Perfection, defined

If there is such a thing as a perfect public school, I found it in La Jolla Elementary. That place pretty much has everything you could ever ask for, including:

1. Ideal hours.
The school day is 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

2. Nap time.
The only places that still offer a kindergarten rest time are private schools. And LJ Elementary. They get quiet time after lunch.

3. Challenging curriculum that includes science.
They're paired with a program from UC Berkeley and the principal said if they wanted, they would qualify as a science magnet. And when I went in the K classrooms, the kids were working with actual microscopes.

4. Smaller class size.
Instead of going to 30 kids in one class, they're keeping theirs at 24 because their parent foundation makes enough money to cover the cost.

5. Amazing fundraising.
By the way, guess how much they bring in each year? I heard Hearst brought in $60,000 at their fundraiser last year, Marvin about $50K. So I was expecting to hear a number like that.
Uh, no.
They raised $250,000 last year!! Though most of it is through the open air market they host every Sunday and from events like the La Jolla Food and Wine Festival that donates its proceeds to the three local elementary schools.

6. Clean grounds.
The campus is incredibly clean and well maintained. It's got a bunch of Dr. Seuss themed art because, afterall, that was his neighborhood school.

7. Spacious classrooms.
There are four kinders, three were excellent and one was a bit psychotic with the amount of stuff on the walls. A bit of over-stimulation. But more than enough space for everyone.

8. Cozy atmosphere.
The separate kinder area has its own drop-off section, playground and garden.

9. Library.
Theirs looked a lot like the newer, beautified San Diego school libraries. Only with LJ's extra funds, they added oversized pillows shaped like books and they have very light classical music playing in the background at all times.

10. Test scores.
I don't care about this so much, but their API score is 988 out of 1000, making them the second highest-scoring school in the district. One point behind the first place school, which I believe is Torrey Pines.

11. Technology
In third grade, kids get their own laptop computers.

12. Proximity to coffee/books
The school is next door to one of my favorite cafes, The Pannikin, as well as D.G. Wills, one of the best local bookstores around.

There were a few negatives:

1. La Jolla stereotypes.
La Jolla is a rich neighborhood. And I walked in behind two moms, one had a giant patent leather Chanel bag, the other a giant Louis Vuitton. Another dad in the crowd asked if kids could bring laptops to school before second grade, which came off as kind of ridiculous, even to the other La Jolla parents.

2. Parking.
Parking is impossible and the commute would be pretty nightmarish.

3. Funding.
I assume you're expected to write a big donation check

4. Choice
The chances to Choice in, even if you go to an underperforming school that is re-assigned to go to La Jolla, are practically non-existent. You basically have to move to the area to go and the rent in La Jolla is pretty crazy.

Conclusion:
The school was amazing enough that I would consider moving into a two bedroom townhouse to be able to send the kids there. But I still can't imagine doing pick-up and drop-offs at two different schools so very far from each other.

I think that maybe I'll wait until Ella is old enough for Kindergarten and then we'll figure something out?

It really was that spectacular.