windsor ca schools? (homes, preschool, live)

[karelise]

Does anyone have any thoughts on the Windsor, CA public schools?

thanks!

[missionhome]

Academic performance at some Windsor schools, such as Windsor High School is subpar. CA schools are already not known for having a great reputation and schools in Windsor range from 5/10 to 7/10. There is more to a school than just test scores and actual parents of kids at the school would have to chime in on their opinons to get the "beyond the test score" view.

Look at the CST results and stuff to see how proficient the students are at subjects.

[karelise]

thanks! I've looked at Great Schools and School Matters but I agree that testing results can be a little skewed. Not to say that they are inaccurate, just that I would love to hear some anecdotal thoughts from parents or teachers.

[tl_swift]

I live here and have 3 children in the public school here so I can give you some information based on a parent aspect.

First off you would need to know how the schools are set up here. It is an important factor if you have more than one child. The district consists of 8 schools. You can find more info on them at wusd.org.
Mattie Washburn = grades K-1
Windsor Creek = grades 2-3
Brooks = grades 4-5
Windsor Middle = 6-8
Cali Calmecac Charter School (Spanish Immersion)= grades K-8
Windsor High School = grades 9-12
Windsor Oaks (alternative school) = 10-12
North County Consortium Preschool (preschoolers who have special education needs)

Some people are put off by the fact that the kids have to switch schools every two years. I must admit when I had one in high school, one in middle and one in Windsor Creek before I started utilizing the school bus system I didn't like it. However, I will say that while the children are in the school that they are at is nice that everything at that sight is geared for the children in that age bracket. It is not a big deal for the children to change because everyone changes. Your child would be going along with all of his/her peers. Every year before school is out the schools have the buses transport all of the children in the graduating grades to the next school site for a field trip assembly. Then there are always parent nights where the parents have their assembly as well.
The teachers are great!! Many of the teachers in the older grades have their classrooms open during the lunch period for extra help. The high school offers several free extra help classes during lunch period and after school. The teachers are very prompt in returning e-mails and I communicate regularly though that avenue. The high school teachers also post their homework on their class web site that parents and students can check on assignments. As far as the school test scores go you have to keep in mind that appox 30% of the students are Hispanic from non-English speaking homes. That does effect a students ability if they are not taking advantage of the homework help at the school site and the parents at home are unable to help with the homework. That then effects the test scores. Also, another plus to me is that many of the teachers live here in Windsor and take part in community events. The relationship that you develop with them goes beyond the classroom.