What to do if the local school doesnt cut it?

[GBov]

I didnt know where else to ask this so here goes, we are looking at a house in Lake County Florida and the nearest public elementary school isnt great but the two next ones seem to be great, good parent reviews and good test scores so I was wondering if we had to put our children in the nearest school or could we go for one a little farther away from the house?

This is all new to us so any info would be great

[Wags]

What about private schools or home schooling?

[GBov]

Originally Posted by Wags

What about private schools or home schooling?

We havnt the money for the first and I have to admit, with embarrassment, that I havnt what it takes to homeschool. Not enough discipline to hit the books when the day is good. We have enough trouble with just getting the homework done never mind the entire school day too LOL

He is loving the school he is in right now but with the chance to own instead of rent we are trying to find a house in a good school district closer to Mr GBov's work. Funny how schools almost side by side can be soooooo different.

[Callieslamb]

You need to check with your school district to see if they allow open enrolling. Are you sure the closest school is the one your children would attend? If so, then, usually, your only hope is open enrollment. Usually, this means that if the school you want to attend has room, they can let your kids in. You will most likely have to provide transportation.

Personally, we decided to support our local school rather than deal with transportation issues as well as 'where will the friends live?" issues. We can deal with a bit lesser of a school. I would only go by test scores, not by what other parents say.

I would look very hard at the test scores then visit the schools in question - interviewing the principle and teachers. Then make your decision.

[SpaceCadet12364]

Yes, you do not want to take for granted that your child will automatically go to the closest school. Especially if there are 3 in fairly close proximity.

When we lived in Virginia Beach, we figured our DD would be going to one school that was pretty close (within 5-10 min walk) from our house....even when they put in a new school, didnt think that would affect it.

Well, she ended up having to catch the bus to the other school....there were even kids that lived ACROSS THE STREET from the older school, but had to go to the new one because of where the "lines" get drawn/redrawn for who goes where.

Check with the schools (don't overly depend on anything a real estate agent might say...they may not have the most current info, they just want to sell you a house) to see where their boundaries are....or, as another poster mentioned if you arent in the boundaries for the one you want, maybe they will have open enrollment. But, transportation would likely be on you....unless bus routes overlap each other, you might get lucky on that aspect of it.

[MaineFarmMom]

I drove for three years. It was worth the time and energy. I work from home and had the freedom to plan my work day around driving.

[Lilandra]

meet the teachers and walk thru the school in the morning before classes and again during lunch, go to a concert or athletic event and see how parents, teachers and the community interact before signing up for a school. an elementary education is the most critical of all the school years and a poor school is going to affect the kids outlook on learning. ask about their special ed classes and the diversity (rich/poor, minority etc) of the school. ask what high school and middle school the elementary school sends them to.
trust your heart on this, if it doesn't feel right - keep looking. a little driving in the morning and afterschool can save a ton of heartache later.

[Wolf mom]

My children went to private school through the 8th grade as I was a single parent & felt I could control their environment better.

The first year of high school the district I lived in had an exchange program with another school district.

The second year I had to pay $1000.00 to keep my eldest in the other school district.

The third year, with two in an "out of area district" I moved into that school district.

What we won't do for our kids!

I did this because when I went for the HS parent orientation, the principle talked about "if" your kids go to college.

The out of area HS principle talked about "when" your children go to college.

What a difference a word makes.......

[ronbre]

let us know what you find out

[sidepasser]

same here Wolf Mom - I took my son out of public school and put him in private school where the words "when you get to college" was the school mantra. Best thing I ever did. Some public schools are very good and others are horrible, too bad they can be in the same district.

Do what you can to get your kid in to the best school, ask the principal about his philosophy on homework, higher education, etc. It does make a difference. Even in your child doesn't want to go to college, at least he will have had the best education you could get for him.

[ErinP]

I allowed my kids to be in a sub-standard school until my oldest was in third. We did a lot of stuff at home, but finally came to the conclusion that we only get one shot at our kids' education. So, we're homeschooling for a few years. Jr. Hi/HS will be in a new district. We'll re-evaluate then.
But until then, I know I'm an excellent teacher. I have a proven track record with others' kids, surely I can manage my own.


BTW, our "local" school is 12 miles away for grade school, and 35 for Jr.Hi/HS. Private is not available.
Nebraska has open school districts in that you can send your child to any school you want, though if you're out-of-district you'll probably have to handle your own transportation.
Is the same option available in Florida?

[Beeman]

That's a good part of differences in property values, school districts play a big part. I have no idea what Florida will allow, chances are since it's a carefully planned property value state they might not allow anyone to be in a school district they don't reside in. Here in TN I don't think it matters, some charge a slight tuition if you're not in the district but they're all so bad it really doesn't matter.

[GBov]

Thank you all for your great help and advice! We just found out the house we were looking at is a pre foreclosure so wont be on the market for aaaaaaaaages so it wont work. No biggie as we are just starting the big hunt but as the school is so important all your excellent information will not go astray!

Cheers.

[SpaceCadet12364]

If it is in pre-foreclosure, maybe you can work something out with the current owners? Maybe offer to buy them out of their equity/take over payments/refinance.....something to that effect? I think I would try the taking over the loan, so then you could refi.

They likely will not make anything on the transaction, but some people may be willing to look at options such as what you might be able to do.....so the foreclosure does not happen and will not be on their credit report.

[WisJim]

Remember that there is a big difference between "school at home" and real "homeschooling". One duplicates what happens at school, the other lets kids learn at their own pace.

[Lilandra]

Originally Posted by WisJim

Remember that there is a big difference between "school at home" and real "homeschooling". One duplicates what happens at school, the other lets kids learn at their own pace.

homeschooling can be school at home with exact curriculum from the sponsoring school district, there is no such thing as "real homeschooling" vs school at home -- if learning and grades are earned at the kitchen table taught by family, friends and neighbors its home school... and it can be just as bad as a bad public school

like everything in life - you get out what you put in. even in the worst schools, there are some very bright kids and teachers.

[pheasantplucker]

I taught in public schools. If your child is gifted or has special needs, and your nearest district can't or won't provide services, then they are obligated to let you enroll in a district that will. Our district allows parents from neighboring districts to pay tuition and employees such as custodians, and cooks, secretaries, etc. all are permitted to enroll their children without tuition if they live elsewhere. I think your classroom teacher is more important than the district and it's reputation. You can have a crummy district, but there could be an outstanding teacher who would be your child's teacher for the year. That's what I care about, more than anything else. If you go to the district, and ask specifically which teacher your child(ren) would be assigned to, and then meet with them, you might find that you don't need to look elsewhere. On the other hand, you might find a district that looks both "Super" and "Duper" and your kid gets the one bad apple that the district can't seem to get rid of, and they're basically "Waiting out for their retirement" and you've moved and jumped from the frying pan into the fire. Be upfront with the principal, teacher, etc. Good luck.

[camprunner]

We spend less time homeschooling than we did doing homework for public school. She's still ahead for her grade level and getting a very applicable education.

[camprunner]

We spend less time homeschooling than we did doing homework for public school. She's still ahead for her grade level and getting a very applicable education.

[Homesteadwi5]

Our local school is unsatisfactory to DW,so we've enrolled dd into a charter online school she's enrolled in a different district within the state and completes everything on a laptop that they provide.