Clary's POV
After a few weeks of constant deliberations, Jace and I decided that the best thing for Grayson was to sign him up for preschool. It was a hard desicion to make, but I convinced Jace that Gray needs to socialize with kids his own age. He hasn't spent that much quality time with him, so he didn't like the idea of him being gone half the day. Then he had to convince me that he was going to be fine while he was at preschool.
The first day was kind of hard for Jace and I, but Gray loved it. I kissed him goodbye and he just walked in with Rafael like it was no big deal. That afternoon I set up a little artist studio in the house for me to paint. I haven't painted since before Gray was born, but I want to start painting again. Ever since Gray started preschool, his education is the only thing on Jace's mind.
"Have you given any though on where Gray's going to go for preschool?" He asks as we sit down in this little quirky restaurant for lunch. Lunch has been kind of our one on one time since Gray's still at school.
"The assigned school has a great rating" I shrug not even realizing there are other options. "I've never given it much thought really".
"He can't go to public school" Jace shakes his head.
"What's wrong with public school?" I raise an eyebrow.
"Nothing" he says apologetically realizing his condescending tone, "nothing's wrong with public school. I just want to make sure he gets the best".
"And a private school is automatically the best?" I ask, "we went to public school, and we turned out just fine. You got a scholarship to law school if I remember correctly".
"I know" he sighs, "it's just that this school I'm thinking about is what's right for him". He's actually starting to explain his point now, "it's designed for kids like him. Kids who travel a lot and don't have a normal life exactly". I listen intently even though I still don't agree with him. "It works as a normal school and an online homeschool at the same time, which means he can come on tour with me even if he's in school".
"I don't know Jace" I shake my head, "When I agreed to move here I still wanted to make sure Gray had a normal life".
"That's the thing Clary. He doesn't have a normal life, and that's not necessarily a bad thing" he places his hand over mine on the table. I close my eyes and take a breath. "We don't have to make a desicion right now. Just come check the school out with me, and then we'll talk about it".
"Ok" I sigh trying to take the high road, "I'll go check out the school, but this doesn't mean I agree to let him attend".
A few days later, Jace was able to get us in for a tour.
"What is Gray doing here?" I ask Jace when I come back from running some errands noticing Gray all dressed up and playing in the play room. He's supposed to be in school. "He was supposed to go to Alec's after school". I look at the time and realize he isn't supposed to be out of school for another few minutes.
"Did daddy take you out of school early?" I ask Gray now.
"No" he shakes his head still playing with his train.
"See, you can trust me to take care of him for a whole day" Jace smiles not realizing Gray isn't done talking
"We never went" Gray says honestly like its no big deal and I turn to look at Jace.
"Way to tell on me" Jace mutters to Gray, "I took you out for ice cream".
"Jace!" He is not helping his case.
"I'm sorry" he apologizes, "but I didn't want him to be at school all morning and then have to spend the whole afternoon looking at the school".
I thought we were doing this alone, but apparently Gray is coming along. "Did you at least tell Magnus he didn't go to school?" I ask concerned since he was supposed to pick him up.
"Actually" he smiles, "Raf didn't go to school either because they are coming with us".
"You're something else Jace" I shake my head laughing. It's amazing how he'll do anything to get what he wants, "let's get going then".
We drive for a few minutes until we come up to a private street with a large gate and a sign with "Bridgeway" written in big bluish silver letters and "The New World School" in a smaller font below it.
"This is it" Jace peeks at the sign as he pulls up to the guardhouse next to the gate and rolls the window down. "Hello, we have a meeting with Mrs. Ashdown"
"Name and ID please" the uniformed security guard requests.
"Jonathan Herondale" Jace says and hands him his ID.
The guard goes in and checks something on the computer before coming back and handing him his ID back, "thank you Mr. Herondale. Mrs. Ashdown will meet you in the Early Learning Center".
"Thank you" Jace says and the gate opens.
As we roll down the road, I look out the window. This place looks more like a country club than a school. There are tennis courts, a swimming pool with diving platforms, soccer field, and a playground. We reach the school and I'm speechless. It's like a big contemporary museum, made mostly out of glass and concrete. There are pops of color here and there coming from murals, furniture and artwork, but it's mostly made up of neutral colors. Uniformed kids can be seen running around outside, and rushing to get to class in the corridors.
We turn when we see a sign pointing us to The Early Learning Center. The Center is just to the side of the Main school next to the playground, and is the most colorful out of all the buildings. We park and walk to the entrance were Mrs. Ashdown is waiting for us. We recognize her because we spot Alec and Magnus talking to her.
"Hello" Jace says as we walk up to them.
"Ah" the lean woman with dark hair nods, "you must be Mr. Herondale and Ms. Fairchild". We shake her hand. "Welcome to Bridgeway. This is Ms. Bellefleur. She's the Head of the Early Learning Center".
"It's nice to meet you" I smiles still in shock over this place.
"And this is Ms. Whitewillow" she points to the light haired girl next to her, "she's one of our Kindergarten teachers. She'll be taking Grayson and Rafael to spend some time with her class. I believe they're going to gymclass now right?"
"Yes" Ms. Whitewillow nods taking Gray and Raf by the hand and walking away.
"We'll see you in a little bit" I reassure Gray and they leave,
"Alright then" Ashdown turns to us again, "let's get started".
"This is the Early Learning Center" she starts as we walk into the building, "it's where our 3's, our 4's and Kindergarten is located. After that they move to the Lower building were 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade are. Then they move to the main building. The east side is where 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade and the west side is High School". "The Early Learning Center's drop off is at 8:45 a.m. so it doesn't collide with the older kids. Lower School and Middle School come in at 8:15 and High School comes in at 7:45. Then the pick up time is 2 in the afternoon and the rest of the school gets out of class about an hour later, but most kids stay for after school activities. We also offer free before school care for kids who have older siblings and have to get to school earlier".
We walk through the Center which is shining with colorful banners and cute little designs. We peek into the preschool class that is currently having story time.
"Each grade only has one classroom since there's about 20-30 students per grade" she explains, "Once they get to the main building, they no longer have a classroom but have to go to each class on their own".
"The playground is exclusively reserved for kids in 3rd grade and under" We finish looking at the Center which had its own little gym, a small library, a cafeteria, a smaller indoor swimming pool, and an art room, "The rest of the school has free time instead of recess, so they can go to the cafeteria or the library or the courtyard". "Swimming is mandatory twice a week up to 2nd grade. So they need a bag with a bathing suit, goggles, a swimming cap if you choose to, and a towel. After that is optional and its an after school activity. Our swim team is one of the best in the country". "For Early Learning and Lower school boys we have karate, Soccer, Music, Gymnastics, Tennis, and after school care for a fee if for some reason you can't pick them up on time".
We walk through the main building, which is gorgeous, just to check it out since Gray has a long way to go before he gets here. The walls are lines with touch monitors that display various school news and upcoming events and gray lockers.
"Early Learning boys wear Khaki shorts or pants,the navy blue polo with the school logo, white socks and white sneakers, while girls wear Navy blue and red plaid V strap jumper with a white shirt, white knee socks and white sneakers" She points out as we look at the kids uniforms. "Lower School is basically the same except the girls can wear the jumper or a regular skirt. Then in Middle School and High School girls may only wear skirts, everyone has to wear either the navy blue or the white polo with the logo, they have to bring brown dress shoes and have their Gym uniform and white sneakers in their gym lockers to change for gym class. All the uniforms can be ordered online on our website".
"We wanted to know a little more about the Homeschool Program" Alec points out when we all sit down in her office to talk a little bit. I feel like I'm a little kid in the big principal's office, but this is like the ultimate office. High ceilings, tall bookshelves, the newest technology, and a whole glass wall that has a view of the entire campus.
"Ah yes" Ashdown nods sitting down, "We created this program for kids who have to travel a lot. For example, Skylar Mason is currently in 7th grade, and she is an elite gymnast. She travels a lot for training and meets, so whenever she's home she comes to school and whenever she's away she goes on our online school platform to catch up with her work. There's a few more kids like her that really take advantage of this program. We can also provide a tutor to travel with the kids if they are going to travel for a longer period of time".
I have to admit that does sound like a good option instead of not being able to see Jace when he's on tour.
After the long tour, we go out for some dinner and Magnus and Alec tag along. We sit on a booth and Gary and Raf play with the kids menu and some crayons they got at the entrance.
"So?" Jace has been dying to ask what I thought of the school, but hasn't.
"It's incredible" I admit with a big breath, "but a child's education shouldn't be so expensive"
"But look at the big picture Clary" Magnus cuts in, "It has every activity you can think of right there, swimming, soccer, music, karate, dance, everything. They'll be somewhere paparazzi won't be able to get to them".
"Plus" Alec adds, "They'll send a tutor to help the kids stay up to date with their school work whenever we're traveling if we choose to".
"I guess it is the best option for him" I finally agree and they all smile proudly.
"They still have to pass the test to get in" Magnus points out.
"Yeah" Jace takes a sip of his beer, "but they'll be fine".
They will be, and they are.
Jace and I take Gray back to the school for the test a week later. We sit outside a small classroom filling out some paperwork as Gray tests inside. They have him recognize some letters and numbers, draw, write, and play with some building blocks. They ask him some questions, like when his birthday is, how old he is and his full name. And finally, they have him run and jump in several ways to see his motor skills. After we leave, Raf goes in for his test.
A few days later, Jace gets a call from from Ashdown personally letting us know that Gray has been officially accepted to start Kindergarten next fall. We couldn't be prouder, even if it's just kindergarten.
I know this Chapter was a little slow, but next chapter is going to be pretty exciting! Sorry that the last couple of chapters have been so short, but senior year is kicking my ass right now! Next chapter I promise will be longer.
Just as I did with the genders, Im leaving the names up for voting. The list of names below are the final names. Most of them have been suggested and some I chose. Please pick the 2 names you like best, and the 2 names with the most votes in the end will be the girls' names.
Jessica
Sabrina
Natalia
Madison
Avery
Grace
Julianna
Rebecca
Amelia
Michaela
There will be more opportunities for these names to get chosen later on in the story!
Thank you so much for supporting this story! I really appreciate it. Im sorry if you were disappointed with the girl/girl result, but I promise I have some great ideas to go with it.
See y'all next chapter!
