When parents inquire about where my little one will attend kindergarten, I proudly say our local public elementary school. This often raises eyebrows and prompts the follow-up question, “Oh! Is that a good school?” Sometimes, I find myself saying, “No,” although that’s not my intent. The truth is, based on the metrics most parents use to evaluate schools, it may not fit the bill. It lacks yoga classes, a bustling PTA, and art programs. Instead, it has uniforms, a tight budget, and declining enrollment. There are no fancy organic lunch options or structured after-school activities, no knitting classes, circle time, or restorative justice programs. Also, there’s no dual-language or foreign language offering, and the playground is pretty basic. The student body is primarily 72% Latino, 15% Asian/Filipino, 5% white, and 5% black, with a staggering 83% of students coming from low-income households. This school has historically been overlooked by many affluent families in our community, yet it stands strong, eager to serve the children who live here, regardless of their families’ resources or social standing.
We had choices. There are plenty of charter schools around, and we were accepted into several. We’re quite fortunate and could have afforded a private education. However, this “Yay! First day of Kindergarten!” moment – complete with a shiny backpack, sneakers, and a beaming smile – serves as our manifesto, a heartfelt declaration from me as a mother, neighbor, and community member in a vibrant, diverse urban area.
Here’s why we made this choice:
- A Good School Exists: It may not have the flashiest amenities, but it’s filled with caring parents, dedicated teachers, and administrators who truly care.
- Access for All: There are no lotteries or secret enrollment policies. If you live here, this school is yours.
- Endless Potential: Despite the lack of attention from some families, this school holds incredible promise and excellence.
- Community Responsibility: Just like I maintain the little patch of green in front of my house, I see it as my duty to support our local elementary school. I want to trust and advocate for it.
- Diversity Matters: If I don’t place my children in diverse environments, I risk raising them in a bubble. Acknowledging and addressing school segregation is crucial, and I want my children to learn about resilience and humanity in a real-world context.
- Broader Perspectives: If my kids only engage with peers from similar backgrounds, they might miss the vital lessons about structural inequalities. Volunteering and donating are great, but if that’s their only exposure, it won’t provide the comprehensive understanding they need.
I often hear, “Well, if it doesn’t work out, you can always find another school.” While true, it overlooks the privilege I have to make that choice. I want to be part of a community that advocates for equitable education, ensuring that every child, including mine, receives a fair shot.
I know this journey will be filled with ups and downs – messy, fun, frustrating, and exciting. When I silence the frantic thoughts about a linear path to success – best preschool, best elementary school, best high school, and so on – I find joy in the simplicity of life. My kids don’t need a perfectly curated education to become amazing humans.
As Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
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Summary
Choosing our local public school was a decision rooted in community responsibility, diversity, and the belief in a good education for all. Despite its lack of amenities, it represents a commitment to equity and understanding in an increasingly segregated world.