Coral Springs/Parkland - What do you think? (Boca Raton, Boynton Beach: crime, homes)

[Chelsa1075]

see - I think that is just wrong - I think that is the way it should be - I mean - I move to an area based on the schools and I assume that the schools in the area are based on the neighborhood and I understand that in florida that is not necessarily true. It really is bothersome, because it makes it very hard how to decide where to live. The realtor I was showing me places in LHP, but I was really discouraged when I saw the issues with the schools, but perhaps they are not as bad as one would think.

[dk22]

Like I said, I use to feel the exact way like you when it came to the school system, but I've been changing my mind lately on a few of them. I realize that once they get into higher grades and if they do take more advance classes, they are not around the students that are distracting. I was in a school like that up north. The more advanced students classroom environment is completely different than the standard classes. Outside of the classroom, it's probably more like real world than anything and I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing. I don't mind my kids interacting with a diverse group of friends. My friends kids are in high school, Pompano Beach High, right now and the school is actually very good. I honestly think there's too much fear mongering going on in this site and in the papers about school.

[kidjake28]

Originally Posted by dk22

I noticed that Lighthouse Point is building some new townhomes in our city. There is one right on Federal Highway (US1) and there's a new one a few blocks from there along 39th Street. It's a bike ride to Deerfield Beach. The city is safe and has several great parks within a walking distance and many places to eat and grocery stores nearby. If you want to know more about the city you can visit their website at www.lighthousepoint.com to learn more about the city.

Hey Thanks. I will definitely check it out.

You wouldn't happen to know the names of the townhomes/communities?

[kidjake28]

Originally Posted by Chelsa1075

Yes, this is true, but schools are not so good.

Schools aren't an issue since we'll only be vacationing there.

[kidjake28]

Originally Posted by dk22

That person is only looking for a place to visit and not to send her kids to school. I am friends with many people people in my city that attended the public schools around here and now teach at them now and they are doing just fine. School is what you make of it. The elementary school zoned for us is an A rated school and we have 3 friends that are teachers there. They all grew up in Lighthouse Point. I'm not sure about the middle school and the high school we're zone for has the IB program there. Pompano Beach High School is nearby and that is a specialized A rated school. I had the same fears as what you mentioned as well, but I realize that it's my job as a parent to keep my kids focus and busy enough not to get in trouble. I've had friends that sent their kids to St. Thomas Aquinas and he got kicked out and said drugs use at the private schools are so common. Bad is everywhere and you can't protect your children 100%.

Actually that's true for our schools here. My oldest is going to a high school that has a reputation for being a "rough" school. It turns out that it's a very good school. On the other hand there is another high school that has a good reputation but is known for a lot of drug use. I'll take the "rough" school over drugs any day.

I agree with you that it if your son/daughter can manage it, to take the more advance classes. We were considering putting our son in a lower level class seeing that it's a subject that he's going to drop after grade 10 anyways. The teacher teaching that subject convinced us not to do so on account that the calibre of the students in that level would not be a good influence on our son. Unfortunate as it is, classroom peers do have an influence on your children. They did for me!!!

[PBCboy]

Originally Posted by kidjake28

Actually that's true for our schools here. My oldest is going to a high school that has a reputation for being a "rough" school. It turns out that it's a very good school. On the other hand there is another high school that has a good reputation but is known for a lot of drug use. I'll take the "rough" school over drugs any day.

Both are just reputations though. As your other choice of school proved, there might not actually even be an issue with drugs at the other one.

[Steven Edward Brien]

lowest crime rate in the state!!!

[kidjake28]

Originally Posted by PBCboy

Both are just reputations though. As your other choice of school proved, there might not actually even be an issue with drugs at the other one.

Agreed however in this case the drugs are true. My nephew had to go to rehab

[James Edward]

The town and area is great you can not go wrong! Everything is great Restaurants school and homes

[lilred0005]

Parkland is very expensive and some feel like it is snobby. I personally feel it is the best bet. It is beautiful, lots of land, very little crime(mostly property crime), and it has a quiet classy feel. Problem is crime filled areas are all around. You could live in a good neighboorhood and have a BAD area just a few streets away. The people are rude and nasty at best. We do have a lot of bugs(Palmetto bugs, ect) but most communtities include pest control w/ your maintanance. Maintanance/HOA fees can be quite high so you have to budget that. Parkland is your best bet in Broward County. Good luck to you in your search.To the poster mentioning St. Thomas Aquinas High, I graduated from there and had a great experience. It is expensive but you are really prepared for college. Plus they don't take ANY bad behavior. You act out, have drugs on you, are disrespectful, they don't hesitate to kick you out! I think this is great as there is much less b.s. to deal with , you can concentrate on school. And as far as drugs, it is So. Fla. drugs are unfortunatly everywhere. At least private schools will kick those kids out. Take care, lil red