Advice for relocating in Berkeley with kids this summer
Hi all. We are a french family relocating from the east coast this summer.
We are planning to go house hunting in May and hopefully find a rental then. We would start our lease in August, meaning would be very late with public schools registration.
I am confident that there is a provision for kids just relocating and that a spot will be secured. But in which school? Does anyone can provide suggestions or advice on how this will work? We are targeting Berkeley for many reasons and one of them being that almost every schools look good and we're thinking that if the assigned one is full then the fall back will also be very decent. Are we making safe assumptions?
Also, we might arrive a bit late in August and could miss the back to school day, assuming it happens arounds August 20th. Would that be a problem and should we change our plans?
Thank you very much for the feedbacks or any thoughts you might provide
Parent Replies
Hi and welcome to Berkeley! I have 3 kids in the Berkeley schools and while the elementary schools all seem to have their own culture they all seem quite good. My kids go to Malcolm X where they enjoy a stimulating and varied curriculum and high parent participation.
As far as missing the back to school, I'm quite certain that there is only a school organized one for kindergarten or otherwise if somehow the class is "looping" (having a second year w the same teacher). The class lists for the year aren't posted until the Friday before classes start. The back to school night for parents and teachers isn't until September.
hope that helps
Congratulations on your upcoming move to Berkeley. The first day of school for the 2017-2018 school year is August 29th. The BUSD website has a good overview of the assignment process here http://www.berkeleyschools.net/departments/berkeley-school-admissions/e…. As you will read, you won't have an "assigned school" based on your address, but you will be assigned to one of the schools in your zone. You can see a map by clicking on the Find Your BUSD Zone on the menu on the left hand side of the page. Each zone has between 3 and 5 elementary schools. All of them have similar demographics and test scores, so like you say, even your 2nd or 3rd or even 4th choice will be decent. If you end up not liking your assigned school, you can submit an application in early 2018 and go through the annual lottery for a chance to get into your preferred school in your zone. While you didn't ask for advice about searching for a rental, I'd advise you to allow as much time as possible to that process. The rental market, especially for units large enough for families, is very very tight.
Hi - no need to change plans. kids come late to register for situations like yours frequently. Don't change moving plans simply to make a "back to school" night which is Sept 7, 14 and 28 for elementary, middle and high school respectively. That night is after teachers have made an assessment of students - after school has started.
Welcome to Berkeley. Bienvenue.
Jan
From the Berkeley Public Schools website;
Enrollment FAQ
Can my child attend a Berkeley Public School?
Children who reside in Berkeley may attend Berkeley Public Schools. In order to ensure placement for all Berkeley children, we need three proofs of residence to start the admission process (see Required Enrollment Documentation). If your child does not reside in Berkeley you may request an inter-district transfer from your school district. Inter-district transfers are considered after Berkeley residents are placed.
What elementary school is my student going to attend?
Elementary schools are divided into three attendance zones:
Northwest Zone: Berkeley Arts Magnet, Jefferson, Rosa Parks and Thousand Oaks
Central Zone: Berkeley Arts Magnet, Cragmont, Malcolm X, Oxford and Washington
Southeast Zone: Emerson, John Muir, LeConte (grades 1-5) and Malcolm X
District-wide: LeConte Two Way Immersion Elementary School (open to incoming kindergarten students from all Berkeley attendance zones)
Your child will be assigned to an elementary school in his/her attendance zone or LeConte Elementary Two Way Immersion.
You need "proof of residency" as frequently we have students from other areas registering in Berkeley schools which is unfair tax burden.
here is url for admissions. http://www.berkeleyschools.net/departments/berkeley-school-admissions/
You'll get a spot at a school but it may not be your first choice school. Of course, with the lottery system, you may not get your first choice school anyway.
I would defintely change your plans if you can to be here and settled before the first day of school. Kids adapt a lot faster when they start at the same time as everyone else.
You may have a hard time finding housing in Berkeley in May for a lease starting in August. Berkeley is a college town and lots of students want to secure their fall housing before leaving Berkeley for the summer. If you can afford it you'd be better off starting your lease in May, getting your kids registered in school, and trying to sublet the place for the summer (if that's allowed in your lease).
I hope that you enjoy it here!