best public school in VA Beach (Norfolk: townhouse, neighborhoods, best school)

[eatompkins]

Is John B Dey Elementary/Great Neck Middle/Cox High the best school district in VA Beach? On paper it's standardized test scores look great. But does anyone have any first hand experience with the district? We have a big family and want to move to the VA Beach neighborhood with the best public schools.

[Ryleigh]

I don't know about the elementary/middle schools, but Cox High School is a desirable school district to live in. Those neighborhoods can be pricey though.

[rsavb]

Yes those are the better schools, and by the way they are located in the "nicer" area of town. Most of the schools in VB are good/great. And yes, it is very very pricey in the Great Neck section.

[bumkin]

I hear that Princess Anne HS is good as well...(one of my close friends went there). Cox HS is very good but the neighborhoods are VERY expensive! I'm not too sure about the elementary schools though...

[LMH7707]

Originally Posted by eatompkins

Is John B Dey Elementary/Great Neck Middle/Cox High the best school district in VA Beach? On paper it's standardized test scores look great. But does anyone have any first hand experience with the district? We have a big family and want to move to the VA Beach neighborhood with the best public schools.

Hi there to find out about our local schools just visit our local website...

www.vbschools.com

In my opinion, Kellam HS is the better school. Landstown Middle is very good too, and Christopher Farms Elementary is GREAT! Be of luck!

[jenypeny]

Here is a great website that was given to me.....

www.schoolmatters.com

[Lethal_Poison]

Originally Posted by eatompkins

Is John B Dey Elementary/Great Neck Middle/Cox High the best school district in VA Beach? On paper it's standardized test scores look great. But does anyone have any first hand experience with the district? We have a big family and want to move to the VA Beach neighborhood with the best public schools.

Please make sure you are wealthy before putting your children in these schools. Most housing that goes to these schools is very high priced already, but there are a few pockets of working class people that happen to go there.

I used to stay in a townhouse off Reagan Avenue for about 3 months when I went to middle school (Great Neck), and they made my life a living hell. Every kid there has the best and newest everything, and if your kid doesnt, he/she will stick out like a sore thumb, and will get ribbed endlessly or just simply shunned on a good day. Its not like its just the "popular kids" or the handful of big mouthed rich kids, like in most schools. Pretty much everyone is in the "big mouthed rich kids" club, and you will never crack that without material well being.

Ive been to both poor, ghetto schools, and Cox district schools, and I seriously cant tell you which is worse, living in fear every day you go to school, or going through the whole snoody rich outcast deal.

So, academically, yeah that district is elite, and the education is good. Unfortunatley, with my experience, I was driven to faking sick and trying to skip school so often trying to avoid the ridicule, that I didnt really get a chance to experience it much. You should keep this in mind before making a decision.

Alternatively, both Princess Anne and First Colonial are excellent academic high schools, and have a more diverse student body.

[clodhopper]

I'm an FC grad and of course I think it's the best. Both my folks were public school teachers so while I wasn't hurting I certainly didn't drive a new car...my brother and sister and I borrowed my Pop's '74 suburban (this was in the mid 80's)....what I'm trying to say is don't let having to rub elbows with rich folks keep your kids from receiving a great education. Teach your kids to be proud of who they are....there are plenty minority kids, etc., who will be from very lean backgrounds. For what it is worth the real wealthy kids all go to Cape Henry Collegiate or Norfolk Academy, they wouldn't be caught dead slumming with public school trash, LOL!

The schools in Va. Bch are some of the best public schools to be found anywhere in the Southeast, if not the country.

[shellytc]

cox school district are very sought after, but I agree with the poster who said to check out kellam high school district (includes Princess Anne Middle, Princess Anne elem., christopher farms elem., strawbridge elem, etc) as they are very sought after as well and there is affordable housing in the district. Go to www.greatschools.net and do some school comparisons.

if you Moderator cut: Realtor solicitation

[carolynpt]

I'm a former Cox Grad, and yes, those schools are some of the best in the county. Great Neck neighborhoods are some of the best as well, as I practically grew up there. Christopher Farms/Kellam is also a nice school and some well to do neighborhoods around there. I also have very good words for Catholic High School, as this is a private school, but some great kids/teachers there. Star of the Sea catholic schools is wonderful, too. Also take a look at Princess Anne Elementary, down there near the Courthouse, which is also good.