Schools and extra curricular activities (Charlotte, Marvin: fit in, renting, established neighborhood)

[cassbro]

I would like to relocate to Charlotte. I have visitd the city and I have looked online at greatschools.net. I am wondering about the schools extra-curricular activities such as math club, studen council, accelerated reader program......Can anyone help with what activites are in their chil's school?

[cassbro]

Anybody?

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by cassbro

Anybody?

Sorry cassbro, I think your question is just a little too general. If you want to know about a specific school you could probably get more info. Or even if you would just differentiate between elementary, middle or high school

In general we many things going on in schools all over town, chess clubs, lacrosse, scouts, choir, band, baseball, soccer, photography clubs, etc...

[marvinnative]

Originally Posted by cassbro

I would like to relocate to Charlotte. I have visitd the city and I have looked online at greatschools.net. I am wondering about the schools extra-curricular activities such as math club, studen council, accelerated reader program......Can anyone help with what activites are in their chil's school?

My suggestion is that you browse individual school websites, looking around on their archived newsletters. Here's a link to get you started to the school system that I am most familiar with:

Union County Public Schools
UCPS Schools Directory

I think student council and Battle of the Books clubs are pretty standard in all schools. Most of the area elementary school have afterschool enrichment programs (for a fee) that cover a wide range of interests (chess club, art, Odyssey of the Mind teams, Girls on the Run...pretty much anything the student body shows a demand for). For example, take a look at Kensington Elementary's website, under Student Activities: http://kees.ucps.k12.nc.us/

Middle and High schools have most every sport you could imagine (golf, tennis, lacrosse, cross country, baseball, basketball, football, dance team, cheerleading, band...) The middle school my student attended last year had something they called "team time," where the students participated in special interest clubs (photography, origami, cooking, etc.) during the school day occasionally. From Marvin Ridge High School's website, a list of clubs: http://mrhs.ucps.k12.nc.us/php/Club.php

[aquastone]

Each school has different clubs, etc... it kind of depends on what has the most interest. New schools obviously don't have what a school thats been open for 20 years has. It's best to search each schools' website, normally they have a list of their specific clubs, sports, other activities.

[MommyV]

If it's one thing I've learned over the past 4 years I've been here is that nothing stays the same. Schools are constantly being rezoned. Principals are always being moved around. Teachers are expected to do more and more with less and less. The extra-curricular activities in grammar schools are few. There's talk of cuts because CMS is having a hard time paying for gas.

So, do your research, pick the school, but don't be surprised if you get here and things aren't what you had learned.

My daughter's teacher was moved to another school just 2 months after school began and all of the students in the class were distributed among the rest of the grade classes. She never fit in and had a horrible year. She was then going to go to 4 different schools 4 years in a row because of the rezoning. I opted for Catholic school and it's been a dream come true.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by MommyV

If it's one thing I've learned over the past 4 years I've been here is that nothing stays the same. Schools are constantly being rezoned. Principals are always being moved around. Teachers are expected to do more and more with less and less. The extra-curricular activities in grammar schools are few. There's talk of cuts because CMS is having a hard time paying for gas.

So, do your research, pick the school, but don't be surprised if you get here and things aren't what you had learned.

My daughter's teacher was moved to another school just 2 months after school began and all of the students in the class were distributed among the rest of the grade classes. She never fit in and had a horrible year. She was then going to go to 4 different schools 4 years in a row because of the rezoning. I opted for Catholic school and it's been a dream come true.

NOT to argue with you, but I do think it is worth mentioning that not ALL schools are constantly being rezoned. This is actually happening in a small percentage of cases in the areas of town with continued construction of new neighborhoods. In established areas of Charlotte schools pretty much stay the same for years. My neighborhood for example has had the same high school for decades! Anyone wanting to be assured of the same schools for their kids need only look at established neighborhoods instead of new construction

[cassbro]

Thanks for the replies......I will take a look at each school's website.
I am thinking of living in the South or Southwest area (485 exit 1) since this is where my job will be. I am thinking of renting for a few months so that I can get to know the area.
The schools that I felt were impressive are in other areas. In Charlotte would my kids be required to go to school in a South or Southwest school district?

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by cassbro

Thanks for the replies......I will take a look at each school's website.
I am thinking of living in the South or Southwest area (485 exit 1) since this is where my job will be. I am thinking of renting for a few months so that I can get to know the area.
The schools that I felt were impressive are in other areas. In Charlotte would my kids be required to go to school in a South or Southwest school district?

In Charlotte we have neighborhood schools and a few magnets. Your kids would go to the school wherever your neighborhood is assigned to go - usually within a few miles of your home. So if you lived in southwest Charlotte for instance, your kids would go to school in southwest Charlotte.

[cassbro]

thanks