my daughter is the only black kid in her class

I grew up in a town 30 miles from the border of Mexico. Needless to say there wasn't a lot of diversity in my classrooms and a lot of the time I was the only Caucasian person. For me I didn't feel left out or discriminated against by the other children. At that age I don't think I or any other children really thought about the differences in our skin color. Although I did feel the sting of being the "white kid" when I got into junior high and high school. I was not teased but there were times when I felt ( weather it was intentional or not ) excluded because I was not Hispanic and especially since I did not speak Spanish. My son has been attending a predominately Hispanic school since kindergarten and I have never felt uncomfortable and he had good experiences at this school. On the other hand, based on my own experience I might consider putting him in a more diverse school when he leaves the elementary behind. When it comes to differences like this I think it depends on how you were raised. Children can sense bias weather we as adults say it or not. However, it has been my experience that some people still hold on to old stereotypes no matter how hurtful and outdated. We just keep telling our son that it's okay to be different and not to judge a book by it's cover.

My daughter was the only Caucasian child in her kindergarten class and my son was one of two in his preschool. Our experience in the different classes (in the same school) were at opposite ends of the spectrum. Our daughter thoroughly enjoyed the year and several years later the friends she seeks out reflect the accepting and nurturing environment of that classroom. She is truly indifferent to a person's color.

Our son, however, was picked on by the children and chastised by the teachers who were non-white. Perhaps it had nothing to do with his or their race, but it definitely felt like it at the time. And several years later that experience is also reflected in his choice of friends as the only time he plays with children who are not white is when they are his sister's friends.

Ultimately, you are the only one who can determine the impact on your child. If you feel like there is a negative impact, your perception will form the basis for her reality.

I am thankful for the experience my daughter had as I think it has made her a better person. I am thankful that my son was so young at the time as I think it spared him from being permanently jaded.

I wish you the best in making a decision that is tough on many different levels.

I am not sure if you saw the replies to the same question that you posted anonymously yesterday, but the answers are here: community.greatschools.net/q-and-a/218393/Being-the-only-black-in-the-class

My daughter was among the minority in her school from kindergarten through last June (her sophomore year). All along my daughter told me she felt as if she did not belong. Everyone was very nice, but my daughter was not always included during outside of school activities. She was popular, played Varsity sports since her Freshman year and held a 4.0 average. But she did not feel comfortable. We registered our daughter at this school because we thought since it was religiously affiliated and we do not live in a necessarily ethnically diverse area she would be much more comfortable. Children need to feel accepted by their peers, teenagers in particular look for those friendships they've established during the grammar school years. At this age, it is definitely important to make sure our children are treated fairly. However, they also definitely need to know black, white, green with purple spots doesn't matter. we are not always going to be there all we can do is make sure they are exposed to the most realistic environment possible. Our daughter, will be attending the public school in September for various reasons. Throughout the summer she has met many of the athletes from the school, has been welcomed at practices and summer games and feels comfortable thus far.