IMHO- In My Honest Opinion

I suppose it is not a bad thing to have to choose between two very good options. Its a tough choice but other people should be so lucky.

Ft. Herriman middle school is a very good option.
The best thing about Ft. Herriman middle school is principal Rodney Shaw. His literally tireless efforts have brought to the school several programs including:
PODS which allow for team collaboration, smaller group management, and assigns each student a mentor teacher who remains their mentor through the three years at Ft. Herriman,
Diamond Time which is a carrot and stick recognition program,
Late Start is Dedicated collaboration time used to perfect lesson plans.
Mr. Shaw shows thoughtful consideration and reasonable solutions to every aspect of running a school.
BUT he is a District employee which means that they could reassign him to any other school as they see a need and he would have no choice in the matter. By his own admission, he is concerned that this may happen at any time. Being a district school means that school policies are created at the district or state level. All must comply, and there is nothing a parent can do about anything. There is a culture of throwing your hands in the air, pointing at the district or state, shaking your lowered head and muttering helplessly, "well, what are you gonna do?"
The district school board neither solicits or responds to parental concerns, nor do they have any incentive to do so.
The academics offered are satisfactory, the teachers are exemplary, there are no extra curricular programs offered and the blame for that is placed on funding. Student to teacher ratios are astronomical. The numbers are misrepresented even more by adding a second adult to a 45 student classroom.
Still, the environment is safe. Expectations are clear. The kids are encouraged to be accountable, check Skyward, resolve any missing or poorly completed work. Keeping informed is easy and accessible for parents. The school does not put burdens on families. Ft. Herriman middle school is a very good option. If it were our only option I would not have much to complain about.

Providence Hall elementary school has exceeded my expectations so I have to extend the same consideration to the middle school at least until they prove otherwise. The curriculum and teaching methods are superior to any we had previously experienced. The dress code certainly goes a long way in curtailing behavior issues. My personal preference is the classroom aides because I believe a second adult in the room encourages excellence in teacher performance. When we address the political issue, Hands Down the charter school has the advantage. The school board are parents, they are easily accessible and listen to and respond to parent concerns. They struggle to maintain community approval especially with the district schools blatant attacks. The charter school is forced to maintain a higher standard of education or it would fail miserably. I have no doubt that PH is the superior school.

BUT

Our one major concern is: we are worried that being in a different school would alienate our kids from the youth group in our ward. To be completely honest, Eva already feels the effects of this at her age through Girls Achievement. Sometimes when I ask her why she doesn't call so-and-so in the neighborhood to "hang out" she says because they already have their own friends from school. I am sure this would only amplify as she gets older. For this reason alone, we are trying to decide which school she should attend for 7th grade.

Two good options, but you have to sacrifice something for each. What are we willing to sacrifice?