Rockland County Schools (New York, Ramapo, Nanuet: low income, renting, house)

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by havoc315

Nyack is an interesting school district. A few years ago, it was held up as a model of a school district that was making diversity work. It has a relatively large minority population, and has maintained decent test scores, without having major "white flight."

In comparison, East Ramapo was very diverse 20 years ago, but from the late 80's to late 90's, it experienced total "white flight," leaving the schools with a student body that tended to be mostly minority, and mostly lower class. In fact, I just read that East Ramapo is closing 1 or 2 of its elementary schools, due to the shrinking student body since the 1980's. The population of East Ramapo isn't shrinking -- Just the amount of people using the public schools.

The problem with Nyack's success--- I remember a few years ago, an article exposing that the "model of diversity" was largely achieved by segregation within the school itself.

This might be the article I was talking about:
Racial Gap in Schools Splits A Town Proud of Diversity - The New York Times

Overall, Nyack lacks the prestige of Clarkstown, Pearl River, and South Orangetown. It might be just as good as, or 1 step below, Nanuet and Ramapo.
I don't think Nyack schools need to be actively avoided. In fact, the only Rockland school district that really needs to be actively avoided, would be East Ramapo.

I'm not surprised if there is segregation within the school. Some of that might have to do with residential patterns in terms of ethnic/racial groups too. Even with that, it offers an opportunity for the students to interact with people of different backgrounds, if they so desire.

As for Rockland County school districts, it does look like the only district that one would most likely avoid is East Ramapo. Some say North Rockland too, but when looking at their scores, that also doesn't look too bad either. It could possibly get that reputation or perception due to it's diversity and size as well.

[havoc315]

I can't blame people for choosing to avoid North Rockland Schools. The sheer size can be off putting, and it hardly gets great ratings. If I was moving to Rockland personally, I would likely focus on South Orangetown and Clarkstown.

That said, the only district I would actively warn people against, would be East Ramapo. Ironically, I graduated from East Ramapo 20 years ago.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by havoc315

I can't blame people for choosing to avoid North Rockland Schools. The sheer size can be off putting, and it hardly gets great ratings. If I was moving to Rockland personally, I would likely focus on South Orangetown and Clarkstown.

That said, the only district I would actively warn people against, would be East Ramapo. Ironically, I graduated from East Ramapo 20 years ago.

How was East Ramapo back then? It also is a big school district that is now predominately people of color.

[havoc315]

Back then, East Ramapo was pretty well regarded. Produced merit scholars every year. Known for the huge number of students who took Advanced Placement exams. The school was diverse, and somewhat segregated.

As the diversity and minority population grew, at some point you hit a tipping point on the scale, and the Caucasian population almost entirely pulled out of the schools. Often called "white flight."

It led to East Ramapo really becoming exclusively minority in its student population. I believe the official stats show about a 10% Caucasian student population. Which of course is predominantly lower class. (20 years ago, it was probably 60-70% Caucasian)

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by havoc315

Back then, East Ramapo was pretty well regarded. Produced merit scholars every year. Known for the huge number of students who took Advanced Placement exams. The school was diverse, and somewhat segregated.

As the diversity and minority population grew, at some point you hit a tipping point on the scale, and the Caucasian population almost entirely pulled out of the schools. Often called "white flight."

It led to East Ramapo really becoming exclusively minority in its student population. I believe the official stats show about a 10% Caucasian student population. Which of course is predominantly lower class. (20 years ago, it was probably 60-70% Caucasian)

Yeah, I could tell when my wife and I went to West Nyack to visit a friend. She took us to Spring Valley and the East Ramapo area and you saw quite a few Haitians and Hispanics, but also quite a few older Jews too.

Here's the info. on the district:East Ramapo Central School District (Spring Valley) schools - district elementary, middle, and high school information

Also, I was wondering, does East Ramapo get students from the Ramapo Mountains or does Ramapo get those students? I think Hillburn is a small community where the Ramapo Mountain "Indians" live.

[VA Yankee]

Originally Posted by ckhthankgod

Also, I was wondering, does East Ramapo get students from the Ramapo Mountains or does Ramapo get those students? I think Hillburn is a small community where the Ramapo Mountain "Indians" live.

I am not sure of the number of native americans (or those who claim this) in the Ramapo Mountains. Hillburn was mostly a group called the "Jackson Whites" who lived in the moutains for 200 years before settling in what is now Hillburn. There is a book called Rocklandia which tells the story of this unique group. As for schools they go to Suffern not Ramapo, my wife even attended elementary with them.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by VA Yankee

I am not sure of the number of native americans (or those who claim this) in the Ramapo Mountains. Hillburn was mostly a group called the "Jackson Whites" who lived in the moutains for 200 years before settling in what is now Hillburn. There is a book called Rocklandia which tells the story of this unique group. As for schools they go to Suffern not Ramapo, my wife even attended elementary with them.

"Jackson Whites" is a slang name for the Ramapo Mountain Indians actually. The Ramapough Mountain People : The Jackson Whites

Ramapough Mountain Indians - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[VA Yankee]

Good reference but the move towards recognition as a tribe hadn't occured when I read my reference in the 70's. Otherwise it reads almost word for word. We always knew them as the Jackson Whites...

[Vicman]

Part of what happened is that the Orthodox Jewish (Hasids) moving in do not use public schools, and some people do not want to live near them; they move out of the East Ramapo district.

Do you think the East Ramapo district should be consolidated into the Central Ramapo district, but have the attendance boundaries of the schools mostly remain the same? (The difference is that all of Airmont would be zoned to the same elementary school, etc)

[rusty78]

Originally Posted by Vicman

Part of what happened is that the Orthodox Jewish (Hasids) moving in do not use public schools, and some people do not want to live near them; they move out of the East Ramapo district.

Do you think the East Ramapo district should be consolidated into the Central Ramapo district, but have the attendance boundaries of the schools mostly remain the same? (The difference is that all of Airmont would be zoned to the same elementary school, etc)

The bigger problem is that almost every school budget in East Ramapo is voted down...by the Hasid's...because as you posted...they do not use the public school system...of course this results in larger classes...over crowding...etc...

Consolidated the schools...I do not think you will ever see Airmont opt out of the Ramapo school system to go to the East Ramapo school system...but who knows for sure...