Friendliest junior and high school in Lexington?

[scorpgrl11]

Craig,

Wow... I don't even know where to begin to respond to your, well, attack, really. That's the only word that fits here.

I so appreciate you being a complete stranger yet thinking you know me enough to definitively know my subtext, how I parent, and how much 'control' I'm asserting over my child. Thank you so much for that.

I only meant to point this out to you: I am not a moron. Your advice is great for someone just getting to the party. My daughter's weight has been a constant for some time now. I dress all of my children in flattering clothes, haircuts, etc. My husband and I are both Ph.D.s. We're not fools and do have some common sense. (And just an FYI, it's tiresome for someone to make such a flip suggestion, "Oh, just have them drop some weight before school." Oh, gosh... do ya think? I'd never thought of that!)

Apparently my use of the word "we" was just tremendously upsetting to you. I hate that for you. Let me see if I can explain this to you: In our family, we see ourselves as a team. We work together to help one another grow, be the best we can be, and problem solve. So, yes, *we* have sought the advice of specialists, and *we* have all made the decision to eat healthy. It is not something I'm controlling for my daughter. She is a participant in the choices made to help her navigate this health issue. If I were controlling her and her choices, I'd have said *I* did those things. I feel certain you can see the difference in the word choice.

Of course I hope for the best in terms of the relocation. However, I didn't just arrive on the relocation bus yesterday. I've had some experience in this area. I've had to relocate a number of times for jobs. This isn't my first rodeo. And I am well aware that choosing a neighborhood--and by extension a school--is a critical piece of the transition going well. I take my responsibility as a parent seriously. And since my kids are being moved through no fault or decision of their own, I do want to try to choose a place where they have the best chance at success.

Our last location... No, I wouldn't say my kids had "failure" there. We never had anything escalate to the point that we needed to approach the school, etc. It was simply not a place where kids were very tolerant of differences. I would like to avoid that.

I was speaking from the standpoint of an educator within the system when I said that stuff wasn't enforced. That's not me being "catastrophic" btw. That's the data talking. If you look at the national data, research, and survey input, you'd know that teachers and administrators alike report that despite such legislation much bullying goes on that is not addressed by schools. (But again, SO appreciate the characterization of a complete stranger on your part. Excellent.)

I don't think that's an unreasonable or reactive response. I don't know how often you've had to relocate your family; I don't really know anything about you. (And unlike you, I'm not going to try to pretend that I do or that I can make a bunch of assumptions about you based on your verbiage.) But this will be the third state in which they've attended school. (My older child attended in four.) Sometimes we've lucked into neighborhoods--and by extension, schools--where things were fine, even great. This last time, not so much.

My children have numerous delightful traits and characteristics. However, at their last school, that was not enough for a lot of their peers. No one could get past the weight issues for my daughter. My middle child had no issues, but had few friends. (My gay child did not identify as gay at that time, so that was not an issue whatsoever.)

I'm sorry that my proactive nature is too "controlling" for you.

You have provided me with useful information, however. I definitely want to avoid your neighborhood if your neighbors are anything like you: people who take a SMIDGE of information, think they know you, and then make leaps of logic best reserved for a Nike commercial.

Craig, I think you and I are done talking.

But I certainly look forward to other posters' information and input.

[CraigCreek]

I am sorry you took my suggestions so negatively. I think your response speaks for itself, and have no intentions of responding to your posts in the future.

Best wishes to you and your family, especially your children.

[scorpgrl11]

Thanks! I appreciate it! I've heard good things about Lafayette. They have an arts program or something there as well, right?

Originally Posted by Crazee Cat Lady

That's a great question! And I agree it's every bit as important as the Academic Progress and Testing a School
Makes. (I only have one child, a Son who is in college - he went to Jessie Clark Middle School (hated it) and Lafayette
High School (No complaints there) although they have police stationed at Lafayette (makes me wonder about the safety -
but maybe all H.S.'s have that nowadays? I am not sure. My son never had any problems but he is Geek (and proud of it! lol)
and very academic minded.) I have heard lots of great stuff about Dunbar.

[scorpgrl11]

They all did in the Austin and surrounding areas, too. It wasn't necessarily indicative of anything specific to the campus. I would assume it works the same way here.

Originally Posted by Take My Advice

All of the high schools have security present.

[Crazee Cat Lady]

Yes, Lafayette is also home of Scapa (School of creative and Performing Arts) for Fayette County. If your teen
is into arts of any kind, it would be a great choice. My Son never really had any problems there. It's a very culturally
diverse school also.