When fellow parents inquire about where my child will attend kindergarten, I proudly mention our local public elementary school. The reactions often include surprise, quickly followed by, “Oh! Is that a good school?” In those moments, I sometimes find myself answering, “No,” though that’s not my true intention. I say this because, based on the typical metrics parents use to gauge a “good” school, it may not meet their expectations. There are no yoga classes, no active PTA, and no art programs. The school has uniforms, a limited budget, and declining enrollment. Organic lunch options and structured after-school activities are absent. There’s no knitting club, circle time, or restorative justice programs. The school demographic is 72% Latino, 15% Asian/Filipino, 5% white, and 5% black, with 83% of students coming from low-income households. Historically, it has been overlooked by many affluent families in our community, yet it remains steadfast, eager to serve the children of our neighborhood, regardless of their families’ resources.
We had alternatives. Charter schools are plentiful, and we received offers from many of them. We are fortunate enough to potentially afford private schooling. Yet, this “Hooray! It’s Kindergarten!” post is intended as a declaration, a call to action, and an unfiltered expression of my perspective as a mother, neighbor, and community member in a lively, diverse urban area of Los Angeles.
Here’s why we made this choice:
- Because it is a genuinely good school with caring parents, dedicated teachers, and committed administrators, even without the polished brochures or extravagant professional development programs.
- Because there’s no lottery system, no complicated admissions process, and no waitlists. If you reside in the neighborhood, this school is for you.
- Because it is filled with potential and excellence, despite the fact that many families in our area overlook it or feel it unworthy of their support.
- Because just as I maintain the small green space in front of my house for my neighbors and myself, I also see my local elementary school as my responsibility—one that I must support, trust, and engage with.
- Because if I do not intentionally place my children in diverse environments—socioeconomically and racially—I risk raising them in a bubble of privilege. It’s not enough to have good intentions; I must actively confront the issues of school segregation that persist in our city. If I keep my child sheltered from the realities of equality, I’ll inadvertently perpetuate a skewed worldview.
- Because unless my children interact with peers from various backgrounds and experiences, they may normalize their privilege. When the time comes to educate them about structural racism and classism, they will lack the context if their only exposure has been superficial. Acts like filling bags with hygiene products for those in need or donating during the holidays may seem commendable, but if that’s their only real-world contact, it won’t suffice to dismantle the biases ingrained in our society.
I often hear, “Well, if it doesn’t work out, you can always switch schools.” While that is theoretically true, my privilege allows me the option to select a school that aligns with my values (like those with meditation clubs or no-homework policies). However, as a community member invested in educational equity, I refuse to perpetuate a system that sacrifices another child’s educational opportunities for my own.
I embrace the idea that our journey may be chaotic, fun, frustrating, exhilarating, and imperfectly beautiful. When I shift away from the belief that I must follow a predetermined path to ensure my child’s success—best preschool leads to best elementary school, then best high school, and so on—I find joy in simplicity and resilience, even in the face of challenges. I believe that even if my kids’ lives and educations aren’t perfectly curated, they can still grow to be wonderful individuals.
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
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Summary:
Choosing our local public school over private and charter options stems from a deep commitment to community, equity, and the belief that education should be accessible to all. By actively participating in our local school, we contribute to a diverse and inclusive environment that reflects the values we wish to instill in our children.