Want to move from CR210 to East hampton, but Schools?? (Twin Lakes: 2009, school district)

[REKA210]

We live on CR210 and want to move to southside/Baymeadows area preferably to East Hampton community. The reason being, we want to move closer to my husband's work place and all the activities the area has to offer.

My son will be going to kindergarten in 2009. The schools are Very very IMPORTANT for us. If we move to southside/baymeadows area, he will be going to Twin Lakes Academy elementary. If we live on CR210, he will be going to Timberlin Creek Elementary.

We heard thru friends that Timberlin Creek Elementary school is really great. We have no idea about Twin Lakes elementary school. How is Twin Lakes elementary (duval) compared to Timberlin Creek Elementary (st.johns county)?

Our biggest fear is are we moving from really good school to an average school and would it be a mistake. Please advise.

[Karla with a K]

Both of the Twin Lakes schools are grade "A" schools and have been for 6 years

[REKA210]

Thx for the reply. I read in the school reports that Twin Lakes is An "A" school . But how is the school in general? any bullying? how are the teachers in the school? I just want to know how the overall environment is. Does anybody sent their kids to Twin Lakes Academy Elementary School? If so, please advise.

[Ryde41]

You will get varied opinions of the school. Why don't you go to the school and sit in the office for one hour. You can learn a lot in an hour. See the interactions between the students and staff. Peek into a classroom and look at the class size compared to Timberlin Creek. East Hampton is nice. It also offers a private school about two miles up the street on your right.

[Karla with a K]

I don't have kids, but I have taught a special "butterfly garden" program there 1 day a week for the past 3 years.
the principal is very involved and when we met with her at the beginning of the year you couldn't help but catch her energy.
The library has a "media" center where the students broadcast the morning announcements via video.
I have also noticed there are a lot of family themed events there also seems to be a good amount of parent involvement

Some of the classes have a co-teach where you will have 2 teachers and maybe 28 students.
Other classes that have 1 teacher have 20-23 students.
I have never been in the school and seen students running around the halls like hellions.

When we have our JR MG meeting and talk about our schools the other teachers have often said they wish they were at TL

[JagFan27]

Originally Posted by REKA210

Thx for the reply. I read in the school reports that Twin Lakes is An "A" school . But how is the school in general? any bullying? how are the teachers in the school? I just want to know how the overall environment is. Does anybody sent their kids to Twin Lakes Academy Elementary School? If so, please advise.

Twin Lakes has all of the problems and good teachers as any other elementary in St. Johns County.
About the only difference between schools is the students who attend.
I honestly am tired of hearing how one school district is better than another and how Duval County Schools are horrible. There are good and bad teachers in every school, in every county. The only difference is the student population.
One county does not have all of the "good" teachers and another county has all of the "bad" teachers.

[riveree]

Originally Posted by JagFan27

Twin Lakes has all of the problems and good teachers as any other elementary in St. Johns County.
About the only difference between schools is the students who attend.
I honestly am tired of hearing how one school district is better than another and how Duval County Schools are horrible. There are good and bad teachers in every school, in every county. The only difference is the student population.
One county does not have all of the "good" teachers and another county has all of the "bad" teachers.

Bravo JagFan27!

[Karla with a K]

I am also sending bravos to jagfan27

I have seen teachers who really get involved and those that just show up.
Parental support is also important in schools.

[jmc]

I will say that I know of a family who took their boys out of Twin Lakes and went to a private school. I think their son had had multiple teachers within one year or something like that. It wasn't a good situation for their child. Maybe that was just an isolated case there, but I personally prefer Timberlin Creek. I have substitute taught there many times, and it's a wonderful school. Not only that, but once you hit the high school that Twin Lakes feeds into, I don't think it's considered an A school. Just my two cents worth.

[Ryde41]

The feeder high school is rated "D" with less than 50% graduation rate. Last nights shooting brings the number of students shot dead this year to five I think. High School private school costs around $17,000(with books) per year per child. Its nice to live where school is free and safe.