Here are 5 reasons you should (or shouldn’t) cross a school off your list.

1. Don’t reject the school if the parent leading the tour is rude or not well informed about the school’s curriculum or which math program the is used. This happens and its up to you to excuse this one parent if you like the school. I’m not saying don’t make a mental note of it, but he/she is only one out of many parents at the school. Leading tours is a coveted volunteer gig and there are many reasons why parents are selected for this job. You can always attend another tour and hopefully it will offer different tour guide. Disappointing? Definitely. Dealbreaker? No.

2. Don’t reject the school if the school’s website is outdated or disappointing. Yes, we assume a private school in L.A. should have a great looking, informative website, as well as a Facebook Page and even a Twitter account. Well, that’s not always true. Don’t cross a school off your list just because its website falls short of expectations. There are many reasons for this and as the saying goes, “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” You might be surprised to learn that some schools are behind the technology curve by a few years. Maybe you can be the volunteer who changes that!

3. Do reject the school if the distance will make you crazy. For kindergarten, if a school is too far from your house, delete it from your list. What is “too far?” This is different for every family, but with young kids a long drive too and from school can be difficult on everyone. Carpools are unpredictable with little ones and its best to assume you’ll be doing a lot of the driving. Try driving to and from the school during morning and afternoon on a weekday.

4. Do reject the school if you are on a tour and you don’t like the way a teacher is speaking to the kids, that’s a red flag. If a teacher seems disinterested or is snappish with the kids, this could end up being your child’s teacher. Of course, there are different teaching styles and educational philosophies, and some schools are stricter than others. But, if you hear or see something that doesn’t sit well with you, it might be because it’s the wrong type of school for your family.

5. Don’t reject the school because you dislike the behavior of families on the tour. Obnoxious questions and over-the-top-bragging are overheard on too many tours to let it influence your decision about a school. Remember, these are parents who are touring, but that doesn’t mean their child will be attending the school.

Getting your first enrollment contract can be exciting and daunting. As you may have noticed, tuition isn’t the only cost of private school. Now, I’m not complaining, I’m just saying…its something to think about. The reason I’m not complaining is that I think private school is worth every penny. I really do! Even so, very few of us are immune from the stresses of the family budget and the hefty price tag associated with a good private school education.

Here’s a breakdown of some of the fees you can expect. Tuition is the big expense, but it’s not the only one. This is not based on one school, but our own example of what an L.A. private elementary school might cost.

EXAMPLE OF FIRST YEAR COSTS 

Tuition:  $24,000 (can be paid in full or using a monthly payment plan which charges interest and requires tuition insurance)

Facility Fee: $750

Class Trip Fee: $200

Parent Association Fee: $75.00

Field Trips: Many field trips are free, but overnight trips can cost several hundred dollars.

Hot Lunch (optional). Many schools offer hot lunch and the cost will depend on the school and how often your child orders hot lunch, but it can cost about $6.00 per day. 

Enrichment Classes (optional): These afterschool classes like cooking, art and sports generally cost about $100 per class. You should note that many kids take more than one enrichment class per session. There can be two or three sessions per year.

Teacher Holiday Gifts/Gift Fund (optional)

School Bus: $2000/year

School Uniforms: $500/year

Aftercare Programs/Extended Care: Many schools offer afterschool enrichment classes and aftercare for parents who work. Every school is different, but the cost of after school care can be substantial and is definitely something you should budget for if you need it.

Spring Break and Summer Camps: Some schools offer their own camps during vacations. If your school has a camp, it’s convenient and a good way for your kid to be with their friends. The costs for school camps start at about $350/week and may include lunch.

The other costs like Annual Giving, school fundraisers, classroom charitable projects and bake sales, moms night out are worthy of a separate post (coming soon).

Emma Katznelson, Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management, Wildwood School

We’re delighted to welcome Emma Katznelson to Beyond The Brochure! Emma is the new  Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management at Wildwood School.  Emma earned her B.A. from Columbia University and her masters in education from UC Berkeley. Emma began her work at Wildwood as a Division Three (9th and 10th grades) humanities teacher in 2009 and subsequently served as a division coordinator. She joined the admission team as associate director last year. I’ve written about Wildwood School’s beautiful outdoor space previously on the blog. Congratulations on your new job, Emma! – Christina

Question: You have a very busy job that involves interviewing lots of families and deciding who to admit. How do you plan to approach your new job?

Answer: First and foremost, at the heart of my job, is doing what’s best for students. I joined Wildwood four years ago as a 9th and 10th grade humanities teacher, advisor, and division coordinator (teacher leader). Each of these roles has allowed me to expand my understanding of how to prepare young people for today’s world.  As the director of admission, I continue to use my experience in the classroom to inform my approach to outreach, admission, and community building.  Wildwood is a progressive, college-prep school. Our program is unique and a large part of my job is to ensure families understand the benefits of an education that is student-centered, project-based, and multicultural. As families go through our application process, my goal is to assess the best fit for students, especially considering if they will be and feel successful here—academically, socially, emotionally and including extracurricular activities.  Part of what creates that success is our warm community.  An important aspect of my role is engaging current students and their parents in fostering an environment where all feel welcome.

Question:  What are the most important qualities Wildwood looks for in applicant children for kindergarten?

Answer: At our elementary school, life skills are embedded throughout the curriculum. These include concepts of flexibility, perseverance, curiosity, and integrity, to name a few. These qualities inform our practice. Our admissions process for students entering kindergarten includes a school tour, parent interview, Saturday campus visit day to explore school readiness, and a recommendation letter from the child’s current preschool director.  Our evaluative approach is holistic, looking at the whole child.

Wildwood Elementary School: Big Yard

Question: Is there a certain type of family that Wildwood admits?

Answer: At Wildwood, we celebrate differences and value commonalities. The families who join us feel at home here, are eager to be part of an intellectually vibrant place, and want to connect—through volunteering in the library, cheering our athletes at a game, or sharing expertise and insights.  They believe in the power of personal discovery and the pursuit of passion.  When parents are key collaborators in their child’s education, their children thrive.

Question: Do you have any tips for parents who will be applying to Wildwood?

Answer: Admissions is a reciprocal process.  Our intent is to get to know prospective students and parents as authentically as possible. We invite families to do the same: get to know our culture and program, visit our website, attend open houses, parent education evenings, and school tours, and, most importantly, ask lots of questions. Take advantage of the many opportunities we provide to learn what differentiates Wildwood.

Question: If a child is wait-listed, is there any chance of being admitted at Wildwood? How does that work?

Answer: Every year, we have more students apply than the number of spaces available at each entry point. Our ability to accept children off the wait-list varies with each admission cycle. In any given year, if an opening presents itself, we look to our wait-list. We are intentional about considering the make-up of a particular class and the applicant as an individual.

Question: Can you give our readers a sense of the financial aid outlook at Wildwood for 2013-14?

Answer: Wildwood is committed to developing a multicultural school population that mirrors the broader Los Angeles community. Our endowment fund was established specifically for financial aid to provide students who could not otherwise afford a Wildwood education the opportunity to enroll in our school. We support the needs of as many families as possible and our fundraising efforts continue to allow us to uphold this important part of our mission.

For more information, please visit, www.wildwood.org

Town and Country: What Makes The Rich Beg? Private Elementary School Admissions! The writer lives in L.A. and this article is written with humor about her experience applying to kindergarten for her twins, tuition costs, big donations to private schools and the fact that these schools can find out who you are with a quick Google or Facebook search.

NY Times Magazine: Is This The Best Education Money Can Buy? A fascinating article about a brand new private school in NYC with tuition of $43K per year, snacks which include zucchini bread made with quinoa flour and parents in charge. This might be your dream school or your worst nightmare!

NYT Motherlode: The Playdate Gun Debate. I’ll never forget the time we attended a playdate with one of my kid’s classmates and the dad told the moms there (including me) that he had a gun locked upstairs in the safe. This wasn’t a family I ever expected to own a gun. After an awkward silence, somebody changed the subject.

USA Today Ranks Best Public High Schools in California. For those of you thinking about public high school, you might recognize a few of these local schools.

Tiger Baby Strikes Back on Yahoo Shine is a new book by a Kim Wong Keltner, a mom herself, who rejects the way she was raised with a mother who practiced the “Tiger Mom” approach to parenting, where getting a ‘B’ means a kid is a loser and brings shame.

Happy Mother’s Day!- Christina

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This K-8 located near Playa Vista is adorned with a mural by artist Edward Massey. Photo: David Carini.

A traditional French school, here is the main campus of this Westside school.

Located in the San Gabriel Valley, this Preschool-8th was founded in 1967 by Christian Scientists. It sits on 8 acres and embodies a traditional philosophy with a focus on academics and ethics.

This stunning K-12 has one of the most beautiful campuses in the greater L.A. area. It is a prestigious school in the South Bay. Anne Simon, Beyond The Brochure co-author, is a proud graduate!

Leave a comment/reply if you can name that school! Check back in the comments for the answers.

Disclosure: Barry Perlstein (Christina Simon’s husband) is an investor in The Kelter Center. 

Lady Influencers! At a fabulous event for screening of trailer for “Pushing Motherhood, a documentary about becoming a mom later in life…infertility, and other important issues are covered in this moving film. L to R: Kristina Guerrero, Sybil Azur (Pushing Motherhood filmmaker), Linda Cevallos-French (Pushing Motherhood filmmaker), Lisa Ling (journalist), Diane Mizota (Lady Influencer event host and tv host for @Yahoo Studios). See below for links. Photo credit: @Kristen Kay Photography 2013

Sarah Maizes, funny girl/ author of “On My Way To The Bath” and MommyLiteOnline and Christina Simon at “Pushing Motherhood” event.

Lady Influncers: Healthy, delicious lunch by Paleta. Photo: Kristen Kay Photography 2013

Beyond The Brochure co-author, Porcha Dodson and I spoke to parents at Branches Atelier Preschool about kindergarten admissions. It’s an amazing place! Located near Culver City.

Branches Atelier Preschool. Reggio inspired!

Branches Atelier Preschool. Stunning!

Diane Mizota: www.dianemizota.com

Pushing Motherhood: Twitter @motherhoodmovie.com and Kickstarter Campaign

Paleta: www.paleta.com

Sarah Maizes: www.mommyliteonline.com

Branches Atelier Preschool: www.branchesatelier.com

Devra Weltman Harris

I recently had a very enjoyable lunch with Devra Weltman Harris at Le Pain Quotodien on Larchmont. We had a great time, chatting about everything from schools to parenting to our respective neighborhoods (she lives in the Los Feliz area). Devra is friendly and knowledgeable, with an expertise in helping families who are relocating to L.A. as well as private and public school placement here in L.A.

Below is my Q & A with Devra. I think you’ll find her answers very useful!

Question: You have a wide range of experience helping families navigate both public and private school admissions in Los Angeles. Can you tell us a bit about the services you offer to clients who are looking for a private elementary school?

Answer: I offer my clients a variety of services depending on what they need and where they are in the process of their search for an elementary school.  In some instances, parents come to me and they have already done a significant amount of legwork and they just want a little guidance and moral support. Other of my clients have not even begun with the process and it may be that they don’t know how or where to begin. In either case, I strive to offer information and understanding.  I always try to educate parents so they can make the best possible decision for their family. Having been trained as a counselor, I offer a general sensitivity to the seriousness of the decision the family is about to make.

Question: There is a lot of anxiety about the kindergarten admissions process in L.A. What is your opinion about why this is such a stressful process?

Answer: I believe this is a stressful process for many parents because it is one of the first really big decisions they make on behalf of their child.  We feel that we know our children, certainly, but there are aspects we might not be so sure about because they are still so young.  For example, you may think you have a very artistic child and you look for a school that is strong in the arts, but the next year your child tends toward great athletic potential.  Much of the stress comes from really wanting to put your child in an environment where they will thrive. I think it is important for parents to remember that school is only part of the development process, and that if your child should suddenly become interested in some other avocation, there are many ways to fulfill that interest outside of school.

Question: Do you have a favorite success story you’d like to share?

Answer: It may sound cliché, but what really satisfies me is when any of my clients are happy with the outcome of their search.  I am partial to the preschool and elementary school parents – it is all so new and I love to see how excited they can get.

Question: Why is it so important for families to apply to more than one school?

Answer: This is a great question, and I feel very strongly that families should indeed apply to more than one school. First, for the obvious reason that it’s crucial to have a back-up plan, even if one particular school is favored.  Also, I have observed frequently that parents can change their minds about a school as they go through the process. A school that initially appears to be a great match for a child may, over time, feel like less than a perfect fit.  A great deal of knowledge about a school environment is attained simply by going through the admissions procedure.  It becomes evident what is important to the family and to the child, and how that is reflected by the process.  This is critical and I encourage parents to embrace it fully.

Question: Are there any admissions and/or financial aid trends you’re expecting to see for 2013-14?

Answer: Admissions trends are very hard to predict. In terms of financial aid I believe it’s getting more difficult for families to receive that assistance. This may be due to an increased demand based on the current economy.  I feel it is more important to look at schools that fit into your families’ budget than to pursue a school that can only be attended if financial aid is awarded.  No parent should feel guilty about considering cost when choosing a school.  Just as one would consider class size, location, teaching philosophies – cost is another element to think about.

Devra Weltman Harris is an expert in early childhood and parenting, specializing in families with children of preschool and elementary school age. Devra holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in psychology from UCLA and a Master degree in Counseling from Loyola Marymount University and has over fifteen years experience as an Elementary School Counselor in the Los Angeles Unified School District, where she dealt with and solved a wide range of childhood and parenting problems. She currently serves as a consultant for School Choice International. To contact Devra, contact her at 323-664-4267 or email her at dweltman@sbcglobal.net

Welcome to Seven Arrows!

When Jamie Oliver, the British celebrity chef, cookbook author and Food Revolution guru is a former parent at the school, you can imagine what its gardens look like…they’re amazing. Jamie is a former parent at Seven Arrows School. While there, he inspired a series of gorgeous edible gardens that fill every nook and cranny of the compact campus. Working his magic with kids and plants of all shapes and sizes, Jamie infused the school with edible gardens that combine healthy eating and knowledge of eco-friendly gardening as part of the curriculum. This flagship program is the first thing you notice when you enter the school!

Seven Arrows is an urban school located in suburban Pacific Palisades. It is a small K-6^th school, with a total of 120 students and one class per grade. Walking into Seven Arrows on a recent morning, I was immediately impressed by the schools visuals, which are a mix of subtle and dramatic. Bold colored buildings stand out against the bright green gardens, sprinkled with barely blooming flowers. Shade and sunny areas combine to create a pleasant outdoor space. Edible plants add a sublime touch.

An edible garden

The school reflects the vision of its founder and head of school, Margarita Pagliai,
 a very dynamic educator originally from Columbia. Seven Arrows, just 15 years old, has a very vibrant, energetic feeling, much like the personality of its founder. I chatted with Margarita, who is earnest and expressive, as she oversaw the Wednesday preparation and cooking of the garden harvest of fruits, vegetables and herbs in the outdoor classroom. “Gardening is a part of the school culture,” Margarita told me. “Every kid is engaged!” she said.

Excitement was palpable as various stations were set up and kids utilized the outdoor classroom to chop, clean, cook and eat food fresh from the edible garden. Serving as a roadmap for a lifelong approach to healthy eating, the gardening program stands out for its innovative qualities. The school gardens and the outdoor classroom are a defining element of this cohesive school where healthy meets delicious!

Outdoor Classroom

I met with Omid Kheiltash, PhD, Seven Arrows’ assistant head of school/admissions director and Lindy Berman who also works in admissions. They are both engaging, friendly and very knowledgeable, talking about the type of learning that takes place at their school and its signature programs.

The kindergarten classroom

Omid told me that Seven Arrows is a school where academics are the result of the intersection of old and new concepts. The curriculum is versatile and streamlined, with a focus on academic rigor taught within a progressive approach. Taking the best from tradition, “drill and thrill” memorization are used, but progressive elements like collaboration and choice balance the approach to learning.

Spanish!

“Education can’t stagnate,” both administrators emphasized. Seven Arrows makes sure the staff utilizes the latest technology and teaching tools. The school is a big proponent of technology. There is a math/technology specialist on staff. All technology is integrated into what the kids are learning in the classroom. In 5^th and 6^th grades, students have iPads and laptops. Bringing these resources to lower grades is the goal for next year.

First Grade classroom

One of the most compelling aspects of the school is its emphasis on values and beliefs. There are seven concepts that form the centerpiece of the school’s expectations for behavior and learning, including Respect, Pursuit of Excellence, Fairness and Empathy. There aren’t just words on a page. They are ideas, which are thoroughly embedded in the school’s programs through a monthly focus on a different value each time. Counsels (school meetings) are used to discuss issues like cliques, emotions and empathy. “The messiness of life is learned in a safe place,” says Omid.

Edible garden

“Jamie Oliver’s legacy at Seven Arrows resulted in “Woolly Pocket” gardens are brimming with plants, herbs, and vegetables on virtually every outdoor surface. These “Woolly Pocket” planters maximize planting potential and are one of several innovative ideas we hope will be emulated by other organizations interested in edible gardens located in urban areas. A visitor to the school may also wish to test their knowledge of fruit trees as you stroll through the campus (beautiful signs will aid you if you need to take a peek!)” (Source: Seven Arrows website).

Science!

Kindergarten is a time for individualized attention in a warm, supportive environment designed to foster a life-long love of learning. By 5^th grade, students are writing seven page multi-media research papers on their chosen topic. Global and world festivals throughout the year are a time for celebrating diversity of all kinds. Fridays are Kuyam or all-school assembly days where parents and the entire school comes together as a community to hear guest speakers, see kids perform, sing and celebrate the Seven Arrows community.

When I asked Omid and Lindy what their admissions team is looking for, the answer was, “Parents who want what we have to offer.” Good to know!

Placement at top-tier secondary schools is taken seriously by Margarita. She makes in-person presentations to the schools where her 6^th graders are applying. As a result, 94 percent of students are accepted at their first or second choice school including Harvard-Westlake, Brentwood, Viewpoint, Crossroads and other highly competitive schools.

Seven Arrows truly shines by drawing inspiration from its surroundings, with just the right mix of whimsy and seriousness. Unexpectedly, delightfully green, the school is complete with everything a child needs to flourish. Clearly, no dream is too big at Seven Arrows!

For more information, visit www.sevenarrows.org