[auswes]

We are considering moving to Florida with 2 children 9,13. We presently love the town we live in, hate the weather. We live in CT in a town with about 5000 people. One elementary school and a regional middle and high school. Any chance of finding a similar town near the gulf. We vacationed in Cape Coral and loved the houses on the canals, but to live there seems a bit big. Any chance of a house on water or canal, but still small with great schools. THanks!

[dimarc48]

We just moved from a suburb of Philadelphia to a town called Lakewood Ranch. If you are looking for good schools you are in the wrong state, trust me.

I have 4 and 5 yr old and unless you want to pay for private schools, you may want to look elsewhere. The state guidelines for what children should know after each grade is a joke. My son already has learned (in North East schools) what they are saying he should know by the end of the year and almost all of what he should know by the end of next year.

When we moved here people told us the education system was bad, so we looked for GREAT Florida schools, GREAT Florida schools = sub par North East schools. I am sorry to be blunt or hurt the feelings of Floridians (they are very very nice people), but sometimes the truth hurts

[FLBob]

You may want to look into Punta Gorda for the small town you are looking for, as for the schools I suggest doing your research. I don't have kids in schools but I hear good and bad. The good is that some people that have relocated to the area are presently surprised, their kids were challenged.
The schools and the children are tested and graded.

The bad is typified by comments like dimarc48 entry above.

Each school will have a presence on the web, most have the educators listed and their educational background. I've toured schools and have been impressed with many of the educators I've met.

Another small town is Venice, FL you won't have the canal property like Cape Coral or Punta Gorda but you will have plenty of beach access, and a strong sense of community.

Venice is in Sarasota county and one of the Charter Schools here is Pine View which is ranked highly on a national level.

Venice also has the Island Village Montessori School which is a charter school for pre-school through Middle.

The Venice Elementary, Middle, and High schools all score well on the FCAT scoring system

[SoFLGal]

If your looking for a great school system you should look into Sarasota county. I have two children that go to Pine View School in Osprey. It is constantly rated as the number one school in the state and one of the top in the Nation. We couldn't be more pleased with the education our children are getting and this is a public school. My oldest has attended Pine View for the last 8 years and my middle child has been there for 5 years.

The town of Osprey where Pine View is located is very small and low-key. I don't know what your budget is but you might be able to snag a foreclosure on the water at a decent price.

Good luck with your search!

[RVlover]

Look into The Panhandle on the Gulf. Far cheaper homes and lots of 5000 population towns. Its too hot further down than The Panhandle in Florida and busier. Strong values system in the Panhandle...more than anywhere else in Fla. -- you need that for your kids if nothing else.