Do you have kids in Van Wyck or John Jay in Wappingers School District? (New Rochelle: affordable house)

[am87288]

For anyone living in Fishkill, East Fishkill, Hopewell...in Dutchess
I've heard alot of mixed messages about Van Wyck and John Jay HS - we live in the area and these are the schools my kids will go to. The mixed messages have me wondering if I should research other school districts to move into. We value education and what I really need to know - preferably from parents with kids in the schools or from former students -
Is there a sense of community?
Are students encouraged to attend 4 year colleges?
How bad is the overcrowding?
How are the teachers?
Are there fights regularly? Do you ever worry for safety?
Anything else, any personal experiences that you think would help me make a decision?
Thanks!

[CampingMom]

Oh I can write you a BOOK on both places as 2 of my kids have been through Van Wyck and both now in the high school!

Here's some answers to you questions-
Is there a sense of community?
No. At both schools they aren't very welcome to parental involvement. At Van Wyck-you can't go anywere in that building unless it's guidance or the nurse-even for teacher's meetings you have to be physically escorted by a monitor to it. The dress code is for the birds too.

Are students encouraged to attend 4 year colleges?
There's VERY little guidance at all. We just got done with the college selection stuff. It's ALL left up to you-except your child had better know by Dec.1st what schools they want to apply to-that's the deadline set by guidance so they can get everything together to send out. And they'll push the "school of the year"-this year was SUNY Canton-because the GC's went there on a tour. Last year was SUNY Cortland. Other GC's push the kids to go to the colleges they went to. And heaven forbid you child wants to attend a school down south-they really put them down.

Overcrowding-it's a nightmare at both schools. Van Wyck has a strip painted down the hallway for crowd management. If the kids are caught over it-detention. There are stairs labeled up or down only. Honors classes typically have 35-39 kids in them. At Jay, the kids have to walk outside to get to classes since the halls are way too congested. Again, over crowded classes. Or AP's that get wait listed since there are so many kids that want it and can't get in unless a student drops it(in the first week).

How are the teachers?

I find that there's a huge lack of communication. They all seem to think that 12-18 year olds should be in full control and parents aren't welcome. If your student is failing-be prepared that you'll rarely hear about it-unless it's the report cards or progress reports-they usually come in the 7th week or later in a quarter. And you'll NEVER hear from them in emails-even though they ask you for all ways to contact you-it's a joke.

As to fights, yes there are quite a few-read the Southern Dutchess News every Wednesday to see the East Fishkill Police reports. The biggest problems are drugs and theft. Heroin is big at the school-always problems across the street that the plaza with it and other drugs. You kids lockers in the gym are easy prey to theft-it's very easy to break the locks and get Ipods, cell phones, cash, etc. Even the clothes get stolen.

Sorry, I can't give you a bright picture about either. And I went to both schools myself graduating in 83. The schools are slowly becoming what New Rochelle was 10 years ago-that's what Mr. Tobin told me about what he's been dealing with. We are not sending our third to either-hopefully we'll be out of NY by then. Wappingers doesn't put any money into the schools and they are falling apart. But you should know that as a resident already. The sewage is backing up badly into the bathroom by the cafeteria at Jay and the kids have to eat lunch smelling that-you get overpowered by it going to the nurses office.

[am87288]

That sounds really bad. I know the master plan was voted down, is there any talk of other improvements in next year's budget?

Do you know anything about Arlington? I've heard it's good but also noticed it listed as a school in need of improvement w/ title 1 funding.
?????

Thanks for your help.

[metropolistraffic]

Are there fights regularly? Do you ever worry for safety?

The worst fights were three years ago when there was blood all over the main lobby. Knifes were present, and guys were attacking girls, and girls were attacking guys.

However, those kids graduated.

Oh, and there was supposedly another incident in one of the halls. Blood was all over the lockers. A knife was involved, too?

Or that is at least what I heard..

[am87288]

Has anyone out there had good experiences with Van Wych or John Jay?

[AmbassadorNY]

I've never heard stories like this before... every school has "crazys" in it, but let's be serious.... it also depends on whether or not your child "fits in" or associates with such nuisances. FYI, East Fishkill is amongst the highest demanded townships in Dutchess County.... I doubt it's because of all the "violence" going on in teh schools. If that were true, it wouldn't be so hard to find an affordable house in the area. Perhaps read the first poster's response more objectively. I'm not trying to be rude, but one or 2 stories doesn't make up an entire district. Anyone who feels that way should just go private or perhaps one might want to join a monistary. Just trying to shed some humor on the situation. I'm a Realtor for 8 years in Dutchess and no, I've never had a single person say "I dont want East Fishkill, the schools are bad." (hahaha) East Fishkill/Wappingers Schools are just F-I-N-E. Many high end homes with parents who are strict on their children.... I guess it depends on who you ask. (Just my 2 cents)