[captlemons]

Hi Everyone

We are a english family looking to move to Florida (Vero Beach area) from France later in the year, we have two children age 10 and 8, currently in an international/french school.

My query if anyone would be kind enough to help is how does the american school system work? what school do i need to be looking for ie middle school, high school etc, and what is the criteria for being accepted into a school, do you have to live in a catchment of the school, or can you choose which school you would prefer them to go regardles of where you may live, do they have to pass an entrance exam etc etc i am a total novice sorry, i have tried to do a search and have found good information on the local Vero schools both public and private but i could do with a little local knowledge as to how we go about applying etc

Plus if anyone has any recomendadtions of schools in vero that would be great to

Many thanks in advance

kx

[runswithscissors]

Public school in the US is governed by local School Districts with elected officials supervising them [the SCHOOL BOARD] and uniform standards exist. Each district is sort of independent usually by county in most places for all intents and purposes, and when you have an issue or concern you can escalate it beyond the local school personel to the board.

Special needs whether it be for "handicaps" or "gifted" are managed by school boards to ensure federal laws of the US are being followed. As such, if your child has any issues, it's the responsibilities of the public school system to determine the issue (testing), and come up with a plan called an IEP , an individual child's plan. For example accelerated classes for gifted students or special test taking methodology if for example a student is found to not test well by written tests due to a developmental problem etc. The range is broad from a minor problem to a severe handicap.

This is not uniform in a private school over here so for that reason I mention it. Some students do much better in public schools if there are resources they can utilize. Private schools make up their OWN rules and standards. Also sometimes over here, if you attend a private school there is a small limited pool of potential friends so that can be an issue. Public school is the opposite a large pool of kids including "problem kids" but
your kids have a broader diverse group to choose from AND usually their friends will live closer. In the neighborhood. Both types of schools have merit.

If your children require public transportation to and from school, this is arranged by the school and they will give you the schedule and rules. Ask about that too.

I just moved to Vero also. I have no young kids but I DO have a great real estate agent who is very professional and knows alot and tells it to you straight.... AND she's from France LOL.

Give her a call or send an email. She may be in France right now, as a matter of fact. I think her partner might have kids here she's younger. Linda.

Mod Deleted

Alternatively, for public school, just call the school district: 772-364-3000 they work all summer in my experience in another state. Yes there will be requirements for showing documents of residence to start, I'm sure. and likely to be some basic testing for placement I'd imagine. And each district has different cut off points and even different school schedules depending on the county so it's best to get the entire rundown from them.

Hopefully someone here knows more but this will get you started.


edited to add: schools here can be grade 1-5 or 1-6 or 1-8 or 5-7 or 6-9 or 7-9 ha ha ....it all depends on the state and county. some counties here actually have school all year round (or almost).

Also it is unlikely your children will be given French in public school at age 8,10 but I may be mistaken. I attended private school here with classes in French and transferred to public in grade 10 and was well beyond the grade 12 class level so I had to take Spanish. If you are living in Florida learning Spanish is not a bad idea for the children in fact living anywhere now, bilingual employment is a whole other world for people when they start working and can be more lucrative.

[runswithscissors]

By the way if you speak with Monette feel free to tell her the "tenant from down the street from Pennsylvania" referred you. I'd be happy to help you out over here with the ways of the US lol. (we live on the same block) or send me a direct message on this site but I only come here off and on.

[captlemons]

Thank you for taking the time to reply, thats a great help i shall certainly contact the agent.

[captlemons]

Oh nearly forgot, can you let me have her details, and i can contact her, thanks

[runswithscissors]

Hi I sent you the information via direct message on this board.