St John's County K-8 schools (renting, how much, homes)

[Buffettjd]

We are considering moving to St John's County. We will have two children in middle school next year. We have some concerns over the homes that are zoned for the K-8 schools as opposed to the traditional grade 6-8 middle schools. If anyone has middle school age children in a K-8 school, can you please let me know how it compares to a traditional middle school?

For example:
Do the kids change classes every period
Are there multiple levels of the core classes like english, math, science, (below grade, grade level, honors, etc.)
Are there as many extracurricular clubs and activities
Are there as many programs in the arts such as bands, choirs, drama, etc.
Are there as many sports teams

Do the 6-8 grades in the K-8 schools start at the elementary school time? If so, how does it work for them to play after school sports against 6-8 grade schools that get out much ealier in the afternoon?

If anyone has any other information to share, I would really apprecate it. Thank you so much.

Sheri

[Ivan Putski]

We have a 2 year old so we're not quite there yet and can't answer your questions but for what it's worth, I wished that Ponte Vedra Beach had a K-8 school rather than a middle school (Landrum). I read the following article last year that talked about how traditional middle schools may be hurting kids and it made sense to me:

Traditional Middle Schools Could Actually Be Hurting Your Kids - Benefits of K

[Florida2014]

I know the stop and start times differ for the grades at the K-8 schools but unsure how much. And at least at our school their classrooms are generally grouped together so you're not going to have a bunch of 1st grade kids next to 8th graders. The upper classes do have sports teams and a number of clubs and activities.

[mav286]

Here are some links to the school district website. I would call them to answer any questions you may have pertaining to the differences between the K-8 and the Middle School. There are many.
Landrum Middle School Alice B. Landrum Middle School
Valley Ridge Academy Valley Ridge Academy
SJC School District Directory of Schools | St. Johns County School District

[Buffettjd]

Originally Posted by mav286

Here are some links to the school district website. I would call them to answer any questions you may have pertaining to the differences between the K-8 and the Middle School. There are many.
Landrum Middle School Alice B. Landrum Middle School
Valley Ridge Academy Valley Ridge Academy
SJC School District Directory of Schools | St. Johns County School District

I figured if I contact the K-8 school directly, their response will be to say that, of course they have everything the traditional middle schools have and they are just as good! LOL. I was hoping I could get an unbiased opinion from parents. Thanks though!

[sithlord72]

My two kids will be attending a K-8 school in St John's County this summer. ( we are moving down there in June), so I can't offer my opinion on K-8 schools but I'm sure others can help. That being said I would tell you to decide if you're going to pull the trigger and move id do it sooner rather then later due to the home prices going up.

I'd certainly let you know how I feel come August. I myself never attended a K-8