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Finding the right fit

Lingering at No. 1 on the Perkins waiting list, we opted for private school.

As the product of public schools, I had no doubt that if I ever had children they would attend public schools, too. With caring teachers, an engaging curriculum and involved parents, school, I believe, is what you make it, no matter what school you attend.

However, our 5-year-old son started kindergarten this month at a private school, Lutheran Church of the Cross Day School in St. Petersburg. We tried to put him in public school, but it just didn't work out.

Last fall we decided that if our son was going to go to a public school, it would be one of the magnet or fundamental schools. We did some research - reading, talking to parents and so forth - and picked three schools we preferred.

One was the clear favorite, Perkins Elementary. We toured the place and were very impressed. It's a performing arts magnet school. With its nurturing teachers, Perkins felt like it would be just the right fit.

Late last year we found out our son was No. 4 on the waiting list for Perkins. We were repeatedly assured by parents whose kids had attended Perkins that we definitely would get in. Sure enough, some families moved or opted for a different school, and soon our son moved up to No. 1 on the list.

And there we stayed.

We got calls from the other two schools we had at the top of our list, but we turned them down. We had decided we would get him into Perkins or not go to public school at all, at least not this year.

The summer came and went, and we never did get a call from Perkins. We still haven't heard from the school.

Fortunately, we had an excellent backup plan. Our son has attended preschool at Lutheran Church of the Cross Day School since he was 2 1/2, and he has done very well there. It's a wonderful school, complete with small classes, nurturing teachers and a challenging curriculum that includes a religious element you can't get in public school.

What we will do next year is still up in the air. The crunch time will come in a year when our younger son is old enough to start preschool. Maybe we'll try the magnet/fundamental lottery again then.

In the long run, you have to do what is best for your child to make sure he gets the best education. Whether it's kindergarten, high school or college, it has to be the right fit - for you and your kids.