Schools/Family life in New Orleans.

[angerdux]

Originally Posted by Dr. Foosball

I have recently graduated with a teaching degree and I am being approached by the New Orleans Recovery School District.

First: Would it be wise to move my family with two young daughters to New Orleans where I will be making a low income teaching? Is it safe?

Second: Would it be a good idea to work for the Recovery School District of New Orleans?

I live in NW Arkansas right now. Any help/advice is appreciated.

You do not want your children in an Orleans Parish school. Even the magnet schools are substandard. Also, the city is deceptively expensive: rent, food, cost of living, cost of private school. If you were alone, I'd say try it, but with kids--no. I would not move down here for an Orleans Parish school teacher's salary, especially with children. And I love this city! So...this is very heart-felt advice.

[cassarina]

Dr.Foosball I would recommend you live in Metaire and take the job in the recovery school district.
A home in the Alice Birney or Grace King school district would be very safe. I worked at a school in Jefferson Parish where my children attended, and when I had a student suspened he threatned one of my children. When your children are school age they could attend on of the great schools on the East Bank of Jefferson Parish. Jefferson Parish School System has put most of it's money into the schools in white areas. The Dandrige desegration order is changing that. So schools that are falling down will be getting fixed in Jeffeson Parish. Orleans has never cared about the schools because the system was 90 percent black after the "white flight" of the 60's due to integration. Katrina has been the BEST THING that has happened to the school system. Missylyn's experience is rare. Blacks are not mad about the past, they are mad about the present **** that they go through. She should read some books by Tim Wise. I would NOT work in Central City or Hollygrove,but anywhere else should be ok. Also consider teaching elementary.

[From NOLA To Anchorage]

I am a teacher and I have two children. St. Charles Parish (Luling, Destrehan, Boutte) would be about a 30-45 min communte into NOLA. I have worked with schools in the RSD and that is about what it takes me to drive it and I live in Luling. St. Charles Parish has some of the best schools in the state, very family/community friendly, and the rent is much cheaper than Metairie and NOLA. We rent a 3 bedroom that is approximately 2000 sq ft for $1200/month where as in Metairie it would have cost us about $2200/month. You are still close enough to the city to have shopping and nightlife, but with that small town community atmosphere. Also, the people in St. Charles Parish are extremely kind, funny, and helpful. Also, RSD does not require you to live in NOLA.