Was it always that way?

Used to be you went to your neighborhood school without any other choices.

I don't recall any of this frenetic activity around kids getting into school when I was a kid. Was it always that way?

K is only going to be 2, so we're not talking school-school, but private preschool, which doubles as daycare. And we're talking one that accepts children her age full time, so that her working parents can work. If we wanted to send her a couple of times a week, or for half days, that wouldn't be such an issue.

I switched to a private school in 7th grade that was very competitive. There was extensive testing for admission and I think only around half a dozen of us made the cut. Most of the kidshad come from the affiliated lower school that had a multiyear waiting list for entry at kindergarten. So yeah it has always been around if you've watched for it.

Sparky, yeah, but I have another friend whose husband literally camped out on Monday night (they live in Glendale, CA)to get a spot on Tuesday morning for their kindergardner. And another friend who had to go wait in line last week at 4 AM to secure a spot for her kindergardner.

~ ma, Barb. Lots and lots.

Sparky, how wonderful!!

I just saw you tagged in a facebook photo along with one of my old friends (initials CSH). Small world!

Hmm. Was it the big composite pic? Oh!! Found her! She's a doll, and so is her husband. I have a pair of earrings she made me.

Okay, got off work early, ran errands and showered, now to put on some Rebirth Brass Band and finish the auction stuff.

I guess, NoiseDesign, but I am not talking about testing - SF has had that for decades with Lowell High School, as an example. I'm talking about MANY parents on a usual basis now having to do really extreme things for their kids to get into kindergarden.

K's been on the waiting list since before she was born.

When she's ready for actual school, our only issue will be whether or not she gets into the Spanish immersion program (lottery based, so no camping out) or goes to the fabulous English-based program that is well loved and why people specify their house has to be on certain streets.

Hmm. Was it the big composite pic?

Yup. So you might or might not know her. Still!

I'm talking about MANY parents on a usual basis now having to do really extreme things for their kids to get into kindergarden.

There's no waiting in line in SF. You just have to negotiate the lottery system. It requires a fair amount of research to find the best school, with workable hours and a convenient commute etc.

Where I grew up in San Diego there were a handful of Kindergartens where parents put their kids onto the waiting list at conception and still had issues getting them in. They were all private and feeder schools for a group of exclusive prep schools