Parent's Talk: How Do You Choose an Elementary School for Altadena Kids?

Educational choice is never a topic that stays out of the news for long--just look at last week's story about the of one of Altadena's elementary school campuses (Loma Alta) by a charter school.

While many parents of Loma Alta students have been disturbed by the news that the school will not be open next year, there may also be some parents who are charter school advocates who welcome the news: after all, the Rosebud Academy, which is taking over, will be able to do a lot more at the new campus, which is much bigger than their previous site.

So as an Altadena parent, how do you chose your school?  Do you prefer the idea of your child having a neighborhood school that she can walk to?  Do you just want the best education you can offer?  Do you believe the local charter schools are superior to public schools or vice-versa?  Which school do your kids attend, and why?

To lead the discussion, we turn to our local moms council, with Courtney Scrabeck, Nina Malone, and Deborah Graff of the local MOMS club, as well as local moms Leslie Aitken and Nadine Isenberg, and Laura Monteros.