Miami area Schools (Palmetto, Century: crime, home, private schools)

[southfan123]

Hello, I'm new to the forum. I'm wondering what school systems (public) around Miami area are considered to be the best. Suburbs, etc are OK. Thanks.

[lulu]

I can't answer cause I don't have kids, a couple my friends have their kids in private schools. I went to the public school system here but that was a looong time ago. Maybe, someone can help you here.

[southfan123]

Anyone have any info concerning schools within commute to Miami?

[bale002]

If you really love your children, make every material sacrifice reasonably possible to send them to private school.

[BigJimSlade]

I went to public school in Miami from 1986-1995 (high school graduation). Let me tell you, it was really scary. When I visited my cousins for a week and toured their high school in Fairax County, VA, I thought I died and went to heaven.

It would be a lie to say that there aren't teachers who care. I would say 1 out of every 8 of my teachers wasn't either hating life or completely worthless. I saw principals get knocked unconcious, people chasing my school bus waving guns, tables thrown down stairwells at other kids and lots of drugs. Mind you, I have never even been drunk in my life, so this is what I saw as an outsider. The only way to avoid most of this was to never make eye contact with people and stay in the honors classes. The classes where you might interract with the bad groups of kids (P.E., woodshop, etc.), well, take those classes over the Summer when their uncarring parents let them run wild.

I can't tell you which area is the best because kids are bussed in from many miles away to good schools to make them all pretty scary. The high school I heard the fewest problems about was Palmetto. It is East of US1 and South of Dadeland. For real though, move to another part of the state. The happiest day of my life was when I left Miami.

I'd say 95% of my friends from high school have also left Miami (by choice) and will probably never go back permanately.

[sergio]

I absolutely agree with you. Miami is a toilet!! I moved away 6 months ago and have never been happier. I feel sorry for all the close minded people that live there and dont think they could ever live anywhere else. I will never go back for anything but to visit my family. Good Riddance!!

[sunrico90]

Here are the links to the Miami Dade county website: http://www2.dadeschools.net/index.htm

Info on crime:Moderator cut: linking to competitors sites is not allowed

Info on greater Miami Chamber of Commerce: Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce :: Live, Work And Play :: Relocation Guide

Miami Dade County police crime report: http://www.miamidade.gov/mdpd/Press_Releases/2006_crime_stats.asp (broken link)

All of this will provide information, you need to call or e-mail and ask the questions or concerns that you have. I don't live in the area, so I rather provide you the source of information. Good luck....

[bale002]

How can anyone think that the "official" sources of information on Miami schools are anything but propaganda?

The truth about Miami schools is reflected, among other things, in a program "officials" are promoting to attract potential English, math and science teachers, including those without academic "qualifications" but with real life experience, which is probably a good thing, but they offer a salary of something like $35,000.

Now, I could see it if the place of work were within walking distance of one's place of residence. But on top of offering a salary that barely makes a dint in the real cost of living, these "officials" reserve the right to send candidates to any district that they want to. So even a possible idealistic retiree wouldn't do it. Who would voluntarily torture himself in Miami traffic and possibly risk his life for the mere pittance of $35,000 a year?

It is clear they are joking and that this program is a propaganda tool.

Private school or home schooling is the only serious option.

[SunnyDog]

I went to Dade County Public Schools. Like many big city public school systems, 10% of the schools are good and the rest either are average or suck. The schools I went to here were the good ones, I imagine if you went to Edison or Northwestern you got a different view. The top 10% of the class I graduated in went to mostly top 1-2 tier colleges, most the teachers were OK. It really depends on the district you're in.

I personally can't vouch for private school or home schooling. Street smarts and learning how to fight and fend for yourself are just as important as book smarts.

[bale002]

Originally Posted by SunnyDog

I went to Dade County Public Schools. Like many big city public school systems, 10% of the schools are good and the rest either are average or suck.

Fair enough.

Originally Posted by SunnyDog

I personally can't vouch for private school or home schooling. Street smarts and learning how to fight and fend for yourself are just as important as book smarts.

Agreed, then, that the two are hardly mutually exclusive and in fact they are complementary.

The point is, in my view, that the concept of compulsory public school education, which became the norm in the early industrialized countries coming into the Twentieth Century, has by now run its course: being mass educated today is analogous to being a simple agricultural worker in pre-industrial times.

Yes, ten percent of the schools may offer superior quality as compared to the rest, just as ten percent of farmers' sons in pre-industrial times actually had the opportunity to learn to read and write.

About two thousand years ago Marcus Aurelius wrote, "dispense with the schools, have good masters at home instead, spare no expense for this purpose."

That advice has come full circle now.