Choice of school dilemna for my “pushing” DS (very, very long)

Sorry if this turns out to be long, I fear it might. I am having a terrible time deciding upon a kindergarten for my son. And with his impulsive behavior, Im trying to figure out if a soft approach is better or a more stern approach would be better. A teacher friend of mine has told me that friends of hers who teach 1st grade see a huge difference in kids from half day vs. full day, so now Im thinking wed better get him into full day.

Choice one: Our local school district. We moved into a crummy old house to be in this school district. I have been so excited for him to go there since we moved here. Class size 13-14 with 1 teacher. But our district only has half day K. The problem is that our elementary school is very old and small, and he would have to be bused to another school in our district for the afterschool program Its a new company running the after school program so Im a little leery of all new employees (even though they say there is an extensive background check) Supposedly this new company can offer kindergarten enrichment. A few other school districts in this area use this company, but they are all pretty dismal school districts anyway, so I wouldnt put much stock in that. I would probably go with this option if we had onsite afterschool services. I cannot be there to drive him myself due to my work schedule. I dont know how much hell learn with the disruption of a bus ride mid day.

So our other choices:

2)Local Montessori program. A full day program. I have seen this school in action twice and liked what I saw in terms of the way kids learn. It is well thought of in the community, but contains alot of preschool age kids (last year, 34 preschool and 14 kindergarten) The kindergartners are mixed in with the other ages in the same room but given different work. It has 2 classrooms and they are pretty cramped when school is in session. My son is almost 50 inches tall. He is going to look like the Green Giant in that room. I have discussed his pushing problem with the owner/teacher, and she is not at all concerned. They have positive discipline in place. Plusses: loving discipline, personalized education. Minus: the little kids, not as structured as a traditional kindergarten classroom (though the school claims they prepare their kids for public school behaviors such as raising hands, standing in line, etc.)

3)Local Catholic school K-8: Again, well thought of in the community. Has been around a very long time. Won a Blue Ribbon award for academic excellence a few years ago. A friend of mine who teaches 9th grade at the our public high school says this school "turn out very nice kids who are weak in science, but they can learn. A very old building with old classrooms. The classrooms dont have any extras like white boards, and their computers look like theyre from the 80s. Class size is 20-22 with 1 teacher and 1 assistant. They have a few athletics programs, but no band or music opportunities. THe playground is the parking lot. (No kidding, no playground equipment at all) I think my son is much too physical to be stuck in a school with no playground. Is that a silly reason not to like a school? I like the idea of a school turning out nice kids however.

4)Catholic school a little further away, about 12 miles from our house. A 100 year old school. Has also won the Blue Ribbon award. The primary grade building is about 12 years old, the other campus is much older but they just added air conditioning. I havent toured the upper grade campus. 550 students in grades k-8. Class size 16-18 with 1 teacher and 1 full time assistant. Huge, modern classrooms. A very modest playground, but not the parking lot! Assistant principal was a bit snooty with me when I asked about extra help such as OT (they dont have it, only a reading specialist)she told me that I would be welcome to return to public school if they werent meeting our needs. This school is located in a neighborhood that far exceeds the income bracket of where we live, even though it is the next town over (they refer to us as the wanna bes of their community). Some of the reviews on greatschools are excellent while others talk about teachers favoring the wealthy children, and I would be concerned about their standard of living vs. ours. Fortunately, kids wear uniforms so clothes would not be an issue. He probably wouldnt meet many kids from our community, but I cant say that for sure.

5) Local school district for half day K, then a private kid shuttle over to Montessori for kindergarten enrichment. I think Id be nervous about whether the bus got him every day. The Montessori said parents have been happy with the bus.

Any thoughts? Any experiences? Sorry this is so long....

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