I would value anyone's opinion on Salamanca schools... (Buffalo, Olean: upper-class, house)

[lookingtoleaveNY]

Elementary, middle or high school. I know their rankings are nothing to be too impressed with, but if anyone has any experience or opinions on this district, please share them with me. We are moving from an upper-class suburb outside of Buffalo to take a job transfer in Olean. We found a house outside of the Salamanca city limits, but still in the district. Any thoughts? Big mistake?

[BuffaloGoo]

Hi lookingtoleaveNY, I have family in Salamanca so I am pretty familiar with the area. Sorry to disappoint you but I know my uncle pays about $500 a year for his kids to go to the school in Ellicottville because the one in Salamanca is so bad. I don't know if you could afford that but it's an option. Let me know if you need anymore help.

[ckhthankgod]

There are Catholic schools in Olean too. For high school children, they can go to Archbishop Walsh. K-8 students got to Southern Tier Catholic.

[lookingtoleaveNY]

BuffaloGoo, Thank you for the reply. I actually graduated from Ellicottville back in 1994. I went there for about 3 years. I have visited the Salamanca schools, both elementary buildings as well as the middle school. They seem fine, the kids seem happy. Could you possibly tell me what things your uncle dislikes about the schools? I am moving near the cutoff point for Salamanca/EVille schools, but within the Salamanca district. I am not opposed to sending the kids to Ellicottville if need be (I didn't know if I was allowed without some "creative" address switches) but I'd really like an insider's view of Sala. schools...I know anyone can put on a good show for an hour-long tour. Thanks a bunch!

[BuffaloGoo]

lookingtoleaveNY, the next time I talked to my uncle I will ask him more about Salamanca Schools. My cousin used to clean the high school after the kids left for the day so I can ask her what she thought of it as well. I went in there one day to pick her up and it actually seemed pretty nice, it was clean and there was no kids acting up when I was there. I will get back to you as soon as I can.

[BuffaloGoo]

Hey lookingtoleaveNY, I talked to my uncle and he said that he deiced to send his kids to school Ellicottville instead of Salamanca basically because of the difference in the schools ranking. Ellicottville is rank in the top ten and Salamanca is ranked as one of the last. I think the Buffalo schools are the only schools underneath Salamanca. It doesn't sound like there are too many problem at the school, it's just ranked low. You could always try a year at Salamanca and see how it goes. I hope that helps.
PS. Where are you moving from? You will have to keep me updated on how you like living in Salamanca compared to where you are now.

[kxl07]

I have some friends that have attend Salamanca School and some that still do. It really isn't a good school unless your child is in special ed or alternative ed (GED). Those departments and the teachers that work in them are outstanding and do not compare to any other school district in the area. However the regular schooling is alot different. The teachers are not in control of the kids at all, there is alot of racisim, bullying, and just fighting in general. It has gotten so bad that alot of kids have transfered over to Cattaraugus Little Valley which isn't to far from there.