cater to various age groups.
Hill Country Montessori School – A Montessori-based private school providing education for toddlers through middle school.
Dual-Language Programs
Some schools offer dual-language immersion programs, which can be a great option if you want your child to become bilingual or multilingual.
How do you decide which program/School is right for your child and family?
Choosing a school for your rising kindergartener is a significant decision and can set the foundation for their educational journey. Here is a checklist of important factors to consider when deciding on the right school:
Understanding your Child
- Learning Style: Does the school cater to your child’s preferred learning style (visual, auditory, kinesthetic)?
- Temperament: Will the school’s environment suit your child’s personality (introverted vs. extroverted, independent vs. collaborative)?
- Interests and Strengths: Does the school offer programs that align with your child’s interests and talents (arts, STEM, languages)?
- Needs and Challenges: Is the school equipped to support any special educational needs or challenges your child may have?
Assessing the Schools
- Educational Philosophy: Does the school’s teaching philosophy align with your family’s values and your child’s learning preferences?
- Curriculum and Programs: Does the curriculum cater to your child’s academic level and interest? Are there programs for advanced learners or support for those who need it?
- Social Environment: Is the school known for a supportive social environment that would allow your child to thrive?
- Classroom Dynamics: Would your child do better in a school with smaller classes that offer more individual attention, or do they thrive in larger group settings?
- Extracurricular Opportunities: Are there clubs, sports, and other activities that match your child’s non-academic interests?
- Teacher Engagement: Do teachers seem engaged and caring? How do they interact with students?
Aligning Values and Logistics
- Family Involvement: Does the school encourage and provide opportunities for parent involvement?
- Logistics: Consider commute time, school hours, after-school care, and how these factors fit with your family’s routine.
- Future Pathways: Does the school provide a strong foundation for your child’s educational future, including transitions to higher grades?
Communication and Support
- Feedback and Support: How does the school communicate with parents about a child’s progress? What support systems are in place for academic or personal issues?
- Community: Is there a sense of community and shared goals among students, parents, and staff?
As you navigate this decision, consider your child’s individual needs, your family’s educational values, logistical practicalities, and long-term goals. It’s beneficial to tour schools, attend open houses, and connect with other parents to gather insights. Remember, the best choice is one that aligns with your child’s natural curiosity and love for learning, fostering their growth into a confident and enthusiastic learner.
Preparing your child for Kindergarten – Preschool Options
Every child deserves a strong start in life; the foundation laid during the early years is vital for their future. Early childhood development not only influences academic success but also affects lifelong health and productivity.
“The most important period of life is not the age of university studies, but the first one, the period from birth to the age of six. For that is the time when man’s intelligence itself, his greatest implement, is being formed.” – Maria Montessori
List of preschool’s in Boerne/Fair Oaks Ranch Area
- Apple Tree Day School
- Children’s Lighthouse
- Excelled Montessori
- Hill County Montessori
- Lil Explorers School
- Mini Texan / Cadence
- Planet Kids
- The Nest Nature School
- Thrive Early Learning Academy
- Messiah’s
- FBC Boerne
Not Every Daycare/Preschool is for Every Family
When it comes to selecting the right daycare or preschool for your child, it’s important to remember that not every school is a perfect fit for every family. Every child is unique, and so are the needs and values of each family. The choice of daycare or preschool should be based on an understanding of both your child’s individual needs and your family’s priorities.
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Programs offered at ExcellED Montessori Plus include:
✔️Infants (10 Weeks – 18 Months)
✔️Toddlers (18 – 36 Months)
✔️Primary (3-6 Years)
✔️Kindergarten
✔️Mother’s Day Out
✔️Spanish Immersion / Dual Language
✔️After School Programs and Summer Camp (6 – 12 Years)
Music, Spanish, and Yoga are other programs included as part of the tuition.
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