Kids and School

(Information supplied on this topic is from experience only, and in no way reflects policies, regulations, or laws from either Canada, USA, Manitoba, or Minnesota)

Kids and School - stuff you'll need to know:
One of the best place we found to start was Schoolhouse Magazine. This magazine lists all school divisions and describes all the schools (private and public) - all school division offices are listed with numbers to call. Anyone we called for info was very helpful and prompt with sending information out to us (less than 5 days snail mail).

If you don't want to pay for the magazine, Real Estate agents will send tons of info - call one and ask. Of course they may not leave you alone after that either! Other info is available at Twin Cities Sidewalk.Com, and search on schools.

Just as a note - so far our kids seem to be enjoying school. They're in grades 2, 4 and 7 (2nd grade, 4th grade and 7th grade in US Speak). Minnesota usually finishes quite highly in the annual US school ratings.

Registration:
What will you need to register the kids for school?

Birth Certificates are required.
Proof of Visa status - copies of TD visa I-94 form or whatever Visa you are in the US with. Passports are optional, but not required.
School records (report cards).
Immunization records (very important- can't register until proof of immunization is received - this is a fairly new regulation)
Shots kids need for school registration are the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and DPT (diphtheria, polio and typhoid). Those are the basic
shots. Remember - you can't register UNTIL you have this proof. The schools are very strict on this now.

TIP: Before you move to the Twin Cities, get your kid's shots done in Winnipeg - it will be cheaper than paying for them here!

Other info:
Social Security numbers for the kids are not necessary. ( US kids automatically have them implanted at birth :) ) Birthdate cutoff for some school divisions is September 1, not year end as in Manitoba, so some Manitoba kids will be younger than the US kids.

School districts vary greatly in the type of programs they offer, the size and structure of schools, teaching models, etc. Check around for what they all have to offer. Again, Schoolhouse Magazine lists all this information. Detailed information (class sizes, location maps, school addresses, phone numbers) on specific schools can be found for the entire USA at The School Report.Com.

Schools can be HUGE. For example, Eden Prairie school district has grades 1-4 of 850 kids, 5-6 of
1300 kids, Central Middle School Grades 7-8 1600 kids. High School looks like Red River Community
College (almost). School starting times vary greatly. 5th graders in our area (Eden Prairie) catch the school bus at 7:15, 7th graders at 8:15, and 2nd and 4th graders at 8:55. This may affect your work schedule, and is worth looking into.

Hennepin County, MN Districts	Total Student Population	Average Elementary School Population	Student Teacher Ratio	Average Class Size - Grade 1	Average Class Size - H.S. Math	Computers in Elem. Classroom
Bloomington-Jefferson	7671	590	17	22	28	K
Bloomington-Kennedy	7926	632	17	22	28	K
Brooklyn Center	1682	832	14	24	29	-
Eden Prairie	9848	949	16	24	26	K
Edina	6281	505	15	21	26	K
Hopkins	7943	613	15	25	27	K
Minneapolis-Edison	11176	436	15	19	27	1
Minneapolis-Henry	15285	498	21	19	27	1
Minneapolis-North	16765	473	28	19	30	1
Minneapolis-Roosevelt	14597	465	20	19	26	1
Minneapolis-South	12825	471	20	19	26	1
Minneapolis-Southwest	18407	543	27	19	26	1
Minneapolis-Washburn	13397	507	22	19	26	1
Minnetonka	7368	602	17	24	24	K
Orono	2651	503	14	23	23	K
Osseo-Maple Grove	7136	761	18	20	27	K
Osseo-Osseo	8885	540	21	22	27	K
Osseo-Park Center	8829	513	21	20	28	K
Richfield	4303	582	16	23	27	K
Robbinsdale-Armstrong	9683	515	25	22	30	K
Robbinsdale-Cooper	9366	518	24	22	30	K
St Anthony/New Brighton	1302	610	10	20	20	K
St Louis Park	4314	562	21	18	25	K
Wayzata	8266	661	19	23	29	K
Westonka	2415	308	13	19	25	K

Information shown above from 1997 school statistics, and are subject to change Kids and Travel:
Any time you cross the border, take the kids' entry Visa form along, as well as birth certificates. The border folks may not let you back into the US if you don't have entry Visas for everyone returning to live there.

If you are a two parent family, it may not be a good idea to put your kids on either of your Passports. The Canadian passport office mentioned that this can cause problems if the parent without the kids listed on the passport goes traveling with them. Check with the Canuck Passport offices for an explanation.

This article and information supplied by Bernie Krause. If you want more information specific to getting your kids in school, try e-mailing him.

Please feel free to contact