penguinsix

There is also a wiki on getting kids into school in the US. note: remember the shots! Very important here.

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/What_d...kids_in_school

N1cky

We had real problems with this when we moved over. My daughter had completed reception and 4 months of 1st grade in the UK, she went to an amazing school and the entire class (there were only 8 of them) were reading a minimum of 3 grades above. She could also count to 100 and do basic adding and taking away.

Age wise here she fit into Kindergarten, some schools we went to told us she would could go into 1st grade, others that she would be bored in their 1st grade class, other's told us that the school catered to individual learning and she would be given work appropriate to her abilities in Kindergarten and beyond (very similar to what we had in the UK).

We decided against putting her up a grade as her birthday is already late in the school year, and she is really tiny and quite sensitive, also coming from a small school environment we didn't feel she would 'fit' into a class with some kids 2 years older and over a foot taller.

The school we chose promised individual learning, but what we got was a school that could do the talk but actually had no idea how to deal with a smart kid. They had no idea how to teach her, complained that she had been taught how to read incorrectly and that she didn't know basic spelling as she didn't circle a picture of an 'elevator' when asked what started with an E. She called it a 'lift'. The school kept trying to label her with the 'gifted' tag, and suggesting we took her to the gifted school down the road. One moment they were saying she was extremelly bright the next that she had to relearn how to read and write.

We lasted 4 months before moving her again. She is now at a school where her school work is more tailored to the individual's skills. When asked to write something, they can write 1 page or 8 pages, its up to them. She is challenged and happy.

Lessons we have learn't: The principle is the backbone of the school, if they are passionate that will come across in their teachers and lessons. Kids friendships aren't as tight here as in the UK, if your child starts school in the UK encourage them to be friends with lots of kids rather than having a best friend. Ask to observe a class, look at the work the kids are producing, don't just believe what they tell you.

Englishtart

In the UK the first year of school (full days) is called reception class, it is pretty similar to a US pre-school day, it introduces the kids to reading, simple math and learning things like time, colours, days, months etc. Not really 'full on' classes until the following year.

AmerLisa

I knew it was called "reception" but not fully aware of what they learn as we moved when our daughter was 2.5 almost 3.

naomi

Most kids in our school district start at 5 or 6. My little girl (December birthday) starts Kindergarten in September, and will turn 6 in December. Our cut-off is Aug. 31. Many parents who have kids with summer birthdays hold the kids back for a year so the kid will be 6 when they start.
Naomi.

nethead

It's the same here.

Ash UK/US

That could be true of any age!

Sally Redux

The PLAN appeared to be a practice ACT test, it was optional at our school.

Englishtart

Yeah, it was a prep test for the ACT, but not optional at his school, the SAT practise test he did last year in CO was, but apparently not this one.

AmerLisa

A 4 year old is usually more immature then a 6 year old....unless of course there is something wrong.

Noorah101

I think it depends on the child's birthday, where it falls in comparison to the school year...but I can tell you I started Kindergarten in Connecticut at age 4 years 9 months. I was almost always the youngest in my class, all the way through graduating high school at age 17 years 5 months.

Rene

Teira

Alright I think I will wait until we actually move to make the decission because it would depend on the school and her emotional maturity at that time. I don't want to put her with kids that are a year older if it would be a bad move for her.

Oh and in regards to her vaccinations. She's up to date with all her UK ones. I can pay for her to get the hep ones before we leave and get a print off from the doctors would that be sufficiant evidence? I'll also need them for myself since I'm doing a degree in nursing and will probably have to prove that (as well as do my state exam).

AmerLisa

Check the laws of the state you will be moving to, where I live (Washington) you can personally exempt your child from vaccinations. I'm not saying she should or shouldn't have any or all, it just buys you time to obtain them over here and she doesn't have to be held back from school.

Teira

just out of interest what ones do they have to have? The only one I'm even slightly concerned about her having is the chicken pox vaccine because it's still being improved upon.

CitySimon

When does Children's education in the US start?

Some might suggest that, err... Ah, forget it!