[JayGatsby]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

Well they're graded equivalently utilizing the same criteria across the state, so an "A" rated school in Volusia County is every bit as good as an "A" rated school elsewhere. It would probably be better to refrain from topics where you clearly have some kind of unresolved hatred, especially given it's obviously not fact-based.

Just based on experience, have you attended any public schools in Volusia county? I attended 3 high schools, one of which was an A rated school in Volusia county... I can tell you, the school in Volusia was by far the worst. To be fair though, the other two weren't in Florida so perhaps an A just doesn't say much in this state.

[jambo101]

If the kids are happy where they are and fit in well it seems rather odd logic to uproot the whole family and move cross country just because you have come to not like winters. Perhaps making that move to Florida would be a better idea once the kids have finished their schooling.
Some Autistic related resourceful reading on whats available in Volusia county .
https://www.google.ca/#safe=active&q...county+florida
Best of luck..

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by JayGatsby

Just based on experience, have you attended any public schools in Volusia county? I attended 3 high schools, one of which was an A rated school in Volusia county... I can tell you, the school in Volusia was by far the worst. To be fair though, the other two weren't in Florida so perhaps an A just doesn't say much in this state.

Florida's schools overall are at the top of the "mid-pack" so they're not as bad as many like to make them out to be. If from a top-tier state like Maryland or Massachusetts, I guess it's probably a drop off.

[LItransplant]

Not sure if you made the move yet but I will offer what I have found out. I too wanted to move and have a son who has Down Syndrome and on the autistic scale. We were looking in Volusia because we have family there and wanted to be closer to them and also lower taxes and cost of living (we live in Long Island) My child is 15. I did extensive research. Depending on where you move in Volusia, most of the high schools have some kind of programs but we found that most of the programs in the public high schools did not provide any therapies (OT, PT, ABA or knowledge of augmentative devices which we use). They also are phasing out extended school year (school in summer to stop regression). I know there are 3 private schools one of which i heard good things called Monarch which is for higher functioning Autistic children and go through high school or until they age out (in Florida to age 22). I also found out that their Medi Waiver (services for respite or employment or therapies) has a 10 yr waiting list. Yes, 10 yrs! Private school you will have to pay tuition (8 to 900/mo). You can qualify for some scholarships but cannot get full reimbursement for private school unless your child attends public school for one year. Overall I spoke to many parents via email and on the phone and to the different schools. All of them said we should stay where we are. We live on Long Island and we pay super high property taxes but in the long run, i figured out, with the services we would lose plus paying out of pocket expenses for things like summer camp and therapies that would not be covered which are covered here in NY for free (well paid through my taxes) was ultimately not the way to go for us. Your child may not need any of those things but Florida does not have the funding to supply many things that you may take for granted you have already. I highly suggest you get on some Volusia County FB pages for special needs and see what you find out. If my child is miserable or I dont have a safe and nurturing environment to put him in..then no amount of savings will be worth that. Good Luck and keep us posted if you do move and what you experience there!

[smarino]

My wife has been working in the Volusia county schools w/ SPED children for over 3 years, and for 4 years in Las Cruces, New Mexico before this. From talking to her, I would say the schools here are a C- to a D ranking for SPED children. New Mexico, a much poorer state, actually paid her much more money, and the kids got a better education. This would seem a realistic rating based on someone that works in the schools, not a ranking from a survey. The teaching environment, for her kids anyway, is not particularly positive.

[tothehilt]

Originally Posted by FSUMike

You need to stay where you are. If you are having a hard time affording life in PA, moving to another expensive state like FL is not going to help your situation. Anyway, what are you going to do for work? Get a job before you move anywhere. Also, schools in FL are terrible.

The Florida school system may not be the best in the nation, but it most certainly outranks Alabama.

Florida Earns a C on State Report Card, Ranks 28th in Nation - Education Week

Alabama Earns a D-Plus, Finishes 45th in National Education Rankings - Education Week

Next topic. Florida's economy ranks #1 in the southeast and #7 in the United States. Alabama comes in at 46.

State economy rankings, Q1 2015 - Business Insider

All I'm saying is, if you're going to bash my beloved state. First find out if yours is doing better. Thanks.

Now, I do agree with one thing you said.

If you are having a hard time affording life in PA, moving to another expensive state like FL is not going to help your situation.

[tothehilt]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

There are all kinds of considerations for you but yet another is often the top-performing schools in terms of test scores can be very competitive and attract many kids that aren't necessarily kind to others not as "gifted". At first glance Port Orange High School might seem like a good fit because of it's academic reputation but the buzz is that it's one of those schools just described. You might check out New Smyrna Beach HS which while an "A" school is doing it through structured "Academies" that are offer special interest career training mixed with traditional academics in programs like AgriScience, Criminal Justice, Culinary Arts, Sports Marketing, Engineering and Healthcare. Good luck!

Academies - New Smyrna Beach High School

Which

Port Orange High School

are you referring to? I grew up in Port Orange and can tell you that Port Orange has two high schools. Atlantic High School & Spruce Creek High School.