Originally Posted by ultramarina
Re my concerns--my friends like the school very, very much, which is in itself an advertisement for it, I realize. I have tentatively discussed my concerns with them but it hasn't gone anywhere useful.

This all sounds very familiar, ha ha. My good friends all sent their kids to the DS's preschool, and they all gave rave reviews. Alas, some things you cannot comfortably discuss with your friends without offending them. I guess I would try to go with your gut instinct about the school. If things don't work out, you can always change school situations.