Time flies so fast and our unica hija will already be going to school in June! We had three options: Statefields School, Elizabeth Seton School – South and Westhill International School. I’ve heard lots of good feedback on these schools and they are all competitive. Now, the question is how to choose the best preschool for Kelsea.
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There are a lot of factors to consider which in the end we are all hoping that our child will be at her best in that pre-school and most importantly to see her happy.
Here are my comparisons of the three pre-schools in Cavite we were choosing from:
Statefields – 20 to 30 minutes away from home
– traditional school with Multiple Intelligence
– one classroom for Nursery with 3 sections (air-conditioned)
– big school (Nursery to High School)
– lowest tuition fee among the three schools (around 40k)
– accepts cash, check and credit card payment
– student teacher ratio is 16:2
– 3 options for class hours
– Not yet K-12 ready
– Registrar staff gave us a tour around the school and explained all about their pre-school
Seton – 30 to 45 minutes away from home
– traditional school with Multiply Intelligence
– air-conditioned room for pre-school but open classroom set-up for GS & HS
– newly built and modern pre-school building (separate from GS and HS)
– big school (Nursery to High School)
– highest tuition fee among the three schools (around 57k for quarterly payment)
– accepts cash, check and credit card payment
– student teacher ratio is around 16:2 more or less as well
– 3 options for class hours (as far as I can remember)
– K-12 ready (Nursery is optional)
– Catholic school
– learned about pre-school info thru the open house program with campus tour
Westhill – 10-15 minutes away from home
– progressive school
– air-conditioned rooms
– one classroom only for Nursery
– big school (Nursery to High School)
– mid-range tuition fee compared to the two schools above (around 54k)
– accepts cash and check only
– student teacher ratio is around 10:2 (sometime even less)
– only one option for class hours (8am-11am)
– not yet K-12 ready
– Christian school
– Kindergarten teacher personally showed us the whole school and oriented us with their pre-school system (more like a Montessori way)
Statefields and Seton were our choices from the start. First choice was Seton. We were already given 2 weeks to pay the tuition fee. But at the back of my mind, I want Kelsea to be assessed in Westhill. So I requested for an extension from Seton since it was also Holy Week that time.
We visited Westhill for the second time (first time was with my friend Faye and her daughter Maia who is also Kelsea’s friend). No classes already since it was already summer vacation but the Kindergarten teacher who accommodated us was there. She let us enter the Nursery classroom so Kelsea can feel the environment. She was so comfortable and even stayed with Teacher Ofel while her dad and I went to the admissions/registration office. Unlike in Seton where she had tantrums during our first schedule and need to re-schedule the exam and always wanted us to be by her side. She behaved well also in Statefields because she took the exam there with Maia.
Weighing all the pros and cons and thinking what’s the best for our child, we then decided to enroll her in….
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It was a really tough decision! I’ve known Seton since my grade school days. My cousins are currently studying there (but in their Main branch). But there are reasons why our hearts our telling us to choose Westhill. More of these reasons on my next post 🙂
Congrats erlaine.At least nakakita na kayo ng school for kelsea. Proximity is one of my priority kaya when I saw the travel time from your home, 10-15mins at least di mahihirapan si kelsea 🙂 Same with Chloe, papasok na sila this June. excited na ang bagets 🙂
Yes, advantage talaga yung malapit lang. I’m sure excited din ang mommies hehe 🙂
Good to know you’ve decided on Westhill. I haven’t heard much about the school as it seems relatively new. (?) I just often see its billboard every time we exit SM Molino. Statefields and Divine Light are among the most competitive in the Molino area. Of course, Seton has its merits too as it’s been an institution for a longer time.
I actually sent my daughter for nursery at Harrell Horne Integrated School in Bahayang Pagasa, Bacoor. I’m satisfied with how she was taught and guided. The only thing the school doesn’t provide though is a solid Catholic education/spiritual formation.
After my daughter graduated nursery, my husband and I transferred her to a PAREF school in Alabang. By far, a very good choice. Medyo malayo lang from our place. (We live in Imus.)
I hope your little girl Kelsea enjoys Westhill! 🙂
Hi Connie! Westhill is new but the founder is not new to teaching. More info about the school at http://westhill.edu.ph/our_history. So far, I’m satisfied with how they teach the kids and the good Christian values instilled in them. Is PAREF school inside Ayala Alabang?
Yes, there are 2 PAREF schools in AAV – Woodrose and Rosemont.
I’m only familiar with Woodrose. BY the way, how does PAREF schools differ from other schools like DLSZ?
PAREF schools have relatively lower teacher-student ratio. Every kid is assigned a personal formation mentor (whom she chats with every term) and an academic mentor who carefully monitors her learning.
Many of the activities encourage family bonding (Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, etc). We also like how the school teaches Christian virtues and comes up with activities that enable kids to demonstrate these virtues.
The parents also get to chat with their kid’s teacher every term to discuss the progress and needs of the child. New parents attend an education program every quarter and weekend recollections (as scheduled).
The holistic instruction is pretty much the same as the other preschools. But what we really appreciate is the Catholic formation and teaching. While we may be able to show our children how to practice Catholicism, we may also need the help of a school in explaining the doctrine, traditions, etc. You may visit http://www.parefpreschools.org for more info. 🙂
I’m not altogether familiar with DLSZ but from what I hear, the school has apparently has a very large student population.
PAREF schools sounds great. Thanks for the info! 🙂
Miss Connie, ask ko lang po kung maganda ba turo sa harrell? plan ko po kase i-enroll ang anak namin this coming june (nursery), since bago lang po kami dito sa molino wala po ako mapagkunan ng mga fedbacks regarding sa mga schools na malapit dito sa amin. gusto ko po maging tama yong desidyong gagawin namin sa pagpili ng maayos na eskwelahan para sa kanya. pls help po! Thanks in advnce po 🙂
Hi, Gretchen. Yes, I still would recommend Harrell Horne’s preschool. They now use the Regio Emilia curriculum, which is an “offshoot” of the Montessori system of education.
Hi Erl! I’m scouting a school for Lucas already. How was Westhill?
hi good day! I just want to know more about statefields school. the tuition fee in elementary level. my daughter is grade 2 this coming school year. thanks
Hi! I’m sorry but I don’t have a copy of it since my daughter goes to a different school. You can contact Statefields School for the tuition fees:
Manila line: 02.584.4189
Cavite line: 046.872.3281; 046.872.3282; 046.872.3932
http://www.statefields.edu.ph/index.php
Thanks for dropping by! 🙂
Hi! We are pondering on enrolling our daughter in westhill. We inquired via email and said our daughter will be in nursery. May I ask how has it been for your child? Is their curriculum montessori or progressive? Thanks!
Hi po, we’ll be transfering to malagasang, imus next year and im searching for a pre-school near jade residence. What school do you suggest po? Thank you