catskill, cairo, info? (Babylon, Albany, Clifton Park: skateboarding, houses, buy)

[skyblupink]

Anyone know what these towns are like, how are the schools do they have honors, special ed (speech + inclusion class aide for refocusing add) and laid back nice teachers? We were in Greenville recently and love the area but preferably for commute are looking towards Catskill and Cairo. Thanks.

[jfkIII]

Schools are not great. But since my step-kids have graduated (from Catskill)...I don't really keep up with it. Depending on the ages, and the LI life style...they could think it to be extremely boring here.

[skyblupink]

Thanks, I dont mind so-so schools "test grade" wise but value good kind kids and teachers. I think its partly up to the parent and child how well they test. I was worried one son age 14 - 85 avg but requires an individiual aide, may be sent out to boces. He never has gotten into trouble or detention, he just needs refocusing and I think he would do well with just a class aide given the small class sizes, (and guess that his current school prob doesnt want to fire her, shes very nice but I dont think he still needs too much help.) The 12 yr old also needs an aide but is on the honor roll and tested high so will be taking the SAT, and be eligible for summer enrichment, which he can do upstate too. Recently we stayed at Baumanns Brookside in Greenville and the 14 year old (who usually stays in on his computer) said it was better than Disney. Thank god for that we hated Disney and Universal and would not mind never going to big theme parks ever again.

As for LI lifestyle we have always wanted to go remote, we used to travel east often to walk in the woods and camp upstate and NH and VT when we could. Both me and DH are not into all the commercialization, chain stores and restaurants we can live without, we want to grow our own food or buy local or organically grown things. My dh worked in manhattan but hated the commute, now has disability - MS so we are relocating to save on expenses and want to be in the cold.

[D&T]

Hi! My children go to Catskill Schools, and we are pleased with what they have to offer. IMO it is worth taking the time to call and ask any questions you have, and possibly visit the district so you can see what it is like in real life.

As long as you play an active role in your child's schooling, you should have a positive experience.

HTH some!

[jfkIII]

one other thing...LI is known for huge schools with lots of resources (and for which higher school taxes are paid.) Up here, school districts are quite small and may combine with other districts for such things like handicap accessibility (as an example). My graduating class from North Babylon High School was 750 in 1975. Up here, the graduating classes are huge if they have 100 in them! Less kids and less taxes sometimes means less services, education-wise...or further to travel for them. The school systems up here cannot quite compare to LI...except maybe Shenendahowa (Clifton Park...which is really LI moved north.) Bigger schools and better/more services can be found up in districts near Albany.

Sportwise, our small schools are Class C sports schools. Some do not field football teams. Very different from LI schools.

If you liked Greenville, please be aware that they have a school district there...similar in class-size and services to Catskill and Cairo, and quite typical of Class C schools here in upstate. Catskill now has only one elementary school. A bus ride there could be painfully long for a child living on the Catskill-Cairo border (Catskill SD encompasses a very large property area.) Cairo might be a little larger, and they have more schools, as they are combination school district of two towns...Cairo and Durham. Their high school is much newer than Catskill's...which might actually date back to the 1920's(?) when it was the complete K-12 school.

Libraries up here are also quite inadequate compared to what you may have down there. But then again, our taxes are very much less than LI. Basically, you get what you pay for.

[skyblupink]

Originally Posted by D&T

Hi! My children go to Catskill Schools, and we are pleased with what they have to offer. IMO it is worth taking the time to call and ask any questions you have, and possibly visit the district so you can see what it is like in real life.

As long as you play an active role in your child's schooling, you should have a positive experience.

HTH some!

Thanks everyone, we are going up to visit during the week. They both seem really great, Im favoring Catskill so far with the AClub!

[mbjjbtb]

Sorry I didn't see this before. Don't rule out the Cairo-Durham School district just yet. Our sons have been in accelerated programs and there is quite a bit to offer now, including football for those who can't live without it. You need to look at the schools first. The most important thing is having parents who stay involved. There are some of the best teachers I have seen anywhere and don't know how we are able to keep them sometimes, but I am greatful.

[skyblupink]

Originally Posted by mbjjbtb

Sorry I didn't see this before. Don't rule out the Cairo-Durham School district just yet. Our sons have been in accelerated programs and there is quite a bit to offer now, including football for those who can't live without it. You need to look at the schools first. The most important thing is having parents who stay involved. There are some of the best teachers I have seen anywhere and don't know how we are able to keep them sometimes, but I am greatful.

thanks mb, we drove by them last weekend and called one of them, they are very nice. also talked to a realtor who is also sub who works there. she was really helpful with a ton of info. they also had a lot of info on their website. i saw durham elem had great test scores and the cairo-d was pretty good too.

[Futcha]

I love Catskill, especially downtown and near the bridge and playground on the river. Beautiful. The elem. school was nice looking, brand new. But I have heard about a couple gangs in the high school from a police officer. Doubt there something to worry about... It's not Harlem there. Athens is a village you should also look into. We contacted another police officer in Athens and he said the worst calls they get is about kids skateboarding on the road... No gangs, just a nice, waterfront village.

I know this because we almost bought houses in these places, but decided to stick with Scarsdale and NYC.

[jfkIII]

Yes, there are gangs...and drugs, too! Don't forget...Catskill is the home of the heavyweight fighter/criminal Mike Tyson, who went to Catskill High (and I believe was expelled.)