The Prime Meridian

A few weeks ago, the kids and I went to see a matinee of Race to Witch Mountain (that's what happens when you let the kids pic the flick!) Anyway, I ran into an old friend that asked about why we decided to send our kids to Meridian. We're definitely not rich (that's the first question people usually ask when they find out the kiddos go to a private school :) and it was really quite by accident that we even found out about the school in the first place.

When I went back to work a few years ago, we were left with the decision of trying to figure out what to do with Tehani since she wasn’t in school yet. I’d been staying home with the kids at the time and hadn’t even planned on going back to the tv station yet (that’s a whole ‘nother story!) so I was scrambling to find daycare. Somehow I found out that Meridian offers all day kindergarten AND that they had a later cut-off date for turning five meaning that Tehani could start school that year even though she wasn’t turning five until later in Sept. Good-bye, daycare. Hello Kindergarten!! (In my mind it wasn’t “costing” us anything because I was simply taking the money I would have paid to the daycare and giving it to Meridian :)

Anyway, our original plan was always to just send Tehani there for one year. Then we’d transfer her to the local public where Kobe was in 1st grade. (Those of you that have been to our house know we are right across the street from a school) It was a very simple plan—until Tehani actually started going to Meridian and we could see the difference in the education she was getting!! Her classes were tiny--and I’m not just talking about the kids. It also helped that she had a fabulous teacher (Believe me, I love my kids but wrangling a room full of 5 year olds all day long is not my idea of fun!) And while I know Kobe was getting the basics at his school, Tehani was getting a lot of extras—foreign language, drama, art, dance, etc.

Norm was instantly sold—he wanted both kids to attend Meridian. I was sold as well, but I’m also the one that balances our checkbook. I didn’t see how we could afford to send both kids to school there. At the time, Meridian had a few partial “scholarships” for new students so the next year Kobe was able to start 2nd grade as a Meridian Mongoose as well (don’t ask me how they decided to choose a mongoose as their school mascot!)

It was a stretch for us financially. Don’t get me wrong, Meridian’s tuition is a steal when compared to other private schools. And I can think of a million other things that I could do with their tuition money--buy myself a whole new wardrobe, finish our basement, finally put up a fence in our backyard…but I can honestly say that the education they’re receiving has been worth every penny! (I’m just counting on the fact that when they are grown and rich, I will be able to guilt them into taking care of Norm and I in our old age—or at least paying for our nursing home!)

So from French class (the kids start a foreign language in first grade), to learning how to ballroom dance (Yes, Kobe is dancing with a girl in that photo), to super high test scores, we’ve found our Prime Meridian. Go Meridian Mongeese!!