Might be moving to FLorence AL or in the area (Muscle Shoals: environment, relocating)

[essn1977]

We may be relocating from NC and wondering how the public schools are around the Florence/muscle Shoals area are rated?? are these family towns? are the schools good?

[Southlander]

Florence has its own public school system, and it's very good. Not sure if Muscle Shoals is a city or county system, or they are included in Tuscumbia or Sheffield. Probably a little digging will turn that up.
There have been a few threads and posts about the Florence area. Do a "search this forum" (upper right) and that should reveal them.
The entire Quad Cities are is VERY family oriented. Good parks, lots of youngsters' sports. There is a nice, small 4-year college with a great football team and a community college (NW Shoals) for advanced education.

[Keeper]

Look at the very bottom of this page. You will see other threads listed there

[Southlander]

Keeper, I don't see anything at the bottom of the page. I know what you're talking about because another forum that I belong to has them. Do I need to adjust my settings or something??

[pennquaker09]

I have family in both Florence and Muscle Shoals. Both are great city school systems, but people will usually say that Muscle Shoals is better. Muscle Shoals has a very homogeneous population. A very small percentage of the students are on free or reduced lunch (a poverty indicator). So, I think it ultimately depends on how old your children are.

For elementary school, Muscle Shoals would top Florence, unless you send your children to Forest Hills Elementary.

Now, for middle school and high school Florence definitely beats Muscle Shoals. It's one of the better high schools even at the state level. Florence has teachers that are known across the state. Recalling my high school days, I was very active in science competitions and dorky things of that nature and the Florence kids ALWAYS won or came close to winning. In student council , I think they were president of the state a couple of times. Florence and Muscle Shoals have a tendency to both get great teachers because they have access to (arguably) the best education college right there in Florence. It's my understanding the Florence system offers more academic courses and puts equal emphasis on both sports and the arts.

If you live in Muscle Shoals, you have the option of sending your children to Florence, for free. On the other hand, Muscle Shoals will charge you tuition AND there is no gaurantee that they will even take your child.

Florence and Muscle Shoals are both city school systems, btw.

[Bravo35223]

I have learned something here....it is good to know.

I hope the new rail car plant will help the local economy.

[Keeper]

Blah.. Well I just glanced at the bottom originally and just now realized they were for Florence SC..

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[KMK]

Since NC has thee best academic environment in the south you will be disappointed. Our public school systems in Ala in general are rather substandard. And since Florence consolidated 2 high schools things have become rough. In fact many of the public school teachers choose to put their children in private schools. Our county schools are not as rough as the city school but lack in academics. Our economy is in a serious slump. Most of our stores have folded. There has been a movement over the past several years to make the area a retirement community. There is nothing for our youth to do(not kid friendly). In fact the majority of our youth make a mass exodus after they graduate. The Tenn River can provide some summer entertainment but assess is challenging unless you own a lake home. With the exception of sports activites there is nothing for kids to do in this area. The crime rate has increased tremendously over the past few years. Esp theft. You will probably get more house for your money in this area but even that is slowly changing. Good Luck to you!

[essn1977]

Thanks, Im looking around the muscle shoals area and I have been on great schools to look into the schools and it was saying that the muscle shoals schools have a 9 rating if I feel my children wont get a great education I have no problem putting them in private schools. As for nothing to do where Im from in NC there is very little to do as well so that is no change. I live more in the country atmosphere. Thanks again.

[pennquaker09]

The best private schools are in Florence. However, they are all religiously affiliated.