Western New York move (Buffalo, Rochester: house, school districts, college)

[dtharvey]

My husband recently started a job in Batavia, NY. We will be relocating as soon as we sell our current house (not a good time since the market is flooded!). We are trying to decide which area to move into. Batavia is definitely not an option based on what information I have gathered thus far--the ratings are not good for Batavia and it is a bit too rural. Our main concern are the schools and what would be best for our children. My son is ADHD and I am looking for a district that will work well and closely with what is best for my son (some people may understand what I am speaking of..longer testing times, structured environment, matching him appropriately with specific teachers, 504 plan) as well as providing an excellent education. I also would prefer an area that has a high rate of children attending college. My husband wants to stay fairly close to work and we want to stay on the Buffalo side vs. Rochester. I have done some pretty extensive research into all of the areas, but I am looking for advice anybody may have to offer. The areas of interest include Clarence, Williamsville, Akron, Alden. We have also considered Amherst and Lancaster, however, the drive for my husband in these areas have come to approx 45-55 minute drive to work and that is too far. My understanding is that Clarence and Williamsville are upscale larger school districts....which sometimes may not be good for an ADHD child, but if anybody has advice to offer, please offer. We are a middle class family and my concern is that in areas like these my son may get lost in the shuffle and not given the attention he needs; at the same time, there may be more to offer him. I also may be wrong and making assumptions. Akron and Alden would be closer to my husbands job; however, they may not have what we are looking for and what my son needs because they are more rural. The ratings for these schools do seem to be pretty good. From what I have heard, it is a nice middle class area.
Anyhow, if anybody has any advise please feel free to let me know.
Thanks!

[xamsx]

As someone that pays Williamsville school district taxes, I would hope there is a good support system for those who need it. Having friends with kids in the Williamsville school system (my son went private) I've heard nothing bad about the elementary schools. My friends and neighbors have not given glowing reviews on the High Schools. Since the kids around the block graduated last year, everyone I know with high school aged children sends them private. AFAIK none of these children has required special help, however.

My brother's SO's daughter also has learning disabilities and they need to get her out of her current school (Kenmore West) as they are less than pleased with her schooling. They HAVE considered Williamsville (although the taxes are probably unaffordable to them). They are also looking closely at Starpoint.

Yes, many parts of Williamsville and Clarence are upscale. However parts of Clarence are decidely rural.

Here are some tax rates:
Current Tax Rates:

* Akron School District
$15.51/$1,000 (2006-2007)
* Clarence School District
$16.68/$1,000 (2006-2007)
* Alden School District
$17.67/$1,000 (2006-2007)

School tax PDF

[Town&Country]

I grew up in Lancaster but I went to Catholic school there (St. Mary's) and went to Attica high school, our family had moved to Bennington in 1973. As I remember, there was a sub system for students with special needs, it was called BOCES, board of cooperational educational services. Whether it is still functioning I do not know. Xamax may know whether it is still an option. Students attended school in Attica for the first half of the day, then rode a bus to the boces program for the latter part of the day. Back then, the programs were in Batavia, around a 20-25 minute drive cutting through Alexander. You might want to go look at the Attica/Bennington/Cowlesville/Varysburg area too instead of looking just west and westnorthwest. You and your family should certainly enjoy Western New York, there is a lot to do with a million excellent day trips available from that area. I'll be moving back home next year and almost crazy with anticipation. I'll be going to the Lancaster area more than likely. Good Luck with everything!!

[dtharvey]

My son is a 9-year-old that does not have any true educational disabilities. He is actually in a gifted program where we are now. He had been through the entire testing process by psychologists etc. We are in PA which requires school systems to have special programs for gifted individuals. I understand that NY schools have no requirement for giftedness, and that it is on an individual school basis. We are sometimes at a disadvantage with his ADHD disability due to the fact that he does not need special education.

[xamsx]

dtharvey, you might do better to give the district administration in the areas in which you are looking a call. They'll be able to tell you what programs are available, G&T guidelines for the district, special testing, etc.

WNY School links

[Sabres Cutie]

Originally Posted by dtharvey

My son is a 9-year-old that does not have any true educational disabilities. He is actually in a gifted program where we are now. He had been through the entire testing process by psychologists etc. We are in PA which requires school systems to have special programs for gifted individuals. I understand that NY schools have no requirement for giftedness, and that it is on an individual school basis. We are sometimes at a disadvantage with his ADHD disability due to the fact that he does not need special education.

A child with ADHD that needs accommodations during/for school instruction technically has an "educational disability". Your child's 504 is there to assist students with special needs who are in a regular education setting 100% of the time. 9 times out of 10 a special educator will make sure a 504 is being followed by the regular ed teachers.

I have worked in one of the districts you had mentioned in your search, and I can say, as a special educator, that NONE of the kids with special needs were lost in the shuffle.

My two cents: NY schools are far better in the long run for students with disabilities than those in PA.

[Sabres Cutie]

Originally Posted by Town&Country

I grew up in Lancaster but I went to Catholic school there (St. Mary's) and went to Attica high school, our family had moved to Bennington in 1973. As I remember, there was a sub system for students with special needs, it was called BOCES, board of cooperational educational services. Whether it is still functioning I do not know. Xamax may know whether it is still an option. Students attended school in Attica for the first half of the day, then rode a bus to the boces program for the latter part of the day. Back then, the programs were in Batavia, around a 20-25 minute drive cutting through Alexander. You might want to go look at the Attica/Bennington/Cowlesville/Varysburg area too instead of looking just west and westnorthwest. You and your family should certainly enjoy Western New York, there is a lot to do with a million excellent day trips available from that area. I'll be moving back home next year and almost crazy with anticipation. I'll be going to the Lancaster area more than likely. Good Luck with everything!!

Info on BOCES:

BOCES is a public organization that provides shared educational programs and services to school districts. It helps school districts save money by providing opportunities to pool resources and share costs. Every BOCES is a little different, depending on the needs of the local school districts.

A large percentage of BOCES programs are instructional, they serve students with classroom programs and services. Examples of instructional programs are vocational-technical programs for high school students, physical and occupational therapy for students with disabilities, and literacy programs for adults.

The remaining programs are called support services. Although they are not classroom programs, support services are still very important because they relate to the education of students, and because they help school districts save money. This frees up resources to better serve students directly. Examples of support services are staff development, central bus maintenance, the central business office, regional computer centers.


I believe Attica/Bennington/Cowlesville/Varysburg are all serviced by Attica Central Schools.