Parkland SD question - is it too big for kids from a small town?

[ceogozay]

Well, we had decided to take our time searching for a home and wait for the right opportunity. We were focused on Southern Lehigh, and also looked at some homes in Upper Bucks county in Palisades SD.

As fate would have it, a home came on the market in Bethlehem Twp. that had all the features we needed and wanted in a home. We have made an offer on the home, and are waiting to hear from the seller.

This home is in Bethlehem SD. It is very close to Notre Dame and Moravian Academy. I have done some research on both ND and Moravian Academy. Moravian is expensive, but it looks awesome. If we are successful on our bid for the home in Bethlehem, we explore both options further. I am also not completely opposed to Bethlehem SD Some exposure to a diverse population and peoples might be good for my children. The district also has a signficant number of AP courses, and co-enrollment with Lehigh. It is comforting to know that many quality private school options exist if the public school is not a good fit.


Now to answer some of the questions from the kinds folks who responded-

My children are qualified gifted with gifted IEPs.

The "lack of homes" available in Southern Lehigh I commented on referred to the lack of new listings coming on to the market. We had some very specific features we were looking for in a home, and we were having a tough time finding the "just right" home. We were OK with getting a bit less home for the money in SL SD.

Regarding my chilren participating in athletics - I think the value in athletics is not in the game, but the teamwork and values children can gain in a good program. I made some great friends playing sports in HS.

Thanks to all for the help! Any opinions on Bethlehem schools would be welcome.

[vapama]

I live in BASD, but my kids are still young, this is just what I've heard from moms of older kids.

If your kids are in the upper track of classes at BASD (which they will if they are giften), and stay involved, they will be fine and have great college options--top graduates from Liberty and Freedom get into great schools. And students with talent in music or sports often have an "in" as new kids, since their team or band or whatever ends up being their social/peer group. There is a commenter on here who is very supportive of BASD--maybe he will pop up and give you his opinion.

A friend strongly encouraged AGAINST Moravian. He said the teachers are used to kids who know everything already--they don't really teach or push kids . . . and that he felt teachers had low expectations of his son because he was a sports standout. But that's just one guy--something to remember on these boards--we are not at all a representative sample. Moravian Academy has a bit of a snooty reputation around town and a price tag to back it up.