Which OUSD Transitional Kindergarten?
Parent Q&A
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Manzanita SEED vs. Melrose Leadership Academy (MLA)
–Sep 28, 2023Are there any parents here who have put their children through the TK program at Manzanita SEED or Melrose Leadership Academy that can share their experience? My husband and I are starting to consider what schools we want to try and send our daughter to next year. She is eligible for TK in 2024 and while she currently goes to a bilingual Spanish preschool, her Spanish isn't great. My husband's first language was Spanish and his mother (and most of his family) doesn't speak English. Because my Spanish isn't great, my husband often forgets to speak Spanish when we're all together. Having our children learn Spanish is important to us so they can have a meaningful relationship with my husband's side of the family. Long story short, we really want to try and get her into a public Spanish-English dual immersion Elementary school. My preliminary research shows that Manzanita SEED and MLA look like they could be a good fit, although they are a bit of a drive for us. We live in Oakland but on the Piedmont border and we've also considered trying to transfer into the Piedmont school system and make more of an effort to incorporate Spanish into our children's lives however we can. Private school isn't an option, otherwise, we'd consider EBI. We do make good money but we do not have any disposable income after we pay our rent and bills.
Sep 28, 2023TK - Sankofa vs Prescott
–Jul 11, 2023Hello! Any parents of students at Sankofa or Prescott willing to connect or comment about their recent experience at Prescott or Sankofa with younger kids (TK, K, 1st). I am getting a super late start or selecting my son's school for next year. Prescott is closer geographically, Sankofa intregues me based on the limited info/reviews I have read. Was unforch not able to attend any open houses/tours so we are kind of going in blind. Any and all advise welcome! Because he is an older sibling I feel like this is a big decision as it could possibly "lock us in" somewhere for the next 7 years. Thanks in advance.
Jul 11, 2023Hi BPN families,
We're hoping to send our son to an Oakland TK program this coming fall and the schools we're looking at only have one review each from 2021, all the rest are really out-dated - I understand that TK is recent for these schools and I can't imagine what a nightmare it was for parents last year. That being said, if any parents have current thoughts about the following schools, I'd love to hear! Full disclosure: we had no idea TK was a thing, only learned from a preschool parent 2 weeks after the OUSD deadline. So, I'm hustling to learn and hopefully choose by March 24 - I'd love to not pay $25/k for a 3rd year of preschool if possible!
We're deciding between: Emerson Elementary, Sankofa or Manzanita SEED.
I'm not totally clear what we're looking for, but I think: focus on social/emotional development, little to no homework, passionate teachers that have been there for a bit, some creative element, diversity (ability, socio-economic, racial, etc.), commitment to anti-bullying, after school options, etc. We're not concerned about testing scores or the other things Great Schools website focuses on. Any and all suggestions greatly appreciated!
Mar 15, 2022Hello, I'm seeking recent feedback on experience with TK at Thornhill and Montclair elementary schools in Oakland. We're deciding between sending our daughter to TK or keeping her at preschool next year. Specifically looking for input on:
- What did you like about TK that felt like a change from a preschool program?
- What didn't you like about the program?
- How academically rigorous is the program? Are kids learning to read and write? Trying to determine if TK is more academic than preschool.
Thanks in advance for feedback!
Feb 16, 2021OUSD TK Options - Sankofa or Emerson?
–Nov 18, 2016We are just starting to tour and get ready to submit our Options paperwork to OUSD for TK 2017/18. We are zoned for Sankofa, but are looking into Emerson (the next walkable TK school), & a few other schools down hwy13 that are on our weekly commute route, and where we already have a large community of friends. I am drawn to the idea of a neighborhood school, saturating our efforts into our immediate community, and being able to walk. That's why we're making a go of an urban family life after all.
I'm looking for recent Sankofa & Emerson parent and student experiences. PTO, TK, K & beyond. I've had a comfortable experience so far reaching out and getting encouraging information from Emerson. I can't say it's been positive or even organized with Sankofa. Am I missing something?
Also, I'd love to hear any experience, advice or protocol for re-optioning for Kindergarten after a TK assignment, just in case that seem best for our family.
Thank you.
Nov 18, 2016
Happy to chat - my daughter has been to both schools and is currently at MLA. One of the big distinctions is that MLA starts at 90% Spanish and 10% English and goes to 50/50 at about 4th grade, whereas SEED starts at 50/50. We are not a Spanish-speaking family so the 90/10 model was key in ramping up my daughter's Spanish skills.
I hope you'll get some answers from folks at those schools but I would also encourage a wider look at OUSD Spanish immersion schools. We're at Greenleaf but that would probably be too far for you. (Our kids preschool is best Peidm and it's is a slog to get them up there.) Also their TK is in English with Spanish enrichment and a class full of primary Spanish speaking students, though the rest of the years at the school are Spanish immersion. International Community School is also a great option though last time I checked they don't have a TK. But they would be closer to you probably.
To transfer into Piedmont, one parent needs to work full-time there or your childcare must be located there (with proof of enrollment required). OUSD has gotten much stricter about enforcing these rules in recent years, so if one of those doesn't apply, it may be easy to take that option out of the mix. OUSD has a number of dual immersion schools, although MLA and Manzanita SEED are likely the closest to you. It might be worth looking at the others too, though. We have friends who've had good experiences at both of those schools, and also at Greenleaf. And it could be worth applying to EBI to see what kind of aid they offer--you never know.